Summer is coming and for those looking to follow the likes of Al Mennie and Cotty next winter then perhaps you should go on this excellent course run by H2O water safety.
This is courtesy of Shawn Alladio of K38 Water safety based in the USA, K38 courses are available here in Britain via the only certified K38 instructor in the Uk Ben Granata @ PWC Training
Ghost Tree December 4th, 2007 Photo by Mark Kraft
2008 Personal Watercraft Safety Review for Tow Surfing
Ask me how I know?
Shawn Alladio
An
increase in Tow Surfing related boating incidents in the Central
California region the past several years, coincides with the growth of
the activity of towsurfing. This water sport has emerged with the
advent of newer vessel technologies and exploration into the extreme
world of sports, which has in the past 5 years leveled out from the
realm of just professional athletes, to the invitation of mainstream
participants.
The growing pains experienced by the activity
of towsurfing have been brought up in public safety meetings,
legislative circles, and become a focal point in the Monterey Bay
National Marine Sanctuary Management Review. Is it a safety issue or
an environmental impact issue? It depends what team you play on.
WHAT IS SAFE?
All
things considered every single life activity could be broken down with
'examples' of negative and positive impact. How best to manage a new
sport that traditionally doesn't speak the language of the surfing
community for association benefits and stewardship of future access or
legislative support? This is the paradox of the towsurfing community.
The
public safety agencies I work with are not against the towsurfing
activity but they have raised concerns about the participants level or
preparedness and perception of risk according to their water skill
ability. There is good reason for these concerns, just like any other
activity, such as bicycle riding, kite boarding, driving a car, or any
other functional use of equipment, accidents can and will happen. A
towsurfing team needs to realize that they may not have the luxury of
getting emergency assistance and they must be prepared to self rescue,
especially in remote areas.
K38 PWC Towsurfing review with Don Curry at USCG Station Monterey
Surfing
itself on the professional level dictated the need for sponsorship
support and media coverage. This rang even truer for towsurfing. Many
teams will not go out without the support of a film crew or some type
of documentation of the excursion. Is this the new world vision of this
generation where every facet of our life is entered in digital coding,
and uploaded for our friends and family in our online blogs and
albums? Scientist do it, bird watches, mothers, nature enthusiasts,
artists, we all are attracted to imagery, but first we need a subject.
What we used to know, has shifted to a technology world of fast
correspondence, increased exposure and the elmination of once prized
'secret spots'.
REAL WORLD TRAINING
However,
towsurfing or boating education did not seem to be the primary focus,
nor understanding of the rules, and just what were the rules? Who made
them, enforced them and was there really ever a 'gentlemen's
agreement'? Those who did seek out training probably had 'safety
first' as their main concern, while others 'trialed and errored' on
their own merits. Since there are no laws stating that there has to be
on water skill training or physical ability checks, anyone can enter
into the towsurfing ring. Even a six foot wave has power, imagine an
untrained boat operator in twenty feet of surf with others operating in
the near vicinity?
VISIONARIES
The
kingdom of big wave surfing owes itself to two people, primarily Bill
Sharp for his marketing ability and creative vision for starting the K2
Challenge in 1998, won by Taylor Knox on a 52' wave at the ISA Reef
World Team Championships. And for Gary Linden contest director at the
Reef @ ISA event, who launched many a big wave surfers career with his
contest vision and example, the tide turned in 1998 and it hasn't gone
low yet. 1998 was the pivotal year of towsurfing, as it was for big
wave paddle surfing, one guard had channeled into the next. The media
saw the big wave arena through the eyes of the K2 Challenge and the
race was on, but the racers hadn't realized what would come next.
Even
though Laird Hamilton had set the current mythological impact of the
greatest waterman in our times years earlier, nobody could come close
to his lofty experiences, he aimed to the next best level along with
the Strapped Crew. There are many other great influences such as the
prestigious Eddie Aikau event, and the glory of the Strapped Crew who
set the mark the rest of the world wanted to touch.
