Go Kayak Now! » Steamer Lane

Surf Forecast for Steamer Lane 3-26-2010

kwikle — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:44:35 +0000

I hope this surf forecast improves from what it looks like here. Why do contests and group events always suck the karma right out of the surf forecast?… More than three people getting together to surf is a guarantee of sucky conditions.

Santa Cruz Surf Kayak Festival 2010 Teaser Video

kwikle — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:30:26 +0000

Here’s to the hope that steamer lane in Santa Cruz California will have some legendary waves for surf kayaking March 26-28th 2010.

And just for those who can’t keep it straight due to the two Santa Cruz’s.

They had the Ocean Spirit Surf Kayak World Championship in Santa Cruz Portugal in 2009. But they also have a Surf Kayak Festival every year in Santa Cruz California. Both have a judged surf contest.

I will be in California prior to the contest, but not during, so I will follow the details online here.

This video is a teaser promo with some highlights from 2009 courtesy of the Portuguese siteKayaksurf.net.

Updated Results From Santa Cruz Surf Kayak Festival

kwikle — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:12:48 +0000

This is the official Santa Cruz Surf Kayak Festival Competition results page.

Canoe and Kayak Magazine online had an awesome, if self-deprecating article on the competition called, Ego Tripping at the Santa Cruz Surf Kayak Festival.

Joe Berry, the author of the article gives some insight into how tough the scoring can be. As I have often thought of showing up in the amateur class. I think I better work on my chops first!!!

Also the San Jose Mercury News also wrote an article about the comp.

I hope there might be some more footage coming on youtube with a bit of commentary on which surfer is which.

Video-Locals Only Surfer Comedy Skit with Ben Stiller

kwikle — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:02:13 +0000

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.

Kayak Surfing the Unfriendly Breaks

kwikle — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:13:33 +0000

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.