Article in Outsider

Got a good mention in the August issue of outsider magazine, check it out!:



http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/3af0faa8#/3af0faa8/23

Surf Kayaking in Kerry

So, I spent the last two weeks surf kayaking on Brandon Bay, in County Kerry. Got some days of savage surf, having probably the best session of my life in a high-tide shore break on Friday! Conditions were perfect, with a light offshore wind helping to make the wave fast, heavy and hollow! The general idea was to drop in as far behind the peak as you dared, set the rail, tuck up and pray that it spat you out again! The wave was holding up so well that I was able to get so deep in the barrel that the whole boat was covered, and then make it out again! The local boardies couldnt believe their eyes! ...The only down side was the wipe outs, when the waves are like that theres lots of them, and they hurt, since the water was max 3ft deep where the waves were breaking!

I had a few other good sessions, one other one was when the waves were all closing out and I decided it was a good time to learn to air, with varying degrees of unsuccessfulness! Heres a video of the attempts, I am getting pretty close!!



And one other pic from during the week:

Clare Glens

Just back from a brilliant run on the Glens with Kev and a few other lads. Level was .6, the best I've got it in a very long time! It was just enough to get up over all the rocks, without making anything too hairy. I was trying out a Big Dog Flux, which is a lovely design and so nice to boof, I dont think I got my deck wet at all going over any of the bigger drops! The only trouble is durability and the few big dents left in the bottom after the run. Oops. I didnt even hit anything that hard! I'd hate to see what its like after a scrapey run! And fair play to Francis, there isnt many people whose first run on the Glens is at that level, never mind not even having roll on the way down! All that was missing was finishing it off with the traditional bridge jump! Heres praying for rain for the next few days, or god forbid I might have to resort to mountain biking for the weekend! ...God life is hard during the summer!

Surf Kayak intro day

Last weekend saw the second beginners/intermediates surf kayak intro day. We got perfect waves for it, just right for getting people into the surf in play boats and into proper surf kayaks for the first time. We brought down a few lads from the Scouts who had a brilliant time at it, and were paddling unreal in the surf boats. So much so that now they want to borrow the two club ones for a while. Looks like the competitions on for the 2011 junior team!!

Brendan ripping.

Oisin trying some freestyle moves.

The rest of the pics are at http://picasaweb.google.com/105256852763146999485/17072010WaveskiAndSurfkayakIntroductionDay# .

Keep an eye on paddlesurf.ie for details about any similar events and upcoming competitions.

Working

After sorting out a job in Kilfinane Outdoor Education Centre, teaching kayaking, rock climbing, mtb ect, in return for mountain biking and rock climbing leadership qualifications. Check them out: http://www.kilfinaneoec.com/ . They run REC and first aid courses as well as kayaking, rock climbing, and hill walking skills courses and assessments. Delighted! Everythings on track for getting a job somewhere warm and sunny next summer!