The XXL Big
Wave Awards in 2008 have seen record entries in their iconic awards
program. Submission are via media formats. The big wave theme has
circled the globe and locations have been exposed all over the
coastlines of continents. It is an inspirational time for big wave
enthusiasts, but not for the purist, who surfed just because they
could. Now, those with less talent are lamented by the pioneers,
as only a motor has changed the wake to fame. The 'Code' was
originally paddle in first, then pull on the rope. That image has
disappeared, and a new and completely different sport has evolved and
splintered from surfing itself. It has become a conflict of use issue,
and in some areas a safety issue.
OUR HOUSE
I
am only one person who is a part of this movement combined with many.
When towsurfers began to clip their lanyards into a personal
watercraft, that is when they walked 'into my house'. It was not the
other way around. I was driving a personal watercraft when they hated
them or even knew what they were. I have also been an original offender
20 plus years ago and learned my hard lessons at the expense of others,
long before any towsurfer had got their first bruise. It was then that
I began to pay attention to my behavior. I realized that by having
people watch my operational behavior I could influence them to either
become competent operators or kill themselves.
Which did I
want to be held responsible to in my soul? How did that change for me?
Only one way, admission to awareness and education, coupled with
discipline. A very difficult mixture to embrace.
However with
this change many big wave or towsurfing locations and the safety
concerns needs to be addressed by the towsurfing community, which has
not become a collective consciousness of this user group. Too many are
busy throwing rocks at one another and placing blame elsewhere instead
of stepping forward, taking the heat and making a difference no matter
what the opinion is.
WHAT WORKS-WHAT DOESN'T?
Community
outreach and education; who is going to assume this position? Is the
towsurfing community waiting for government involvement to tell them
how the pursuit of big waves is going to be allocated, to whom and
when, to formulate a ban? And is it possible that prejudice exists from
federal stewardship of Marine Sanctuaries, Reserves or Preserves are
not working in partnership with the concerns of these recreational
boaters and they have simply thrown their hands up in despair?
Is
it possible to bring a group together with a sense of self preservation
and will they resist just about any attempt for this unity? For years I
have worked with PWC related political and educational issues
worldwide. I have never witnessed a user group so bent on self
destruction in terms of sport conservancy as the towsurfing
collective. They resist many opportunities for guidance or
suggestions, much to the dismay of not only myself but my colleagues.
Or is it that they are just waiting for the final bell to toll and
trying to grab as many waves now and not care about future towsurfing
generations. Is it that selfish or just growing pains? Will this be
their ultimate defeat? I have been through this within the PWC
community, one reason I am a partner with the AWA, the American
Watercraft Association. There is strength in numbers.
http://www.awahq.orgSTANDARDSThe buddy system is flawed, situational awareness and emergency preparedness are sorely lacking.
I drove to the USCG station
Monterey Bay along with Don Curry and we provided a PWC overview for
the USCG Station Monterey with Federal jurisdiction in the Monterey Bay
waters for boater related concerns. Back in December when I went to the
Monterey Bay area to investigate related PWC events from agency and
USCG distress calls and a recent drowning to see if any certified K38
operators had violated any operational rules and would I address
renouncing their certificate(s). What I found was that one ingredient
was missing:
Other
agencies such as NOAA, Fish and Game, California Harbormasters, Port
Authorities, State Parks, Lifeguard agencies, Fire Rescue, law
enforcement and volunteer Search and Rescue groups have seen an
increase in emergency calls during the big wave swells this winter, for
beachgoers, boaters and towsurfers. Due to the nature of risk
associated with water related activities, the National Safe Boating
Council has establishes new standards for certification through boater
education. Boater education certification is now valid for a period of
3 years. When the mandatory titling comes from the USCG and all US
boats will be documented federally, eventually mandatory education and
even licensing will occur nationwide over time. K38 will comply with
these new boater education standards as the changes are implemented by
these governing associations.
K38 has established boater
education standards in compliance with the National Association of
Boating Law Administrators and the National Safe Boating Council.
These standards are to ensure the safety of boaters and to reduce
liability issues. If you have taken a K38 training course and have a
successful level of completion with a certificate, you are expected to
uphold the standards you were taught and to abide by all boating laws,
rules and regulations. That knowledge has been invested in you.
Essentially you are a boating steward now and there are certainly
things you are responsible for. That includes the assumed risk of your
passengers while underway. You are responsible both as the owner and
or the captain of your vessel for the safety of all passengers on board
you boat. This includes with insurance, injury, accident or death.
