The Cork Paddle-Surf coaching day could not have gone better.  The event had a shaky start after being postponed from the previous week, but for the few that did turn-up the rewards were well worth the effort.

The day started with a warning that sun-cream was a definite requirement – this is not something we’re overly familiar with!!  Conditions were perfect, glorious sunshine with small but very clean waves and near zero wind!! 

After the warning regarding sun-protection, we got down to the real business of explaining the intricacies of paddle-surf and surf etiquette to those brave souls that were willing to endure such perfect conditions!! Haha.  Then we got on the water.  Mick and I both lent out our boats and Munster Dive had generously loaned us some Demo kayaks for the day, so nearly everyone was out straight away in a surf-specific kayak. 

The newcomers were obviously impressed by the way these toys handled, even if the rails caught them out a bit at first.  After 30 minutes at the beach break we moved down to the sandbar, a reef like wave, with a long left and a right with a short steep pocket that must be worked in order to get a long spin from it.  Waves were upto 5 feet on the face in the sets, and maybe 3 for the non-set waves, again, ideal conditions to be learning to handle surf-kayaks!! 

I was impressed by the speed at which people were learning how to use the surf kayaks!   We stayed out until nearly 13:30 before taking a break for lunch – the tide has risen and the wave was after dying off.  A 30 minute lunch break and it was back on the water only this time we brought down the wave-skis, as ever with skis, some people found it a bit harder than they might have expected, but others got on very well.  Everyone played for about another 2 hours, swapping craft and enjoying the day. 

For those that struggled, do not be put-off, none of those skis were what could be considered a beginner ski, hopefully we’ll be able to get one for the next day in Clare in July, and we’ll have a few more demo boats too!

I’d like to say thanks to everyone for showing up, to Willy and Mick for helping out with the coaching, and to Mick and Munster Dive for loaning out the boats!  Much appreciated!! 

Just a quick reminder to all that Watertech and Munster Dive are sponsoring our competition series and that the prizes extend to a surf-kayak for the best newcomer, so it’s well worth attending!!

Hope to see ye all at the Clare event in July.

More Photos

Brendan.