nisurfkayak blog: July 2006

Saturday, July 15, 2006

short surfkayak and waveski video clip

Back down to our local break again on Thu eve. Some decent sized waves were coming in but an onshore breeze was making them fairly lumpy and choppy. After a very frustrating half hour trying in vain to find somewhere to launch my HP surfkayak on the steep rocky shore I gave up and borrowed one of Marty's waveskis. I was pretty apprehensive about my first surf on a ski in over a year, especially given the conditions, but after a few tentative waves I started to enjoy myself. Chloe showed great commitment catching the bigger set waves and Marty was ripping on his ski as usual.

Again thanks to Maggie for videoing.

Harry

// posted by nisurfkayak @ 12:40 pm 0 comments

Thursday, July 13, 2006

more waves

click on image for slideshow

Hi all,

Gonna write some more words this time :-) .

Back at our local break again on Tuesday evening. The waves were a little disappointing. Smaller than expected with more west in the wind than we'd hoped for. High tide was killing what waves there were so we decided to wait for a while to see if it improved any as the tide dropped out. Time then to exercise the dogs, let the kit dry out a bit more and talk to some Cavan paddlers who had just arrived. John we knew with his riot, Peaches with a red dagger playboat and Frosty a brand new Mega Impluse.

As soon as the formal introductions were over the first decent set rolled in and it was a race to get on the water. Getting in was tricky on the rocky shoreline and the high tide was covering the kelp slipway which is normally so useful. The plastic playboats had no problem though and soon we were all on the water. Dessie opted to paddle over to the outer reef where the waves are generally a bit bigger and more committing. We decided to stay at the inner reef leaving the well known left-hander (once a secret spot) for the eight or so board surfers already on the water.

Small waves were coming in with the odd shoulder high set (SUS measure) evey now and again to keep us happy, although it was hard not to wonder if Dessie and Chloe, who had followed him out, were getting better waves. Twenty minutes later and they arrived back with reports of shifting peaks and close-outs. Dessie kept paddling on over to join the boardies in his quest for bigger waves and to keep us wondering if the grass really is greener.

Another hour and plenty of waves for everyone. John was working his Riot playboat well to keep it in the pocket and making some fast sections, Frosty was getting some nice long runs in his new Mega and Peaches was happy practising his kickflips and drop-ins – although he only did drop-in on John in the the other plastic boat ;-)

Time to leave with the sun setting behind us. Home to edit the pics and check the swell for tomorrow.

Thanks to Maggie for taking the photos.

Harry

// posted by nisurfkayak @ 4:20 pm 0 comments