Folly Beach Surf Class

Water temps for the SE are now into the lower 60's. At Savannah Canoe and Kayak we held our first Surf Kayak class of 2008, at Folly Beach (March 24th). We started out in surf boats but dropped back to SOT's for a little more comfort. The flat water portion of the class, if nothing else, works as great ice breaker and 'loosener'. It is an important and necessary first part of the progression. Yes, in some cases students do go over fairly rudamentary stuff that they already know, but combined with a visualization of where and when the stroke is used it starts to put the student in the surf zone before being in it, even seeing it. It's a great opportunity for the instructor to prepare the students mentally. This is important as it becomes harder to do this 'self visulization' if the class starts on the beach.

After running a bunch of classes last year I have noticed that women take to SoT's much quicker than men. They are much less inhibited and soon feel at ease. The Men seem a little more inhibited, generally slower and hang back. Sounds to me like a great niche for some female surf instructors. ...where are they ?

Surf conditions were small (2ft) but very clean, great shoulders and ideal for the 3 students involved. They got the stoke, their lives now changed for ever. Next class on Tybee Island - April 13th.

ACA Rewrites, Overhauls Surf Program

ACA Surf Kayak Instructors wanted.

Good to mediocre rates of pay and all the surf you can eat.

Must be flexible and willing to teach by example and have a strong empathy for beginners.

Opportunities for promotion to the West Coast, East Indian Surf Breaks and possible International Surf Teams.

Requirements : Strong foundation in basic paddling skills.

A desire to shred. Complete and pass an ACA ICW.

For the last 12 months the ACA, via Ben Lawry, have been busy rewriting the paddle surfing curriculum.

" I saw a chap at the beach on his S.o.T taking a terrific beating, endangering himself and all the other beach users" said Lawry when asked 'why ?'.

"The ACA has always had a surf program, but it did not address the recreational users on SoTs and Skis so it seemed like a good time to overhaul the whole program".

In the last year, Ben has conducted many Instructor Certification Workshops (ICW). The last one was two weeks ago in Santa Cruz. After each workshop, the course outline has been re-written until it now encompasses the full spectrum of paddler/surfer abilities in a variety of surf craft, in a progressive and safe format. The final step of this process will be conducted at Virginia Beach this coming November. Existing Surf Instructors will be updated and upgraded and new instructors brought into the program. All are welcome. Reserve your place now.

Instructor Certification workshops:

ICW - Savannah -May 10/11 -Basic Surf Kayak

ICW - Port Angeles - Sept 13/14/15 -SoT/ Basic Surf Kayak

ICW - Rhode Island - Sept 27/28/29 -SoT / Basic Surf Kayak

ITDW & Surf Committee meeting -Virginia Beach -Nov 1/2/3

West Coast checking in...

Thanks to Ben and Nigel for generating the momentum with this and the surf kayak instructor courses. We really enjoyed our course at Santa Cruz a couple of weeks ago. It was the right mix of learning and play. I will touch base with as many west coasters as possible at the SCKSF this weekend and get back with a West Coast calendar soonest. Here's hoping that Steamer Lane turns on the juice!

Welcome and Thanks

Hello all,
Thanks to Nigel for setting this up -- I hope we can use it to it's full advantage.

Quick reminder about November -- nearly time to start thinking about it. If you think we need to cover some thing -- let me know.

Happy Surfing and Good Luck to those at Santa Cruz this weekend!
Ben

Calendar of Competitions for the East Coast

April 26, Cocoa Beach ,FL. put on by Island waveski. This is a United States Waveski Association event, not ACA or ESKA. Double elimination format. Super fun contest! Cash to the winner of the "Open" division, other awards for division winners. contact Roy at Island waveski 321-783-5194

May 3, OBX, kill devil hills, NC. Most likely place to have big contest waves and require new gear and boat repairs afterwards. ESKA sanctioned. Usually has door prizes. Contact Kitty Hawk Kites 877-fly-this Ask for Wes.

May 17, Surf city, NC. Tsunami smash!!! Highlights: Cool T-shirts, Winner of the beginner category gets $500 gift certificate towards a new Tsunami waveski. "Wide Open" or "surf what you brung" division" has a cash payout to the winner. lots of door prizes. Contact Gordon Rock 910-228-7625

September 27. Wrightsville Beach, NC details TBA Contact Gordon at 910-228-7625

October 18, Charleston,SC known for the most coveted trophy on the circuit. Most organized contest around, T-shirts and lots of door prizes. Contact Charleston County Parks and Rec 843-795-7275

Additional dates are possible.

Gordon

Welcome Surf Committee Members

This is our blog for us to write and all to read.
It is a place to post up coming ACA Surf classes, stories of past classes, news reports and information about the world of paddle surfing. It does not have to be restricted to only ACA relevant content. It is not a forum for 'chat' or for selling gear. Postings need to be informative for all visitors, up to date and relevant to the processes of teaching surf kayaking and paddle surfing competitions. Please add links to it from your websites and direct all and any paddlers to it. And it only works if we keep it up to date. If you have other links you want added then let me know.
Most importantly, it carries the ACA logo and all that it signifies and stands for.
It is a temporary site until something else happens.
So, lets have some fun.
Nigel