ACCIDENT PREVENTION
Is
it really possible? A distress call was made for a towsurfer who had
lost his partner, several PWC's became disoriented in the fog, another
towsurfers PWC had failed and he was adrift alone, another had a
serious laceration. When a distress call is made to the USCG, Channel
16 alerts all USCG stations via radio to the nature of the distress,
the location and alerts other vessels in the vicinity to render
assistance if possible. Immediately all public safety agencies are
alerted.
There are a series of related events that need to
take place for an accident. If you could stop frame each sequence you
could see what led up to the problem at hand! Would you be able to
change or stop anything, decisions, actions in hindsight? 'Ask me how
I know', rings true when I look back at all my own poor choices that
placed me in harms way and my equipment. Rember what I just said, each
step to a disaster has a certain element that keeps moving forward,
sometimes its best just to 'stop'.
Ghost Tree Rescue over Rock Boil Photo: Mark Kraft
IS IT POSITIVE MEDIA RELATIONS?
Working
with these agencies for field service training relative to personal
watercraft use for rescue and patrol, there are not too many incidents
that go unnoticed or unreported in the media. This is due to several
factors, one the high surf warnings often bring people to the coastline
to watch the heavy water action, and secondly, many towsurfers rarely
tow surf without video or camera capabilities, from either professional
photographers/film makers or from the general public. People change
when a camera is focused, behavior is altered and adrenaline is a
strong motivator. These are not bad things, but all things must be
managed for balance. Cameras are making heroes out of idiots. When a
mishap occurs and its placed on a film for entertainment purposes, it
sets in action an acceptable mode of behavior. There is no such thing
as a dead hero.
THE FAME FACTOR
Lower level
surfers who were looked down upon by the elite quickly came to the
shoulder on a PWC and began launching a media career. The public draw
to the mystique of big waves also encouraged the behavior, and many
wonderful and inspiring images have been produced as well as horrific
instances of near fatal miracles. Competitions are not bad, in fact
they are incredibly motivating and personally self gratifying. But a
person should never place thier life at risk or others unless they are
capable of the level of risk associated with the activity.
And
remember, when a rescue call comes down, the lives of the rescuers are
placed on the front line. They have families to come home to at the end
of the day. Every time they go out in to the field, they place their
life in harms way to help save yours. And it's not one person.
Multiple agency response is typical, the resources, manpower and
expense can be tremendous. Know Before You Tow!
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SOUL OF SURFING?
Internet
searches within 24 hours after any swell will produce amazing photo
albums or images from various locations tracking the powerful images of
this new aquatic motorized sport. Many countries now are heralding
their own big wave heroes conquering local breaks, the army is growing.
It is a migratory sport, but are those who migrate good stewards of
this sport? Are they responsible users representing a code of boating
ethics or are they bringing their behavioral problems to other regions,
training locals and contaminating surf zones?
EDUCATING THE ENEMY
Who
would you call the enemy? Yourself or them, or me? Be concerned about
the enemy within, the one that does not care, the one that does not
hold themselves accountable or reflect on their influence on others.
Be very afraid.
Don and I went over the various safety concerns,
and equipment that towsurfers should have on board, and where the
storage of these items would be located, and the basic functions and
features of various personal watercraft for on duty staff. This will
help them with PWC vessel inspections and operational awareness. They
had questions about the safety gear and the driving needs, why is that?
Because they understand the team ethic and that education save lives,
they train all the time to serve you in a time of need.
The Life They Save May Be Your Own.
USCG Station Monterey Towsurfing PWC Review
NUMBERS DON'T LIE
Throughout
California's harbors, the local agencies who respond to water related
incidents have seen an increase of towsurfing related launches prior to
sunrise and during times of fog or low visibility. This can lead to
search and rescue calls if a tow team finds themselves in danger or has
not prepared for their boat emergency equipment properly. You can now
be billed for any Search and Rescue that is deemed a liability issue
for agencies, and this is spreading worldwide. Your preparedness is
imperative more now than ever. But do not hesitate to call if you are
in need!
