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<P><FONT size=3>3/28/08</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=3>Friday I drove down to San Diego for the Southwest Symposium and
after dropping my camping stuff off at Campland headed to the Marine Room at La
Jolla for a surf class with Sean Morley and Nigel Foster. There were about 10 of
us in the class including Chuck Freedman, Patric Martin, Mike Bode. I was also
happy to meet for the first time the builder of my Delfin kayak, Rafael Mier and
his son Gustavo who were up from Mexico to attend the symposium. Everyone seemed
competent kayakers with various levels of experience in the surf.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=3>We spent a bit of time talking in the sand and then headed out
for the hands on training. I paddled out alongside Patrick who expressed some
apprehension about his twitchy new boat, but looked like an old pro heading out
through the surf. The waves had seemed a bit small when we had arrived, but
picked up a bit and there were some challenging conditions for us novices. I
think I caught the first wave of the group and had a nice ride to shore, but the
paddle back out did not bode well for the day. A large wave broke in front of me
and knocked me over backwards. A bit winded already I didn't even try for a roll
and was probably the first in the group to swim as well. As someone who loves
puching his sea kayak through incoming waves, I'm a bit embarrassed that
punching through them in my surf boat is my major cause of carnage. Back on land
for a bit, I got a tip from Sean on how to bunny hop over the soup and tried to
put that to good use.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=3>A few of us moved a bit north of the Marine Room and while the
waves were of a good size, they were rather closed out and after a couple rides
we mingled back with the rest of the folk. Conditions seemed to get a lot better
with some green water on our sides to push our rides a bit. Every time I'd
paddled out I'd see Patrick out there with a big smile on his face till I
decided he must have carved it into his beard!! We were a bit crowded and I had
a couple near misses with Patrick that had his eyes widening a bit! Mike and I
shared a wave on one ride and both of us zigged when we should have zagged for a
bit of a collision, but we both stayed upright and Mike professed to be fine
later.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=3>For the rest of the three hours, I just tried to sqeeze in as
many rides as I could. Gustavo, only 16, seemed relentless and indefatigable
playing in the surf that he said was bigger than what he was used to. The bunny
hop served me in good stead and I found myself getting through waves that I felt
sure would swamp me. A one point heading out one of the big ones loomed in front
of me and I was sure of another swim. Next to me, Nigel was also paddling out
and I hoped that before I found myself upside down, I'd be able to at least see
how an expert would handle it, but what do you know, we both made it over! My
bunny hop maneuver alone was worth the price of admission!</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=3>I got some great rides and one of the best found me riding the
shoulder deep into the reef area we were supposed to avoid. In trying to pull
out of the wave, I got hit by another angling wave and found myself upside down
for only the second time on the day. With a bit more air in my lungs, I took
some time to compose myself and pulled out my first honest to goodness combat
roll to add to the day's success. Still I was in some rough water and at Seans
behest surfed some white water to a safer area.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=3>There were nothing but smiles on the faces of all the students
for the day and I don't doubt on Sean's or Nigel's either. I've stopped trying
to rate my latest surfing sessions because it just doesn't seem possible that
each on seems to be better than the last. But a handy tip and my first combat
roll makes this one I'll remember.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=3>Mark Sanders</FONT><SPAN class=906013220-30032008><FONT
face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2> </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN class=906013220-30032008> </SPAN><SPAN
class=906013220-30032008><FONT size=3><A
href="http://www.sandmarks.net">www.sandmarks.net</A></FONT></SPAN></P>
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