====== Surfing ====== . {{https://surfski.wiki//lib/plugins/ckgedit/fckeditor/userfiles/image/locales/australia/moolaba.jpg?direct&550x382|moolaba.jpg}} **Mooloolaba, Australia Surf**, photo: from [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkNlMXI6NxE|video]] ---- [[https://tcsurfski.com/2016/09/16/accessible-form-surfing/|TCSurfski]] on the advantages of a surfski for all kinds of surfing. But don't be fooled by anything on this page or in the surfing videos into thinking this is a walk in the park. **Taking your surfski through surf** of any appreciable size takes **skill and practice** and involves considerable **risk** for your equipment and your body. South Africans and Australians have to learn and practice this in many places because they often have to go out through sizable surf just to get to their downwind run options and many of them have to learn to negotiate surf as an integral part of surf lifesaving. But even their best paddlers **sometimes destroy boats** and/or get **injured**. There is no magic formula that can always keep you from getting hammered because surf is not always easy to predict or correctly time (watch the [[https://www.youtube.com/@SurfLifeSavingAustralia|Aussies videos]]). [[:wave_basics|]] ---- {{:surf:2025_icf_worlds_dumpster_skisjpg.jpg?direct&400x300|2025_icf_worlds_dumpster_skisjpg.jpg}} **Shore Breakage 2025 ICF Championships Durban SA, photo: Matt Drayer?** [[https://www.facebook.com/reel/1310534580303451|Doubles Race Carnage Video]] (facebook) ---- \\ Keep in mind that surfskis can catch **swell waves much farther from shore** than surfers can, leaving the option to bail off of waves well before they reach the point where they break. Also, days when waves are not great for board surfing, when the waves are not breaking and might be described as "mushy" by board surfers can be better times for surfski surfing and sometimes "easier" passage through the **surfzone**.\\ ---- ===== Getting In and Out Through The Surfzone ===== * [[http://www.andrewlosli.com/Surfski.html|Andrew Losli - Paddling in the Surfzone]] * **Beginners** * **Birch Bay, WA** (beginner level shorebreak for folks who rarely have to deal with it - warmer water would also encourage more practice) * [[:birch_bay_shore_break|Birch Bay 2015]] * [[:birch_bay_shore_break_2021|Birch Bay 2021]] * [[https://www.calipaddler.com/blogs/paddle-articles/tips-paddling-in-and-out-through-surf|Calipaddler Tips for Paddling In and Out of Surf]] * Joe Glickman [[https://youtu.be/rKIPxy1DHcQ|getting a lesson in shorebreak 2011]] * [[https://youtu.be/HVlVy1_aLu0|Julian Norton-Smith - starting in the surf]] * [[https://www.facebook.com/reel/753409864368219|Paddle2Fitness Beach Landing Tips]] (facebook video) * [[https://youtu.be/E4MQTFpz0Co|Timing on getting in and out of shore break video (Aussie Surf Lifesaving Ski Race)]] * … ---- **Surf Zone Tips For Novices** {{youtube>o6ZE9sr2vCU}} . {{youtube>Ey6JH49HrBE}} ---- Sharon Armstrong Demonstrates **Patience and Timing Going Out and Getting In Through Surf** {{youtube>vSOhsM_k3sM}} . {{youtube>kBluMMcryNQ?start=242}} ---- **Getting Through Multiple Surf Breaks - Mocke Paddling** {{youtube>_iSa-f4w_1o}} ---- **Skinny Capucino Pushing the Boundaries** {{youtube>GUGoFNfPhuo}} ---- ===== Surfing (for practice and fun) ===== The Mockes often include surfing practice in [[:terminology#waves|shore break]] (in appropriate conditions) in their surfski courses and camps. With waves that are not too steep or close together this can be great fun, and it is also very good training for learning how to control your ski on waves - which will carry over to better wave surfing when downwinding. If your home doesn't have any consistent shorebreaks, look around and see what you might be able to use, whether it is a nearby [[:tidalrace:tidal_races|tide race]] with standing waves or waves moving up a river or a spot within reasonable driving distance that has [[:surf#surfing_boat_wakes_wash|surfable boat wakes]]. Some day you may even want to travel to one of those [[:surf#longest_waves_for_surfing|ultimate wave locations]] to catch a 3-6 minute ride. Check with local surfers if you can and learn how to recognize