Officer Authority-Compliance and Assistance
In
California, every peace officer of the State, City County, Harbor
District or other political subdivision of the State has the authority
to stop and inspect vessels to enforce local boating laws when there is
probable cause that a violation exists. Peace officers also have the
authority to terminate voyages, escort boaters ashore, or order boaters
to the nearest moorage if an unsafe condition is found that cannot be
corrected on the spot. Boat operators must immediately yield
PRUDENT MARINER
A
prudent mariner is well prepared. A prudent mariner understands risk
and does their best to minimize the risk, this is done by pre planning!
Everyone involved in the activity of towsurfing will experience a
catastrophic event within their career, either loss of equipment or
personal injury or witness such. Insurance companies are seeing a rise
in towsurfing related claims not consistent with the recreational
public. Many tow surfers are just plain lucky because the personal
watercraft of today are designed so well, they are simply 'forgiving'.
California does not have mandatory boating education as of
2008, however I recommend you take not only online courses, but hands
on training programs. These are National Association of Boating Law Administrators
(NASBLA) approved boater education programs. Do not miss taking this
online course! Print your certificate upon successful completion. In
California persons convicted of a on water moving violation must take a
court ordered boating safety class!
http://pwcsafetyschool.com/
WHAT DON'T YOU HAVE?
It is imperative that you have a functioning GPS and understand how to operate it properly, including spare batteries.
It
is recommended that you have a compass on board either your vessel or
on your person. It will do you no good to have a radio stored in your
PWC if you have become separated with it in the water. Communications
are a must, a cell phone, a marine band UHF hand held radio (use
waterproof bags or containers), a sound signaling device attached to
your PFD, an aerosol fog horn, hand held flares, proper strength and
length rated vessel tow lines, and other required and recommended gear.
An
agency vessel will not use a tow line that is given to them from a
boater, they will not trust the integrity of the materials. The USCG
is not 'vessel assist', they are not on duty to provide services for
vessels who need a tow, only for people or vessels in distress. If you
have another tow surfing vessel/team in your area, the buddy system
applies at all times, it is expected of them to make the tow, discuss
this before you go! 1/3 fuel underway, 1/3 for return and 1/3 for
emergency use applies Many towsurfing teams do not look out for one
another, nor have proper communication in case of an emergency, what to
do or who to call in case of an emergency, do you have numbers
laminated in your boat? Do you have your personal identification
available and registration on board?
File a float plan with a
family member or a friend with your location of operations, give them a
timeframe you want them to call the authorities. It is advisable to get
insurance in case of an injury accident or a potential lawsuit.
Do
not launch in fog, it is against the law, as well as it is to operate
half hour after sunset to a 1/2 hour before sunrise even if navigation
lights are used. Every person on board must have a properly fitted,
sized and functional 'type' of PFD worn at all times. If you launch in
fog you are risking not only your life, your vessel, those with you and
you are breaking the law.
Lanyards must not be altered and must be attached to the body of the operator.
More California Boating Law Basics
http://www.boatus.org/onlinecou
You
are required by law to file a boating accident report within 48 hours
after an incident where there is $500 bodily injury or damage to your
boat (PWC) with local authorities. File within 24 hours of a death, or
if there is any medical treatment beyond first aid needed. Especially
if there is an insurance claim or medical report filed. You can get
forms from the California Department of Boating and Waterways, along
with your float plan, keep one of these in your vehicle glove box.
BUDDY CHECK
Peter
Davi drowned at Ghost Tree on December 4th of 2007. He made choices
that contributed to his situation. Several people who were concerned
about his welfare made personal contact with him to assist him out of
the area, which he declined. He was a swimmer at this point, without a
surfboard, which he chose to be by personal volition. However his risk
increased significantly and was compounded from other contributable
factors. There were approximately 20 tow teams in the vicinity
reported that day. Regardless of who this person was in the
water or what choices they made, somebody should have taken the extra
effort to standby 100, 300, 400 feet away and keep a watch on this
swimmer until he set foot safely on shore or signaled for assistance.
Would this have cost them 20 minutes time? It is not acceptable to
ignore the risk of swimmers or boaters in areas of high risk and
dismiss their actions, even if they appear irrational or unlike their
character. You are not responsible for others actions, but you can make
a difference if their situation changes, perhaps the spirit
of compassion applies. If anything can be learned from this tragedy,
it is to keep a watch, a buddy watch. Count boats, count
heads, count surfboards and look for any type of movement in the water
that is not intuitively correct. If you have a bad thought, follow
through with it if its a safety concern.
