A Year of Stand Up Paddle Surfing

I’ve just completed my first year of SUP surfing. I celebrated by catching a weekend of waves at Tiana with Steve (OG Puffin), who was himself catching his own first SUP waves. Sunday was my 44th day in the waves sans sail…precisely one year after Jeff talked me into trying waveSUPing. That day was gentle two-footers…last Sunday featured six and seven footers with the nasty habit of closing out with little notice. I had to dive out the back of one bomber that took my board, yanked hard and snapped my leash. Thus began the long swim, with thoughts of my board (please let it not hit anybody, please let someone yank it out of the break before it gets broke). After two minutes of swimming I saw Jeff paddling out with my board across his board. What a save! But Jeff wasn’t finished. A minute later he was rescuing another board, that another SUPper had lost when his leash broke. Double bad luck, double good luck. Jeff has some good karma on account.

(Top: Peter and Steve catch one. Bottom: The editor goes left. These and many more photos of the weekend's sessions can be found on Jeff's Flickr page.  Or you can go to Jeff's blog for video from the weekend, as well as photos.)

Comments

[Steve]

Puffins,
Wow! It's amaZing how calm I look before the buttwhipping. Actually, I am so blown away by the fun one can have without wind.... Be4 leaving Sunday,I watched three supsters getting some in the swell. Jon Ford: mostly highlight reel but the occasional ingnominy. Jeff, also, suprisinly, getting out without much rinsing and getting regal wave time. But Pete, had 5 washouts ina row without getting out. I admire this man most. He is one tough Mother...(watch ur mouth). Thanx guys. This was waay special.
Steve (OG Puffin)