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The New York Times posted a great article about the history of aerial maneuvers in board surfing.

Surf Kayaking has experienced a similar revolution in it’s judged competitions. Aerials maneuvers in kayak surfing, and wave ski competitions are now a high scoring maneuver that does not count against the competitor, and instead scores highly. Judged competitions of course are always the tight end of the funnel for what is cool and acceptable in surfing.

The idea for board surfing was to begin mixing in skateboarding and snowboarding related maneuvers into the competition. The move in the video where it is an aerial loop is pretty out there, and I could see granting full points to a surfer who pulled this move off in a competition. The old guard had long held onto the idea that long duration rides, getting tubed, and pulling off good bottom turns and cutbacks was the bread and butter of the sport. As you can see from the video, it’s a totally different paradigm.

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While encased in the ice and snow of midwest winter it is nice to hear about other far off lands where board surfing is picking up. I know that kayak surfing is what I am usually blathering on about, but I think it is great when we hear about some new untapped surfing region. Liberia as a surf spot you ask? Clearly the picture says it all.

For those that don’t know where Liberia is, this map may help.

The New York Times covered the local surf spot of Robertsport Liberia They are naming it as Africa’s best surf spot. Liberia has had its share of troubles with civil war and child soldiers that made the press. This New York Times article seems to be leaning the other way and saying, hey come for a visit….

A local Benjamin McCrumada said this after trying surfing for the first time.

Benjamin managed to stand on the board, for 10 seconds. And that was all it took. For those 10 seconds, he said, he forgot he was living in a postwar zone. He was gliding on top of the Atlantic, wave crashing, heart bursting with the freedom of it. “I felt like I was on a motorcycle,” he said, smiling. “I was so happy. I didn’t know you could do this.”

Funny how all of us that get hooked on surfing have a similar story to tell about the first time we caught a ride on a wave.

Add it to the list of must surfs.

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The New York Times wrote an excellent travel piece about winter surfing on Lake Superior.

The waves in the pictures are stellar, clean spillers, not the norm on the north shore by any stretch of the imagination, don’t be fooled.

They also mentioned the venerable Superior Surf Club. Great article about the fresh water surfing phenomenon. I would love to see some growth in the Great Lakes Kayak Surfing club. Oh wait, there isn’t one? Did I just start it? I soooo did. Anyway…Our winter surfing is somewhat limited at the moment by 4 foot pack ice about 200 yards out. We need some meltage and soon.

Is it clear that I am dreaming of open water and waves, even if it is cold.

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Surf Kayak ACA Instructor Certification

When I was in Santa Cruz last year, Valley Surf Paddler Sean Morely was undertaking the ACA Surf ICW. It seems that the ACA has created a blog for the Surf Committee. Once I caught wind of my impending visit to the Virginia Beach area I started inquiring about the possibility of doing a Surf ICW.

Michigan native Scott Fairty has already undertaken this ICW and wrote a great post about his experience.

I am thinking of making the trip down to Virginia Beach for the Surf Event this fall, though it would be terrifically convenient if I could squeeze it in this spring when I am in Virginia Beach. We all know that won’t happen.

What is apparent and terrifically convenient is that the ACA is beginning to take Surf Kayaking seriously. I am not one to think that an ACA ICW/IDW…what have you will be a panacea for what ails the paddling word. But it is a signpost on the road that goes in the right direction for surf paddling. This is good for two main reasons.

Accessibility of Surf Specific Equipment

One thing that will continue to plague the development of Surf Kayaking in the US is access to surf specific kayaks. Until this changes there will be a lot of white water boats and sea kayaks being used for surfing. In reality this is a good way to begin, because it gets people in the surf zone and developing skills across disciplines. But in the long run, it short changes the development of really good surf skills. A white water boat really does not surf or carve at all like a surf kayak. They lack sufficient hull speed and are thrown into the white water or pearl out and nose dive on steep take offs. The paddler never really gets the feel for surf specific maneuvers and cannot really surf. Sea kayaks are almost worse in that they can surf anything. But they surf it with complete reckless abandon. They will bongo slide three foot surf anywhere taking out swimmers and boardies like Conan the Barbarian.

Surf kayaking is sort of a new sport. It had a brief run in the late 70s and early 80s and then some dark days. And then it was slowly reborn back into popularity. There are few good surf kayak manufacturers. Valley has launched their surf kayak line with great success. Riot is now stepping into the ring. And there are a few low key west coast providers such as Dick Wold and Vince Shay’s designs at Murky Waters. Also there is the enigma of Mega Surf Kayaks who make a great product, but seem to be unable to land a distributor for their kayaks in the US. Malcolm (bless his heart) I believe has tried but with little success to find the proverbial Great River Outfitters to be his business partner in the US. However unlike Valley and GRO, there is no mass appeal for a sport that holds its greatest lure among those who believe that being cold, wet, and terrified is a good lifestyle choice, (this website is clearly advocating this as a good way to go!). So unless you live either right next to a Valley dealer, or in Northern California, there are few surf specific kayak choices available now. I am hoping Valley and Riot will change all of that. And Riot in particular seems to be making all of the right moves with the launch of their new surf kayak line.