You cannot prevent someone from making their own choice and acting upon it
You can make good choices based off your level of awareness or experience
Do not take any unnecessary risk or place others at risk
Do not place yourself in an irrecoverable situation 'know when to go-when not to go'
You must be capable of 'multi tasking' at all times while underway
13 tow teams at foreground Ghost Tree in this image on December 4, 2007
Photo: Mark Kraft
A
Buddy Check also signifies that you are not solely just focused on
getting more waves, all the waves or some of the waves, you have to
look out for those in the lineup at all times. When something goes
wrong, you will be placed under extreme stressors and pressure. There
are many things that will need to be addressed in a short amount of
time. Do you have basic first aid knowledge, do you know how to set a
tourniquet, or apply pressure to wounds. Do you know how to de-water a
PWC engine, tow or swim a semi submerged PWC, or do you know when to
call it a loss and walk away and do nothing because the risk is so
extreme your life could be in danger? Are you safer swimming out and
away or running with the currents or will the rocks ahead prove
lethal? Buddy checks are very important, it
only takes a second for things to fall apart, and it can take hours for
recovery. None of us are immune to this, but the good news is that the
skill level of operators increases with each experience and the water
rescue skills with your boat may eclipse what a local agency will be
able to provide. Many rescue calls are after the fact and often
respond to body recovery, so you must always be prepared to self
rescue, buddy check others and provide a measure of water rescue
capability either at the break you are using or while transiting to and
from.
LIFE JACKETS SAVE LIVES
There
has not been a reported fatality anywhere in the globe to date with
towsurfing itself. However there have been measurable vessel loss and
personal injury. I am also one of these included in this description, I
can say 'ask me how I know?' Life jackets save lives! The National
Safe Boating Council has annual campaigns to educate boaters and to
encourage the use of Life Jackets. One life saved is one life lived!
In
1998 I began campaigning in my classes for towsurfers to wear Personal
Flotation Devices. PFD's or life jackets. I was ridiculed for this the
same way lifeguards chastised me, why is that? Their comfort level was
to 'dive' below the surface of a wave, it was acceptable practice.
However, when they 'stepped into my house, their house of boating',
they didn't yet realize they were now 'boat operators' and there were
laws that overrode their familiar comfort level. It really had nothing
to do with me, but everything to do with saving their own life or
someone else's.
There has not been a drowning yet of a towsurfer
who has worn a PFD. However there is still strong resistance to this
and many are wearing flotation devices that are not rated properly or
rated at all for proper buoyancy. In fact, I would like to set the
record straight: For the purpose of towsurfing, one must be wearing a
swiftwater type of PFD that has extra flotation. Please quote me on
this. Why? Because in aerated water conditions your body needs
additional buoyancy to offset the air mixture with water. In a court of
law this could be easily addressed if you are inside the impact zone
with aerated water, you would be required to have the proper amount of
flotation. Ask me how I know?
If for any other, your lungs are
not lifesaving devices, they will not hold your body up on the surface,
and your wetsuit will do even less, if you have a problem, are rendered
unconscious or breathe in water, a PFD will at least bring your body to
the surface if you are not wrapped or pinned on an object and you stand
the chance of the Golden Hour of resuscitation, if not the first 5
critical minutes. It is the BEST investment you will ever make. http://safeboatingcouncil.org/
UNDER THE INFLUENCE
This includes prescription drugs, or narcotics, and or alcohol, get proper rest and nutrition.
After being introduced to surfing and standing on a board at the age of three thanks to Beth mason, Gwen Spurlock, Becky Templeton and the Hammett boyos whilst in North Devon. Izzy has been enjoying the Indo board and after being subjected to the odd tow surfing video this half term was keen to have a go at tow skating. Thanks to Donnie for making a fantastic still stoked sk8board for her to start on.
Saw this picture in the Telegraph on Monday, classic, an attempt at eco friendly tow surfing down in Cornwall at Perranporth beach. Talking of Cornwall an interesting post on surf nation today regarding Newquay click here for info; Newquay surfing beaches Other than that I am currently catching up with work after enjoying the surf down in Newquay over past few days and looking forward to more of the same this weekend hopefully.
