welshkate

It’s fun being back in Wales and exploring new play spots- all thanks to Chris and Sam showing me where they are. I headed to the Tawe, Swansea on Saturday with those guys to go for a couple of rides. It just so happens that the play spots are just upstream of Swansea Canoes- handy if you forget your nose plugs. The feature consists of 3 weirs in quick succession. Chris said that the three features may all work at once (like the were on Sat.); at higher levels, the top and middle features work and at lower levels the bottom works (correct me if I’m muddled up Chris/ Sam).

Photos of top weir (L to R): Chris’ low angle cartwheel; plenty of room for all.

The middle weir was super fun. It is quite fast and has a nice pile. It reminds me of Spencer’s in Oregon. It is definitely deep enough to loop here. It’s important to go surfers left on the pile to loop, or you’ll hit a submerged rock. Chris was getting some ends here too. I think this will quickly become my favourite local play spot.

Photos of Middle weir (L to R): Sam above the weir; after he’d run it.

The bottom weir was fun to front surf and practice edge control. towards the end of our sesh the river level had dropped a bit, the wave steepened and Chris and I were trying some blunts. Chris invented a new move and called it a McFluffy. I cant remember how its done but at least its got a warm and fuzzy name.

Photo: Sam surfing; Chris dropping in.