Was not targeting you per se with my comments but I realized some folks may mis-read what "coaching" means to me. Surfing perhaps more than other form of kayaking requires you to just be out there and to do without anyone really being next to you. They can't because of the dynamics of the surf. Even in ww, a coach can stay within a reasonable distance and offer advice in the milder class waters. In seakayaking, "coaching" can almost be akin to "holding folks' hands" in the "coach" being right there talking through it.
Ain't gonna happen in surf. Someone can watch and offer suggestions AFTER THE FACT. But, ultimately, you got to jump on that wave and ride it alone...
Surf is about sole responsibility and freedom. Just got back from Maine where I finished this wonderful little book about surfing, Dancing The Wave, published by Shambala Press no less. (Anyone who knows Shambala Press will know that the book won't be just about the "sport" of surfing....) It's a wonderful book that captures a lot of my incipient feelings about surfing and articulates far more since I new to it.
Paddle Surfing Etiquette A good start to learning the rules / protocol of surfing can be found on the San Onofre Paddle Surfing Asso. website: http://www.sopsa.org. Check the Etiquette page.
Newbees should be welcome If you are choosing an easy beach, newbees should be invited to participate and get some pointers … surfing is not like whitewater , sure you can get hurt but if you wear a helmet and protect your head neck and shoulders injuries are usually minor and the worst that usually happens is you go for a long swim. We’ve introduced lots of people to surfing in small groups, its not a big deal. Somebody should offer some basic instruction and surf etiquette and let them have at it. You might want to make sure that people show up with surf specific equipment though and not seakayaks.
The expression sessions in California are very different, they seem to be groups of well experienced surfers,… at the one I attended I was the least skilled of the bunch.
comfort in the surf zone is probably the most important thing. I grew up going out to Jones Beach every weekend, body surfing, and once in a while ending up in what we called the washing machine. No fun, but the price of admission. I have a good roll, a fast wet exit (from before I had a good roll), and would love to learn the ins and outs of playing in the surf with some experienced (and fun) people. I almost came to watch the winter session, but couldn’t convince any of my driving friends to join me. It should be easier in the spring, or I’ll just rent a car.
Nahant Could Be Good… There were remanant easterly swells coming in this morning and running straight in 15-17 mph nw winds. The 2-3’ waves, with about 8 second intervals, were getting stacked nicely by the opposing wind. Clean faces, nice shoulders and rolling breaks with nice pockets in front.
I got in about 2.5 hours with my Boogie. Redialed the fit with more outfitting and moved the fins up to just under the seat. She was unbelievable! We were running diagonally across the wave faces, just in front of the pocket, and busting back over the lip before the waves closed. I almost felt like I knew I was doing.
When I got out of the water, some middle age guy was moving quickly towards me, looking me straight in the eye. What the heck? Is this trouble or what? Guy said, “Sorry to bother you but I was watching you surf for well over half hour… You looked great!” Turned out that the guy grew in Hawaii and seen a lot of surfing. He is now in NE and a year round sea kayaker. He said he had never seen anyone surf kayak before out in Nahant. Said he was excited just watching someone surf and wanted to know about surf boats. I gave him quick run down, told him a session is being planned and he should keep an eye out for the message board. Okay, I admit it… it was bit of an ego boost to hear someone say that he was impressed with my riding.
“Hopupu” (?spelling) - that subliminal state of mind when one achieves unity with the wave… Estasy. That be it for me today.
yah, he’s showing all the symptoms now… pretty soon he’ll be blasting the stereo on the way home after a pumped session. surf addiction is serious, but nothing bigger waves won’t cure. yikes!!
Does It Count… If the car stereo was tuned to Magic 105 (soft rock) and listening at decibels less than a rock concert?
I admit to being addicted to surf. But that ain’t my sole addiction. Got in some nice downhill runs on Friday. Oh man… 30 degree air temp, no wind and perfect sunshine to complement packed powder trails. Surf and Ski… what a awesome weekend I had.
Hey Sing? Sounds like the Boogie is great. Have you seen Vince Shay’s video Search 2 …? If you want to be inspired you should see some of the surfing. I guess you will if you are headed to Santa Cruz … should be great. We got out yesterfsy A.M. but the waves are actually too big today, impossible to get outside and live through it.
Actually SXkayaker has the tape and offered to loan it. I'll get around to it. :)
Yeah, looking forward to Santa Cruz. Looks like some of the "big" riders will be there. Will be fun to watch. :)
While I look forward to getting out there, I 'll admit that the thought of getting back into a rental ww boat to surf is not thrilling me. Going from a plain ww boat to a Trickster with fins to the Boogie, I can see and feel how all the different features are needed to work optimally in surf. While I could ride the Trickster down line, with the fins in place, there is no way (at least for me) to rip back up the wave face and bust over the lip the way I was able to in the Boogie. It was the weirdest and most thrilling sensation to be riding almost parallel to the lip, see the wave begin to close, and to zoom outa there before the wave collapses on me. Couple of times, I thought I must have caught some air on the way up the lip and out because of the way I "PLOPPED" down behind the wave rather than the usual slide down the wave's backside.
Anyway, I am gonna just clear my head of equipment obsession when I get out and focus on just "being there" on the waves with other riders. :)
Have read your posts about the Boogie. I have tried to get additional information about it and dealers at the Riot site but they do not show it. Is it still available and who should I contact. I live in Fl and have been surfing a Parahna Surf Jet for 8 years. I have broken 2 of them and while I can still use one of them I need to get either another Jet or something else. Your Boogie sounds interesting and probably a lot more challenging than a Surf Jet.
The comment I read a lot on various searches on the boogie is that you really max out in the boat at 170-180 lbs. Over this, you really need to some skills to overcome the lack of volume in the boat.
I think the Boogie went into production for only one year -- 2001 -- and was quickly discontinued unfortunately. There just was not enough demand from what I can gather. That just about does away with an relatively affordable alternative to the composite boats out there, some of which are custom boats and costing (appropriately) more. Every once in awhile, you'll see a boogie show up on swap boards, here and there. Boatertalk gearswap and BT's Surf Zone forum are the best places to check. However, I got mine from a p-net classified. The previous owner is a guy who lived 3 hours from surf... The boat is essentially brand new! :)
PS composite makes custom boats along the designs of some of the more known surf kayakers/designers.
Necky is about to release it's composite Spyder designed by Spike Gladwin. And Wavesport also has a boat out in the past year. I just read the announcement that Fiberglass Spyder will come out at slightly less than $1600. The prices for the kevelar and, perhaps, a titanium model are reflectively higher.
They go for around $350 to $400 bucks on the west coast, more if in really good shape. Make sure you are in the right weight range, not very good if you are over 180 lbs.