This contest is on stand by for Thursday according to Surf News Network
MASSIVE IRISH WAVES HAVE GLOBAL IMPACT FOR LOCAL BIG WAVE SURFERS.
The tow-surfing pair of
Duncan Scott (Newquay, Cornwall) and Alistair Mennie (Portrush,
Northern Ireland) has further highlighted the magnitude of giant,
surfable waves breaking off the British Isles’ coastlines, with
their recent nominations into the 2008 Billabong International XXL
Big Wave Awards.
The XXL nomination follows their record-breaking session at
Mullaghmore Head, in Donegal Bay, on 1 December 2007, where the pair
rode waves between 55 to 60 feet high, the biggest waves ever
recorded by Ireland’s Marine Institute and the Met Eireann
meteorological office.
Their initial nomination has been backed up by their recent
performances in riding some of the biggest waves documented at
‘Aileens,’ a big-wave spot found beneath the imposing,
700-feet high Cliffs of Moher, in County Clare, Ireland. The annual XXL Big Wave
Awards, sponsored by international surfwear company Billabong,
recognises the biggest waves successfully ridden anywhere on the
planet over the course of a 12-month period, concluding on 19 March
2008, marking the Vernal (Spring) Equinox. ‘We are extremely proud of the inclusion of Duncan Scott and
Alistair Mennie into the XXL International Big Wave Awards. It’s
a worthy recognition of the efforts and commitment they’ve
invested into big-wave surfing in the UK and Irish waters, and shows
the calibre of waves and surfers our coastline can produce,’
commented Karen Walton, National Director of the British Surfing
Association.
This is the first time a UK or Irish surfer has gained entry
into the premiere ‘Ride of the Year’ category, in which
the winner takes home a $50 000 paycheque. This category rewards the
technical ability and critical approach of the surfer, as well the
size of the wave ridden. They are also in contention for the $15 000 prize for ‘Biggest
Wave’ category, where a panel of surf industry experts gauge
the sheer vertical height of the biggest waves ridden. Alistair Mennie, who rode a
55- 60 foot wave, the biggest ever recorded in the British Isles at
Mullaghmore, is hoping that a little Irish luck may continue to
prevail for them when they fly out to Anaheim, California for the
awards ceremony at the event’s conclusion.
‘The Northern hemisphere winter of 2007/2008 has been
extremely active in terms of major storms, and hence giant surf,’
stated Californian Bill Sharp, director of the Billabong XXL Awards. He continued, ‘Many
mainstay big-wave spots like Waimea Bay, Jaws and Mavericks have had
their best seasons in years. Despite this, the Ireland session is
still holding ground against the biggest waves across the planet, and
illustrates the global expansion and exploration of big-wave riding.’
‘It’s just a huge honour for us, to earn a slot amongst
the elite big-wave riders from around the world. These are the guys
we’ve always looked up to since learning to surf,’
enthused Scott. He continued, ‘Al and I are committed as a team, and we’ve
worked and trained hard together to reach this level. It’s a
full-time job for both of us. You’re only as good as your
partner allows you to be, and we both want to keep pushing our
personal boundaries, ride huge waves and have fun in the process. After California, the pair
will travel to the Canary Islands in March and on to the
shark-infested break of Dungeons, in South Africa, in May to chase
further swells.
This winter has seen an unprecedented run of large waves battering
the west coasts of Cornwall, Wales and Ireland, which many scientists
and meteorologists attribute to more volatile weather patterns and
increased frequency of storms, due to the effects of global warming.
Whatever the cause, the rest of the surfing world is opening its eyes
to the fact that spots like Aileens, Mullaghmore and, under very
specific conditions, Newquay’s Cribber, have the potential to
match the size and intensity of any other surfing region in the
world.
“We have long known of the big-wave potential of the north and
westerly-facing coastlines of the UK and Ireland. Now with a
concerted focus on finding and riding these waves, backed up by
jetski technology and our own surfing experience and training, we’re
riding waves that we could only have dreamt about in the past,’
enthused Al.
