Getting to Grips with the Rough Stuff

My learning continues in my surf ski and I’ve been getting to grips with the rough stuff. I know, I know, I should really be working on paddling technique and efficiency as that’s what I’ll need for races, but I just can’t resist getting out and playing in the waves. I’m sure it’s a fairly good interval workout in its own right and it certainly helps with my balance.

To think, just 6 months ago I could barely sit in the ski on flat water and found it very unstable. Today I was out in some fairly choppy waters with a decent swell getting thrown all over the place. I’m certainly no expert but I coped pretty well all things considered – who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks!

When I saw the conditions I did think that maybe I had bitten off more than I could chew and expected it to be quite a challenge. However, once I was on the water I found it all fairly easy. I punched straight out through the waves, paddled around a little bit out the back and had some good bumpy rides back in. Repeated many times of course. The waves were by no means perfect. There was wind blown swell from the NW mixed in with a groundswell from the SW and some chop on top of the swell just to mix things up a bit more. I was tossed and turned but managed for the most part to stay upright. I did get knocked off once but soon re-mounted and continued on my way.

As I say, it doesn’t do much for my speed or paddling technique but it certainly makes things seem easier once I’m on flat water and it’s just so much fun! I love it when you catch a wave and the nose of the ski buries deep into the water in front of you. Paddling out through the waves is just as much fun as catching them too.

1 Response

  1. Avatar forComment Author Mum says:

    No one can ever accuse you of not living your life to the full and having fun!
    You certainly remounted ( if that’s what its called) ) quickly enough xxx

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Alan Cole

Alan is a Freelance Website Designer, Sports & Exercise Science Lab Technician and full time Dad & husband with far too many hobbies: Triathlete, Swimming, Cycling, Running, MTBing, Surfing, Windsurfing, SUPing, Gardening, Photography.... The list goes on.

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