In the pub after the pool session, Neil, Lynn, Andy and Donald were talking about surfing and how good it was and asked me along. Donald kindly offered me a surf kayak for the day because he couldn't make it.
So, Sunday morning and the West beach at Lossiemouth. I was watching the white surf coming in with some nervous tension when I looked at the boat I had brought!!
Got kitted up, and walked towards the white surf. Andy disappeared into the big waves right at the back whereas I was looking for something a lot smaller! I saw Neil and Lynn getting out and starting to catch some waves so I put my spraydeck on and pushed out, my first thoughts - somebody is having a laugh with this boat!! It was paddle, low brace low brace, paddle, low brace low brace, oops another wave, paddle paddle, low brace low brace, then a quick sweep stroke lined up and then paddle towards the shore. I caught the first wave and then the penny dropped - as soon as I got the boat on its edge it felt like a different beast altogether. I wouldn't go so far as to say it felt comfortable but it was fun!!!After a while I got a bit braver and started to try and catch bigger waves, and I realised you had to lean forward to catch the green waves and soon realised not to lean too far forward! Meanwhile, I watched Neil and Lynn surfing right across for a huge distance, it was quite impressive. I stopped for a break, Andy came in for his surf ski and I watched him surfing on his surf ski closer to shore. It looked incredibly difficult.
Lynn came in for a break and asked me if I wanted a shot of her carbon-fibre Stealth river boat, which I tried. This is a boat that I am more used to paddling; I felt more at home and it was great fun getting further out and getting bigger waves and feeling more comfortable. At one point I caught a wave and Andy caught a wave at the same time and we were probably about 2m apart. I was trying not to surf straight into him but he seemed pretty comfortable and stayed clear, which was quite cool!
Then the surf conditions started to get better - me not knowing what good and bad surf is! The day I tried it was not the best of conditions but I was quite happy! I came back in and gave Lynn her boat back and Neil offered me his Screamer which is a longer surf boat, and a lot faster. But not as tippy as Donald's. I caught a wave which was probably the best one I caught all day, and this boat just took off....
The final thing I tried was Andy's surf ski - now somebody was having a laugh! I think it was Andy that was laughing the most anyway! This was a step far too far! Couldn't even paddle it out - rephrase that - could hardly sit on it!!!
All in all, it was a really good day and now on my list of favourites on my pc is Magic Seaweed Surf Predictions, and I will be doing it again! If anybody asks you to go surfing in a kayak, I would recommend it but take a boat that you are used to.
Pete Ralph
Photos – Neil, Lynn & Pete