“What makes this XXL nomination even more laudable is the fact
that there is no precedent of a big-wave culture in Ireland or the UK
– no long-standing tradition of challenging yourself against
the biggest waves you can find, as has occurred in California and
Hawaii since the 1950’s, you have to figure everything out for
yourself,’ explains Paul O’Kane, towsurfing liaison for
the Irish Surfing Association. In Ireland, there are no palm trees, and certainly no girls in
bikinis, and you’re certainly more likely to catch hypothermia
than a tan. It takes the utmost commitment, and with greater hazards, but for an
intrepid group of heavy water pioneers like Scott, Mennie and a crew
of dedicated local surfers, they wouldn’t have it any other
way.
‘Yesterday, Al decided to forego using the jetski at Aileens,
choosing to pit his paddling strength alone against the power of the
huge waves. He got caught inside by a rogue wave and was pushed up
against the sheer cliff,’ explained Scott.
‘Recently, we had a session at Aileens, in the snow and
freezing fog with a windchill of minus 9 degrees centigrade. We were
preparing to launch the jetski before dawn, standing there in the
falling snow in wetsuits, and wondering what the hell we were doing? But we knew the surf was
big, empty and perfect, so we figured we had to give it a go!’
enthused Scott.
Here is Ben.G after having a disagreement with his brand new much loved surfboard at the bottom of a large wave whilst surfing at home in Cornwall.
Ben paddle surfs the Cribber and was Chris Bertish 'crazy muns' tow partner. I took my K38 course under the pairs guidance and found it to be a fantastic training course.
Anyway I just spoke to Ben via skype and he tells me that he recently managed to smash up another board on the rocks at Fistral and stuff up his wetsuit zip in the same week... it comes in three's Ben so at least you have paid your dues and the rest of the winter is going to be fun, fun, fun, for you mate and good luck on your PWC training courses.
I have just rec'd this letter via email (see below) and have forwarded on to the water safety section of C and C of Swansea. There are guidelines for the use of and training/insurance etc also there are byelaws and other rules and regulations that may be invoked by the powers that be.
Aberavon beach has a zoned area for those jet ski users that want to go fast and jump waves as yet there is not at llangennith beach. Here are the basic rules provided by C and C of Swansea and here it is 'jet ski use swansea'
Dear Sir/Madam,
Not sure if anyone else has written to you yet but thought I'd let you know that last Sunday evening I was walking at high tide down llangennith beach on the Gower (Burry Holmes end) and there were 5-6 jet skis within 30 yards of the shore (see photo attached and weblink below), jumping over the waves and within dangerously close proximity (within 50 yards) to a number of surfers in the water.
The jet skiers were there for over an hour and a number of surfers I spoke to coming in and out of the water were very concerned and annoyed (needless to say anxious) about the activity of these jet skis.
This is not the first time this has happened as the jet skiers have been seen a number of times at this popular surf spot over the past year or so - apparently they come down the estuary from the Carmarthen end, possibly Bury Port docks? Given the dangers of unsupervised jet ski use to other water users, particularly surfers, and some of the accidents that have occurred along the South Wales coast in the past, let alone the obvious noise and water pollution, I am sure this information may of interest to your readership.
http://magicseaweed.com/photoLab/viewPhoto.php?photoId=33476
That was the general opinon faced by many of us Euro surfers whilst enjoying the hawaiian waves over the last 20 years. Well for all you doubting 'erics' out there check this one out.. from the guys over at carve and their H30 project.
News from the h30 project.
A mega swell hit the west coast of Ireland over the weekend. It was so big a H30 session at Aileens had to be called off! With the swell showing at 20 feet and breaking at high tide at a low tide spot Al Meenie and Andrew Cotty did attempt a launch but found the local harbour washed out with waves breaking into the car park. Also the normal channel was being blocked by 20 foot closeouts! Wave heights at Aileens were estimated at 30+ feet with a 21 second wave period and a 5mph offshore wind, but with nowhere to launch skis the attempt was abandoned.
I
rish filmaker Gavin Gallagher, who is producing "And then the wind died" said... " I was just walking away back up the hill when these huge lines appeared on the horizon. I barely managed to get the tripod level and camera powered up in time to get this shot (above). Before this monster rolled through we were estimating the sets at around 40ft faces. I'm estimating this at a 55ft face plus... I've never seen it break so wide into the channel, it was surfable the whole way through with a massive barrel section."
| Tow-In session @ JAWS, the most famous big wave break in the world. March 02, 2005. JAWS, Maui. | |