good surfing conditions for surfskis. Often when the waves get mushy and what board surfers consider to be not good for surfing it can be safer and fun for surfskis. * [[https://surfski.info/latest-news/story/1681/big-wave-surfing-jasper-mocke-interview.html|Jasper Mocke on Big Wave Surfing]] (surfski.info) * … ---- **Mocke Brothers - Choosing Waves to Surf** {{youtube>fv4t4oJv8uo?large}} . ---- **Mocke Brothers & Kyle Friedenstein Advanced Surfski Surfing Kalk Bay, Cape Town** {{youtube>wFgJN9XmpS4?large}} . ---- ===== Getting Caught Sideways in Surf ===== * [[https://youtu.be/HRmHcchmfIY|Wrong Place, Wrong Time Sideways, Boyan]] (larger waves where you really need to bail out before they reach you) * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH_CQR4jMo4|Typical Flipping Forces from Waves]] (talking about sea kayaks, but applicable for surfskis for smaller waves) * … ---- ===== Videos ===== * [[:surfing_vids|Surfing Video Collection]] * Instagram Video - [[https://www.instagram.com/p/C24QM_qPovX/|Patience & Timing Getting Out Through Surfzone]] * **Jasper Mocke** catching swell near **Muizenberg** and giving **tips on surfing** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZFMfecmnb8|video]] * [[https://www.facebook.com/groups/2425160797629000/|Wave Chasers]] (facebook group) ---- **Great Surfing Video in Australia (Experts with Plastic Surfskis)** {{youtube>eF9GqIOFHHc?large}} . **Youtube Technical Comments About This Aussie Video**: \\ **Frank Ladd**: Wow! I do want to suggest **surf handles** for your boats. These are //nylon straps with knots in them that tie to your hard handles and clear the end of your boat.// The strap bounces along in the water and does not significantly slow you down. When you crash you have an easy way to grip your boat at the end without the end of the boat beating your hands up. Very handy if you get caught on the inside out of your boat. **Hamish Worsley**: Thanks Frank, that's a good call. Holding the boat after a stack is always a challenge and often we just let them go if its pretty big and take the swim! We have used leg-ropes but they can tangle you up and drag you with the boat in big surf, which is not ideal! **Mark Schroeder**: Awesome guys. Curious.. did you go leashless? Any issues losing the boats/long swims in wipeouts? Also noticed no pfds, presumably to be able to duck diver under? **Hamish Worsley**: Hi Mark. We generally are leashless (except small waves in crowded areas) but you're right, this means some pretty long swims! We have trialed a leash a few times but I think it increases the risk in bigger surf (straining your hip or being dragged underwater with your boat). We counter that by going out in a group of at least two, so one can generally help with the boat rescue! //We are also increasingly wearing **impact vests**// , which help provide some protection and buoyancy but still let you dive. ---- **Las Canteras Beach Surfing - Gran Canaria Island ** **{{:surf:gran_canary.jpg?direct&300x180|gran_canary.jpg}}** photo from [[https://youtu.be/BUeSbyx-8Mg|video]] . **Haifa, Israel Surfing - Dueling Flippers** **{{https://surfski.wiki//lib/plugins/ckgedit/fckeditor/userfiles/image/surf/haifa_doublesurf.jpg?direct&300x188|haifa_doublesurf.jpg}}** photo from [[https://youtu.be/R3_2j2mAcJU|video]] ---- ===== Long Waves for Surfing ===== If and how often some of these waves may be good for surfski surfing is not completely clear to us, although we have seen surfski surfing videos from almost all of these locations (Chicama being an exception). Some of these waves have been proven to have days providing long, reasonably friendly rides (at least for skilled surfkski surfers), while others may need to be avoided or more carefully ridden away from their breaking areas even on their better days for surfskis. All the usual precautions apply; and talk to locals; and consider whether it would be better to be in a more durable plastic surfski or a spec surfski. * [[:new_south_wales#sydney|Box Head]] (look at the surfing section for Sydney, NSW, Australia, north of Palm Beach) * [[:bundeena_bar|Bundeena Bar]] Sydney, NSW, Australia - great waves for surfski surfing * [[:cape_recife|Cape