Surf Training & Advocacy

Without those who know the skills to help those who don’t there won’t be new surf paddlers. My first indoctrination into surf specific kayaking was buying a Riot Boogie after hearing about it from a guy on paddling.net. To this date, I know of one other Great Lakes Kayak Surfer. And by this I mean, a guy with a surf kayak that will go out when it is rough out. One other guy in the whole of my west coast. I’ve been trying to get people to try it for almost 4 years now. No takers, except this one guy (Joe Deja). When I went to the west coast, I found I performed adequately, not terrific, but adequately. I managed to catch and ride waves in a surf kayak without shaming myself. But I have to believe that this pursuit of mine could be shared by others.

The complaint that surf paddlers frequently have is based on being treated unfairly, if not with outright hostility in prime surf spots shared with stand up board surfers. And this is mainly due to surf paddlers, who surf like either white water kayakers, or sea kayakers, or nowhere in between. As one of the ACA’s mission statements and goals is to increase advocacy and access for paddlers, this new training and assessment would seem to be a great way to get the message out to paddlers. And this would be especially so for paddlers who frequent areas where multiple use breaks (Stand up surfers and kayak surfers) are prevalent.

I believe that the ACA ICW and ICE could potentially be way to start course correcting on these two issues. If the ACA will teach the rules of the road that surfers are using to paddlers this may go a long way to steering paddlesports back into union with the board surfing community. And if there are more people taking the surf kayaking discipline as an instruction path, then more people may potentially hear about it, and it won’t be me and two other guys in Michigan!

So watch the Surf Committe Blog for when the Surf IDW is finalized. If you are from the Midwest and want to make the trip let me know. I had an e-mail exchange with Ben Lawry who is now the ITE so I may have to make it a date.

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Surf Kayaking Event September 19-21

Michael Gray of Uncommon Adventures will be hosting the Flotnar Sea Farers Assembly now known as Sleeping Bear Surffest. Kayak Surfers, Kite Surfers and Board Surfers Come on Up!!!!

The weekend will be hosted at Moonshadow Herb Farm. Space is limited to 30 participants. I will be signing up and bringing surf kayaks for those that would like to try their hand at a dedicated surf craft on the Great Lakes. Let us pray for the wind to make it necessary.

Meals are potlucks with main courses provided by Uncommon Adventures. The accommodations are tent camping! Moonshadow Herb farm is a private camp with hot showers, sauna, wooded tent area, covered outdoor kitchen, covered dining and fire pit. It’s located about 1 mile from Lake Michigan here in the heart of Sleeping Bear Country.If you need to rent camping gear call Michael! (866-882-5525).

Register for the Uncommon Adventures Sleeping Bear Surf Fest Online Now

Note Very Important
Michael will be sending specific directions and other info about meals after registration.

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Have a look at this photo:

I am by no means a surf safety nazi. But having been on the receiving end of bad vibes for no good reason while paddle surfing in both northern california and southern california, this sort of thing makes us look pretty careless.

A 170 lbs paddler endoing an 18′ foot long sea kayak in a mixed break is asking to get himself creamed by some meth-heads and as a result the rest of us will pay the collective karma on this.

Of course it looks cool. Of course he might be further away than he looks in the photo. But even I will be the first to say a sea kayak has little place in a crowded break. I can just picture him high bracing and bongo sliding his way through the break zone wiping out boardies left and right.

Sigh. After the articles in the Santa Cruz Newspaper we need to be getting better, not worse.

Your thoughts!

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Comedy Skit with Ben Stiller of the Locals Only Surf Beach

I’m not sure how old this skit is, or on which tv show it might have first appeared. Based on the fact that the Malone Brothers are in it, it seems likely it is recent. I’m pretty sure I met these guys on the boardwalk right next to Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz.

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In the three times I’ve kayak surfed in California there’s always been a bad vibe from board surfers. Until you sort of creep out and slowly surf the premium part of the break. You have to show them that you aren’t going to kill them when you wipe out.

There was an interesting article with some editorial comments posted in the “Santa Cruz Sentinel”:http://santacruzlive.com/blogs/surf/2008/03/17/some-discussion-on-surf-kayakers/#comment-128
about the “Surf Kayaking Competition”:http://www.asudoit.com/kayak_fest/ in Santa Cruz.

It sounded like the editorial was fairly balanced, but that the comments got a little out of whack.

For my part as a visitor, I always approach with humility, but if I lived there I am not sure where I would fall on the militant line of rights to surf where I like.