Finally got a surf in this morning – woke up (thanks puppies) just after 6.00am to let the dogs out to do a perimeter search – must keep vigil up on yard invaders of the feline kind. All ok and there was no wind at all and I could hear the surf.
Board in van, wettie and towel to follow and off I go. Sat in the car park for a while to see if either of the 2 guys out were catching anything. They did and that was all the encouragement I needed. I suited up and hit the lineup, spent about 3 hours out and as the tide dropped, it got better and better – so much so the “set” waves were overhead. A very nice surprise indeed!
My first surf of the summer and what a beauty – even got a bit of nose riding in as well.
One thing that I was very chuffed about was my fitness – with doing heaps of swim training for triathlons, I found the paddling around very easy (mental note-must do that next year!!
There is no more good feeling of tired than “surf tired” – my shoulders are a bit sore. BUT the winds have dropped so I’m about to head out again and check the waves – later!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Natural High
Natural High
Yesterday I completed my 4th triathlon but this one was the one that I have had my main goal of completing, the Xmas Cracker Canterbury Tri Club event – take a step backwards for a moment.
I was suggested by a friend that I should try the “Blokes Triathlon Series” – a series of 3 events that are targeted at introducing “blokes” to the sport. They were 1 month apart (October, November and December) and increased in length. Event 1 was 100m pool swim, 10km bike and 3km run, event 2 was 200m pool swim, 15km bike and 4km run, event 3 was 250m pool swim, 20km bike and 5km run.
I did the first 2 events as an individual and really enjoyed them. As I am in the early stages of triathlons I didn’t want to do the entire event 3 and then do the Xmas Cracker one the week later – I didn’t think my fitness was up to it. I was going to do the pool swim (250m) and had organised a couple of friends to do the bike and the run BUT I was let down by my runner SO I did the 5 km run as well.
Jump forward to yesterday – the Xmas Cracker tri is a 400m ocean swim, 15km bike and a 4km run. I have been watching the weather daily and it looked like it would be a rough day so with my “ocean experience” I was pretty confident that I would be ok in the swim. Woke up early and the day was beautiful, not too warm to start out.
Surfsis asked about my bike – ITS AWESOME!!!!!!
It makes so much difference when you have a nice bike. It’s by no means top of the range but for me, it’s fine for right now. One thing I do need to do is work on my transitions – I’m slow BUT that said, I’m not doing these to win (not yet anyway!!)
The run was a circuit along the esplanade and as the tide went out the surf picked up – can you imagine how frustrated I was running along on the concrete looking at the surf – for a surfer this has to be the worst thing!!
Still waiting on the official results but I finished and was pretty happy with the day. I think that my age group (veteran men, 40-49) was the largest and some of these guys are so fit and quick
Yesterday I completed my 4th triathlon but this one was the one that I have had my main goal of completing, the Xmas Cracker Canterbury Tri Club event – take a step backwards for a moment.
I was suggested by a friend that I should try the “Blokes Triathlon Series” – a series of 3 events that are targeted at introducing “blokes” to the sport. They were 1 month apart (October, November and December) and increased in length. Event 1 was 100m pool swim, 10km bike and 3km run, event 2 was 200m pool swim, 15km bike and 4km run, event 3 was 250m pool swim, 20km bike and 5km run.
I did the first 2 events as an individual and really enjoyed them. As I am in the early stages of triathlons I didn’t want to do the entire event 3 and then do the Xmas Cracker one the week later – I didn’t think my fitness was up to it. I was going to do the pool swim (250m) and had organised a couple of friends to do the bike and the run BUT I was let down by my runner SO I did the 5 km run as well.
Jump forward to yesterday – the Xmas Cracker tri is a 400m ocean swim, 15km bike and a 4km run. I have been watching the weather daily and it looked like it would be a rough day so with my “ocean experience” I was pretty confident that I would be ok in the swim. Woke up early and the day was beautiful, not too warm to start out.
Surfsis asked about my bike – ITS AWESOME!!!!!!
It makes so much difference when you have a nice bike. It’s by no means top of the range but for me, it’s fine for right now. One thing I do need to do is work on my transitions – I’m slow BUT that said, I’m not doing these to win (not yet anyway!!)
The run was a circuit along the esplanade and as the tide went out the surf picked up – can you imagine how frustrated I was running along on the concrete looking at the surf – for a surfer this has to be the worst thing!!
Still waiting on the official results but I finished and was pretty happy with the day. I think that my age group (veteran men, 40-49) was the largest and some of these guys are so fit and quick
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
No swell
Sometimes you think the universe conspires against you and other times you just think that “shit” just happens?
Every time I have been all set to get out for a surf it has either been a howling easterly (onshore) or zero swell!!!
I remember many years ago when I first started to work on ski areas, I’d be out skiing in any weather, snow storms - out skiing, huge snow falling – out skiing, whiteout conditions – out skiing. I was young and silly.
As the years passed so too did my enthusiasm for the conditions where it ended up that I would become a “fair weathered skier”. Blue sky and sunshine – out skiing for sure, anything else – no chance.
So it seems with my surfing, years ago when I started I’d be out in all conditions and it didn’t worry me at all but over the last few years I think I’ve become a little bit “picky” where I wouldn’t go out just to paddle around in circles. What’s the point - I’d rather go for a swim or bike ride?
An update on the last few weeks – I’ve completed 3 triathlons and really enjoyed them and have another one this weekend which has an ocean swim. This should sort the men from the boys I imagine and might be quite entertaining for the spectators. The previous one have been started in waves (groups of 10 people 1 minute apart) but this one will be a mass start with everyone running into the ocean at the same time – can’t wait!!
Spent a bit of time on the house and section – I enjoy this because you can see the fruits of your labour and results.
Until next time.
Every time I have been all set to get out for a surf it has either been a howling easterly (onshore) or zero swell!!!
I remember many years ago when I first started to work on ski areas, I’d be out skiing in any weather, snow storms - out skiing, huge snow falling – out skiing, whiteout conditions – out skiing. I was young and silly.
As the years passed so too did my enthusiasm for the conditions where it ended up that I would become a “fair weathered skier”. Blue sky and sunshine – out skiing for sure, anything else – no chance.
So it seems with my surfing, years ago when I started I’d be out in all conditions and it didn’t worry me at all but over the last few years I think I’ve become a little bit “picky” where I wouldn’t go out just to paddle around in circles. What’s the point - I’d rather go for a swim or bike ride?
An update on the last few weeks – I’ve completed 3 triathlons and really enjoyed them and have another one this weekend which has an ocean swim. This should sort the men from the boys I imagine and might be quite entertaining for the spectators. The previous one have been started in waves (groups of 10 people 1 minute apart) but this one will be a mass start with everyone running into the ocean at the same time – can’t wait!!
Spent a bit of time on the house and section – I enjoy this because you can see the fruits of your labour and results.
Until next time.
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