Recife]], Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa [[https://youtu.be/5ZL7-rgp_fk|Video]] * [[:peru#surf|Chicama Peru]] [[https://youtu.be/ujIzDNFjLmc|Video]] * [[:northern_spain_videos|Coastal Inlets Northern Spain]] * [[:new_south_wales#newcastle_and_nearby|Lake Entrance Lake Macquarie]], Newcastle, NSW, Australia * [[:queensland#surf1|Noosa Heads]] Queensland, Australia * [[:kwa_zulu_natal#surf|The Mound, Durban, South Africa]] - infrequent, requires large swell [[https://youtu.be/Q-B6R-EYU9M|video]], [[https://youtu.be/vSsaVQ1VE-Y?t=38|video]] * **See also** * Our [[:surfski_downwind_videos#unusual_locations|Long Wave Surfski Surfing Videos]] * [[https://youtu.be/am9mH0sLGfg|Longest Waves Video]] (surfer perspective - no consideration in terms of whether any of these places work for surfskis) * … ---- ===== Surfing Boat Wakes & Wash ===== ---- This is about riding behind larger boats - powered by motors usually, but sailboats can provide fine rides also. If you have access to a shipping channel or some water where there is large boat or ship traffic, be aware of the interaction between water depth and boat wakes (refer to "breaking waves" above) and where it is better to position yourself. Shallower water can cause boat wakes (like all waves) to steepen and possibly break. This may be good for surfing where it allows you to more easily catch boat wakes (particularly from smaller boats) if they get somewhat bigger and steeper, or it can make already good size wakes too big, too steep, breaking, and more dangerous than you want to deal with. * [[:surfable_boat_wakes|Where to Find Boat Wakes]] * **Discussion** * [[https://www.facebook.com/share/p/166cmLWQHt/|Surfing Boat Wakes with Spec Skis]] (facebook discussion) * [[https://www.surfski.info/forum/15-tips/19197-paddling-close-to-small-and-big-ships.html|Surfski.info Discussion On Riding Boat Wakes 4/2018]] * **Examples** * [[:wake_riding|Boat Wake/Wash Riding Videos]] (good examples of wide variety of boats that can have surf worthy wakes) * [[:world_s_best_downwind#bucket_list_boat_wakes|Bucket List Boat Wakes]] * **Safety** * [[https://www.salmonbaypaddle.com/boat-wake-surfing-for-paddlers/|Safety Tips for Boat Wake Surfing]] * [[https://www.surfski.info/forum/15-tips/19197-paddling-close-to-small-and-big-ships.html|Surfski.info safety/protocols in boat wake surfing discussion]] * [[:right_way|Right of Way Rules]] * [[:wave_basics#boat_wake_waves|More About Boat Wake Formation]] * … post by** Impala on surfski.info:** \\ The **greatest danger of riding ship wakes in crowded areas is** that you lose focus of the **other ships crossing the course of the ship you are riding**. This happens to me from time to time … I ride a stern wake, lose it eventually, and suddenly realise that a river ferry wanted to cross right behind the stern of my towboat. We both had **no chance to see each other because the big ship was blocking the vision**. In the case of ferries at least I know where to expect them, but on open water, you never know what comes your way. So I would still try, but **only ride stern waves in a safe distance BEHIND** that **allows** me **180 degrees visual control**. The wakes of a big ship should be big enough still in 100 m aft distance. \\ ---- J**efferson Sestaro Riding Ship Wake - Santos Estuary, Brazil** {{youtube>RjAmnHHiHZU}} ---- ===== Further Reading/Research on Surf(ing) ===== * If you want to learn more about surf you could sign up on a website like [[https://www.surfline.com/|surfline]]. The emphasis there is more about traditional board surfing but there is much to learn and understand about waves and wave prediction that could help with surfski surfing. * More [[:wave_basics|about waves]] * If you want to do a fair amount of surfing with a surfski you might want to consider a [[:terminology#boat_classifications|spec ]]or [[:plastic_surfskis|plastic]] ski. This wiki is primarily focused on **ocean racing surfskis**, but they are not necessarily the best solution for the range of function that everyone may wish to have - given their local paddling options and preferences. ---- **What Surf Practice Can Look Like** {{youtube>A5gycx7STNo?large}}