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 As surf ski paddlers we tend to view Sea Kayakers as a breed apart - funny old fashioned tubs toddling along with those peculiar flip-up rudders. Odd creatures.
But the recent Discovery Men's Health race at Seaforth, Simonstown, provided an opportunity for a mixing of the cultures... the result was hilarious as you'll see below.
Hats off to the sea kayakers for coming along and taking part - especially in the testing weather conditions that saw some forty of the hundred-odd skis retire from the race.
Here's an account of the race seen through the eyes of sea kayaker Paul Weber.
Monday, November 20, 2006
REPORT BACK SUNDAYS RACE
I decided to take part in the race at the last minute. Derek's post made it sound just like a normal Sunday Kayaker's Race (in his defence the Paddlers Website made an obscure reference to something called a "Surfski"). You know the one I was thinking about - the usual friendly faces of laid back, happy -go -lucky Sea Kayakers in Epics, Kazkazi's,Perceptions, Paddleyaks...Big mistake. These guys are not laid back. Even their designer cars are colour coded with the "Ski". The girls are all blonde.
The turnout is 4 Sea Kayaks and about 4000 Surfskis. Ok - maybe 400. Barbara was cowering behind her little Corsa when I got there. She was trying to avoid being run over by a black X5 driven by a very serious guy and his blonde girlfriend. We were both scared and the sea was very angry.
Thank God Derek and Margaret then arrived. We parked in our little corner of the Car Park. We registered and carried our boats to the beach which was just one big surfski. Nothing that you could climb into (except maybe the blondes).Maybe Not. Loud Pop Music blared over a huge sound system under a huge Energade inflatable archway type thing.
They then decide to run the race the wrong way ie. with the wind to the wreck and back to Seaforth against the wind. Problem is the wind is pomping S.E at about 55 -60 km/h. Fine for Surfskis running downwind. Not so fine for Sea Kayaks. Except Mr. Goldman. He disappears to the front and I lose sight of him. Some twit (in a surfski) can't steer his boat at the start and almost takes me out. I hit him with my paddle and he disappears too. Posing time was over and the blondes were looking for new friends.
The first boat to go over is a Surfski driven by a blonde. I try to surf into her but I miss. At least it would have cheered me up. Seriously though I found the run down to the wreck horrendous. I am sure that I barely hung on. I say this because it was one of those experiences where you can't really remember what happended. I have not paddled with such a big or fast swell before. It was really hard to prevent a broach. Except for Goldman.
But those surskis are stupendous in these conditions. Some of the guys look like they are on a surfboard the way the ride the swell. And the speed...
At the wreck I saw Barbara again. She had stayed ahead of me (courtesy of good paddling and the rudderless twit mentioned above). Margaret also surfed bloody well and was about 50 metres ahead of me. Good paddlers those girls. The turn around the wreck towards the harbour was hairy. The swell was big and breaking at or just beyond the wreck so you had to time your turn to avoid the break. Nice.
After the turn I went ahead of the 2 ladies. I think Sir Goldman was having his first beer. We went through the yacht club, under the bridge (flat water) and around the bullnose. The wind was now S.E about 700km/h. Suicide. Miracle we stayed upright. Hardened surfskiers were crying around me. I passed the bugger who had passed me on the flat water. He was crying and I laughed at him.
The paddle to Seaforth was just a question of hanging in. There was no question of actually racing anyone. It was just survive and finish the race.
All in all? I think that racing is racing. Surkskis, if you can use them well, are better at surfing and big seas. Surfskiing is very big, very popular. Their races are well organised by really nice people. Our race series is just as well organised. Hats off to Margaret and Derek.The big difference? Well, I think that it is that Sea Kayaking has a different emphasis, a different heritage. Surfskis are about racing. Sea Kayaking is not. Perhaps that's it?
Will I take part again. Yes. Many thanks to the Surfski Fraternity for having us. The guys have got something.Regretfully I think it could be infectious.
Paul posted by Paul Weber @ 3:46 PM
This account first appeared on the sea kayakers blog at: http://capekayakers.blogspot.com/
Thanks to Margaret Silk of the Paddlers Kayak Shop.
For those who will be in Cape Town on the 16th December take note of the following:
Ndorfin Day of Play, Southern Right Hotel, 16th December - Paddle Race 11am
This is a local initiative that offers something for the whole family and somewhere to take your holiday visitors! Adventure Racing consists of a series of multi discipline events where you - or your team - mountain bike, paddle and run. You can also enter as an individual or enter just one discipline - for example the Paddle! This is going to be a really exciting day with lots to do even if you aren't competing, with Climbing Walls, Kayak Hire, Bouncy Castles, music, food. Get your friends and business associates to make a team. Read more here.
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Paddlers Kayak Shop are a fine example to Kayak and Surfski shops, they go way beyond selling equipment, they actively develop the paddling community too. I once attended a race and had a great time paddling the demo craft on display afterwards, one kayak even had a sail and a beer holder!!! Great fun I must admit.
I've been meaning to gate crash one of your paddling groups in my surf ski for a while now. Hopefully surfski's are welcome.