SUP In The Rain
By Tom
I am kicking myself a bit about this post. We just got the new Go-Pro wide angle cameras in, but I did not get the memory cards and batteries until last night! So here is another all text post - I promise video next time!
Yesterday was the second straight day of non-stop rain. They were truly continuous downpours that flooded Amala place and dampened many spirits.
Bruno Andre somehow convinced Bart and I (along with his girlfriend Fab) to go for a quick SUP session at Kanaha. I opted for the Starboard 11'2" which is a really nice riding board. I went for the channel while Bart went straight out to the peak. He got lucky and claimed the first wave of the day. A fairly sizable set came in but I blew it getting dropped out of the back. Unfortunately there was a bigger wave behind (a little over head high) that was already breaking. I knew the only option was to lie down to catch the white water. It worked a treat except I was engulfed in foam and lost the paddle. There was no stopping the board and it took me all the way to the inside. I then had to paddle (lying down of course) all the way back out to the middle of the impact zone to retrive my paddle. I got a serious ass kicking before I managed to make it back out again.
I have to say the waves were a lot bigger than they looked like from the beach. The sets were over head high and definately the biggest I've ever been on on a SUP board! Bart charged the biggest wave I saw all day (must have been close to 10ft face) as I was frantically paddling out. He lasted almost 2 seconds! There was just the four of us one surfer and two other SUPers out. For waves like that the place is normally packed with 50 surfers. I guess people don't like to surf in the rain here. Our group consisting of Dutch, French and British surfers were familiar with the concept! It was great fun despite the pouring rain and I think I learned alot. The highlight was probably when Bruno, Bart and myself all caught the same wave and somehow did not run into each other. I would not have gone out if it had not been for Bruno dragging me out of the office - thanks mate!
I am kicking myself a bit about this post. We just got the new Go-Pro wide angle cameras in, but I did not get the memory cards and batteries until last night! So here is another all text post - I promise video next time!
Yesterday was the second straight day of non-stop rain. They were truly continuous downpours that flooded Amala place and dampened many spirits.
Bruno Andre somehow convinced Bart and I (along with his girlfriend Fab) to go for a quick SUP session at Kanaha. I opted for the Starboard 11'2" which is a really nice riding board. I went for the channel while Bart went straight out to the peak. He got lucky and claimed the first wave of the day. A fairly sizable set came in but I blew it getting dropped out of the back. Unfortunately there was a bigger wave behind (a little over head high) that was already breaking. I knew the only option was to lie down to catch the white water. It worked a treat except I was engulfed in foam and lost the paddle. There was no stopping the board and it took me all the way to the inside. I then had to paddle (lying down of course) all the way back out to the middle of the impact zone to retrive my paddle. I got a serious ass kicking before I managed to make it back out again.
I have to say the waves were a lot bigger than they looked like from the beach. The sets were over head high and definately the biggest I've ever been on on a SUP board! Bart charged the biggest wave I saw all day (must have been close to 10ft face) as I was frantically paddling out. He lasted almost 2 seconds! There was just the four of us one surfer and two other SUPers out. For waves like that the place is normally packed with 50 surfers. I guess people don't like to surf in the rain here. Our group consisting of Dutch, French and British surfers were familiar with the concept! It was great fun despite the pouring rain and I think I learned alot. The highlight was probably when Bruno, Bart and myself all caught the same wave and somehow did not run into each other. I would not have gone out if it had not been for Bruno dragging me out of the office - thanks mate!
posted by Jeffrey, Glenn and Tom at
1/29/2009 01:43:00 PM
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