Guest guest Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 I went up to York Saturday afternoon to surf with Andrew and Jim F. I would say the average wave was 6'+. They were very regular, long and spaced far apart, very simple and predictable. We had some pretty good rides. We were all in WW boats. Looking at the beach, things seemed not as big as they sounded in the reports. As rusty as we (I am) are at ocean surfing, much more would have been dangerous. The only time I've been seriously hurt kayaking was a shoulder separation while ocean surfing in waves very much smaller than these. That was by an overly extended stern rudder on the wave side, but in a sea kayak. I think there's less danger in WW boats. So that's going through my head. The first 30 minute in the water were a little ragged with everyone getting "Maytaged" to some extent, until we figured things out and waited for a blank spot to show in one small area to paddling out through. I must have rolled 10 times in that half hour. At times I know I was fully extended upside down just hanging onto the paddle as the force tried to rip it out of my hands. For a while the good rides came one after the next, you didn't even need to paddle much to get on. We had some, long, diagonal shoulder rides usually getting off after they took us way down the beach but before they broke. I was keeping my elbows in and stayed with a beach side stern rudder, this way you push rather than pull, so no way to get hurt this way. I think the longer flat bottom ww boats do a much better job that the stubby short playboats for simple wave riding. This kind of boat is hard to find. The old Necky Rip was good. Prijon now makes the 10'-2" "Athlete", I think its a new version of the Hurricane that I have, just nicer out fitting. This boat works well for simple wave riding, no tricks, although, a skilled rodeo paddler could cartwheel it. Jim was in a very short 7' boat of mine and it was though to just get out past the break, but again, in the hands of a rodeo paddler they do lots of tricks. Andrew did well in a Pyranha, not sure the length or model, but its long enough to get out and seemed to ride well. There were moments where everyone looked like they really knew what they were doing. If we could get a few days in a row of this, we'd be all set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 Hey Ken, I thought that you sold your "surf boat". Dee Hall Impex Currituck, Blue over Ivory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 So, I thought I was gonna write the 'trip' report, here's the rest of the weekend anyway... (nb. The author holds no responsibility for wave size exaggerations giving the wrong impression of participant skill-level or coolness). A reconnaissance trip to Long Sands early on Saturday morning proved the forecasts correct as glassy swells rolled raced gracefully to the beach. A couple of cell phone calls and a show-and-surf was organized. Ken, Jim and I hurried white-water boats to the beach, paranoid this rare treat East coast had already started to subside. It hadn’t and first taste was the arduous task of getting beyond the breakers in little boats – everyone received nasal enemas and bruises as boats and paddlers were pounded upon. But it was worth it. Whether you choose to ‘bongo’ surf to the beach, or tried sliding and turning on the wave, it was enormous fun. There were spectacular rides to be had on 3-7 footers, and they just kept coming. Everyone got mashed, but everyone popped back up. We surfed until 6.00, and when Alex came home, she and I surfed again. The glassy swells went away when the tide turned and the waves seemed bigger as it started to dump. Poor light stopped play. Sunday, a little work had to be done, but Alex, Chris and I raced back to Long Sands after closing shop to find there was something still rolling in. Much calmer, but more organized than Saturday and ‘yahooo’ rides were had again. We were on the water until it was dark again. Great waves on a weekend? There is a god. And… 3-7 feet is the honest truth, no, I’m not kidding this time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2003 Share Posted September 9, 2003 Andrew, Where were the 3' waves, I was looking for them? Dee, I sold my Rip, with an offer to good to pass up. They don't make them any more and for a 150 lb person they are a great surf boat. I got a new Hurricane, it's 10'-2", fast boat, based on a WW slalom design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2003 Share Posted September 9, 2003 for the NE coast from the sound of it. I am jealous given that you had 'em pretty much to yourself. Reports from Jenness/NH were that it was very crowded. Anyway, E-NE wind chops/waves are supposed to prevail all the way to the weekend. They are not and will not be anywhere as clean as the swells generated by Fabian. Outside chance that Isabelle will turn north-northeast, like Fabian, after a trek towards Carribean and Florida coasts. Timing... Who knows? sing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.