Six intrepid Surf Kayak wannabees ventured to North Cornwall
for a Weekends BCU level 2/3 surf Kayak coaching clinic with
surf Guru Jamie Lawrence.
Buddy,
Grant 'Big Z' Pring,
Paul 'Dude' Newport,
Gazza Elkington,
Sir John Christmas and Mark Spearing.
They were joined by some hanger-ons who came along just for
the surfing and socialising...Kenneth 'The Wogan' Baillie,
Mark 'Brad Pitt' Damen and Clive 'Dad' Joyner.....
Saturday morning dawned and Jamie arrived. After basic
safety skills and edging, rescue, recovery and core skills
were taught, the group ventured out into the 4 foot surf.
A few swims were spotted but nothing of note. Gary Elkington
was on his first ever surf outing with his new playboat...he
took a liking to studying the seabed and then emptying his
boat of local seawater!!
A long day in the seat ensued and Jamie used all his guile
to teach the students, who gradually started to reap the
benefits.
It wasn't long before Grant was showing off his old surf
skills in a kayak, catching the tunnels and showing off his
top and bottom turns.
Gary, well he was still dragging his boat to shore to empty
the local seawater from it...!!!
Sir John Christmas was also starting to show off along with
new surf member Paul "Dude" Newport......who failed to
mention he "Might" have done a tad of surfing before.
Saturday afternoon arrived and Surf mega-guru and IOPCC
legend Ken Baillie, soon found himself in trouble out back,
failing to roll, he popped and was soon in the Bude
Rip....this took him out to sea and within minutes he had
the Bude RNLI large Rib with all its blues and twos on
responding to rescue him......credit where credits due, he
refused their help and made it back into the shore, a little
red faced.
This caused much joviality during the cider quaffing and
Chinese takeaway stuffing on Saturday evening at the
campsite!
Sunday brought the best conditions.....2 foot, green and
clean, offshore light breeze holding up the lip, making it
classic surf.
More basic and intermediate skills were introduced and
reinforced, and by mid morning Jamie took each "Mug" out
back to catch the big swell and green breaking 6 foot waves.
Everyone ripped on in, a few cracking rolls were performed
and to finish the afternoon off, basic rescue skills were
taught.
This is when it may be advisable to be wary of the Bude Rip
in a dry suit.
Whilst trying to video the group, Buddy was taken by the
rip, and, was soon in trouble along with Grant "Gumps" Pring.
Once Buddy was back on shore, during an interview with Ken
Baillie News24, he stated.." I would like to thank the young
blond RNLI Lifeguard, it was apparently his first rescue of
the summer"...
Therefore the IOPCC has utilised the Cornwall RNLI on two
occasions, and would like to pass on their thanks!
Taking that aside, it was a cracking weekend, great surf,
fabulous coaching and company....
Roll on May.... |
 |
 |
| Gary at his
best...dry land! |
Buddy paddling out |
| |
|
 |
 |
| Mark |
On the beach |
| |
|
 |
 |
| Jamie the Guru |
Ken...official RNLI
mascot |
| |
|
 |
 |
| Covering all the
options |
Determination |
| |
|
 |
 |
| Buddy...probably
talking bo****ks |
Buddy again |
| |
|
 |
Team IOPCC with Jamie
Shame that Mark is so shy!! |
| |
|
