welshkate

This weekend, the Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club presents its annual Saftey Weekend. Subjects covered during the weekend include knots and anchors, mechanical advantage systems, kayak pins, swiftwater swimming and self-rescue, and throw bagging. The course is taught by volunteers, with expert instruction given by Keith Gillespie, a SWR trainer. A bunch of us arrived on Friday so that we could run the Little North Santiam, prior to course commencement. It was fun and the confluence waves (Little N. and N. Santiam) offered some of the longest rides I’ve ever had. James chivalrously gave up the last wave for me (there is no eddy service).

The surf this year has been a little strange. It’s either been ragingly too large, or piddlingly too small. Last week I was desperate to get some of that salty stuff back in my gear. Nothing like crispy gear and salt/gasket induced hiccies on your neck-  try to explain that one to your work buddies… I headed out into a measly 2.5 ft at 12 second swell (shh…don’t tell my board surfing buddies, they’ll disown me!). It was good for practicing top and bottom turns, a steeper wave was required to do anything else. I was really impressed with the stand up paddle surfer (SUPS) sharing the waves with me. I wonder if kayaking skills can translate to SUPS. I know Werner are starting to make paddles for this evolving sport. I also read in Paddler Mag that Tao wants to paddle one of these off BZ…

Photos: All taken at Agate Beach.

I’ve actually been board surfing recently and really enjoying it. I think it makes a great cross training excersice for kayakers and certainly is more fun than kayak surfing in 2.5 ft, crumbly surf.