Danny Mongno teaching in the surf. Photo: Richard Davis

Fun in the sun on Tybee Island at the BCU Skills Symposium and Tybee Island Surf Jam. Click here for more photos.

In these days of economic doom and gloom everyone seems to assume things are going a bit quiet here in Ireland with the Celtic Tiger whimpering into his recessionary cage, tail firmly between his legs. But here’s a quick update just to let you know that the paddling scene over here is alive and hopping!

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Last year, P&H launched their new “kink-free” skeg system. The system combines the best of both worlds: the ease of maintenance of a rope skeg with the precise trimming found in cable skegs. Moreover, the system is lightweight and fully field maintainable. While some kayak companies are making things more complicated (pneumatic skegs, for instance), I think the P&H approach of simple solutions for simple problems makes a great deal of sense.

Like anything new, however, there’s a bit of a learning curve involved as people learn how the new technology functions. In my travels this summer, I’ve come across a few paddlers who’ve said they find the new skeg difficult to deploy. As it turns out, every one of those individuals was engaging the click slider on the skeg the wrong way. As soon as I showed them the correct technique (pushing forward to unlock the slider, not squeezing the trigger!), they were thrilled.

To get the word out, I put together this little video going over the system, how to deploy it, and how to adjust the tension on the skeg. Considering I was able to remove and replace the skeg system with one hand, while filming with my digital camera in the other, I’d say it’s pretty easy…even for a guy with two left thumbs like me! Enjoy!

Hi from baltic Germany

I am Björn from Germany and I often paddle on the Baltic Sea togehter with my friends. When we go “paddle surfing” I will take my Quest.

But see for yourself:

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Anticipation was building as we pulled into Grand Marais Michigan for the Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium. The wind had been blowing out of the north all day and conditions looked good for picking up some rare summertime surfing on the big lake. Superior did not disappoint, we got a few hours of good surf time in playing the reflecting waves off the big breakwater at the west end of the harbor entrance. (more…)

We ran throught the new ACA outline for Beginner Surf Kayak last weekend. ‘

New’ meaning the use of S.O.T’s. I believe. Implimented by Ben Lawry, it does makes a lot of sense. Anyway, the Surf Jet proved a great ‘entry level’ craft for what we were doing. . The  Jets work well because they are light weight and very maneuverable, easy to slash the tail around giving students a good feel for turning on a wave….The ladies were completely juiced up by the end of the session and checking out Tybee surf side real estate. Some more pictures….

The much heavier ‘Scambler’ was easy to catch waves on but lacked any other  real ’surf kayak’ characteristics . 

Conditions were  ideal 1-2ft with a 3fter out back every now and then. The Jets were easy on , easy off.

  Small waves, small class, big fun…and about 5000 spectators.

Ben Lawry came to Redding this week for a visit, and we got to have some fun on the river while he was here. (more…)

Surfing all day video

What is the perfect wave? It’s any wave you can catch and play on all day! (more…)

Winter seems to have finally relaxed its grip, and I managed to get out for a little spring surfing yesterday.    The water is still quite cold (36F / 2C) and despite a sunny, 55F / 13C day,  a steady 20kn onshore wind made temps feel downright frigid. (more…)