welshkate

You’ve heard of auto-boof? Well welcome to auto-blunt land. Yesterday, James theDave and I headed to Neils wave on the McKenzie River near Vida. The river level was at 3.02 ft and was optimum for learning to blunt. I can recall the last time I blunted. It was September, 2006, by accident and in the ocean . I remember because my friend was taking helmet cam footage at the time. My move looked good on video and I wish I could claim it was intentional, but alas it was one of those “I have no idea what i just did, but felt cool” moves. Could i repeat it? Nope. Denied for two, yes two, whole blunt-frustrating years. That was until last night. Mu-ah-ha-ha-ha

Photo: Jer on Neils at a lower level last January.

Last night was one of my epic sessions. The type of sessions you get about once a year. I counted 7, yes 7 right blunts in my session. The reason for my success? Of course, as always, my #1 coach James Bagley Jr, combined with the coolest surfers left shoulders on a wave…..EVER. The pile was slightly surfers right of the shoulder. James explained to me to I should put in a left spin to get to the top of the pile. I’d then be set up at the top of the wave. He said to surf a tiny amount down the wave on my left edge. Then edge transition to the right edge very quickly. Ta-dah…it clicked….again…again….again….

All I can say is, if you are frustrated with your blunt-learning, keep at it. Find a good river wave, with a decent shoulder and keep practicing. Hell, it took me two years…hopefully it’ll take you less. But even if it takes a lifetime, the feeling of finally getting it is one of the most rewarding feelings in playboating. I was commenting to theDave how friendly Neils was last night and that I appreciated it’s lack of severe beating when flushing (as opposed to spencers hole). The beauty of the wave was summed by Dave in a most fitting fashion, “Spencers hole is like the woman you take home from the bar; Neils wave at 3.02ft is like the woman you marry”. I’ll say no more.