[Paddlewise] Big BIG Surf

Hello all,

Caveman asked me to send this to PaddleWise.  I think it relates to
wearing (or when it's best not to wear) a PFD.  There is mention of
filming waves at 80 to 100 foot at Wiamea.  I'm not sure, but I think
Caveman means "lunatic roots" rather than "rots."  I think :-)

I was watching the news last week and saw where a videographer is filming
big-wave surfing.  There is a contest in the works for footage of the
biggest wave surfed in the timeframe of Nov 1, 1997 - March 15, 1998.  
The K2 Big Wave Challenge involves some really monstrous waves due to
El Nino.  According to the news report, the largest wave filmed finished
by a surfer was 80 something feet but the surfer was disqualified because 
he had to be towed into the wave by a jet ski due to the speed of such a
wave.  I dunno... however, it did look pretty mountainous and the surfer
dropped rather than rode down the face while remaining upright on the board.
I've been told the surfers use foot straps on their boards for these stunts.
I didn't see any kayaks in the news report, however.  Duck dive advantage 
would be required for these monsters.  I also have word (this is for you
Caveman) there is a big swell on the way tomorrow (maybe 30').  

Just for fun, if anyone would like to see some impressive footage of 
surfers in some monster waves (40 footers), check out the site for a movie
that is due out this month.  Click on the best format of the movie trailer
suited for your viewing (this is 9 meg, so it's slow to download but fun
to view)

http://www.spe.sony.com/movies/ingodshands/intro.html

yeah, it's a goofey plot but if I can find the movie, I'm going for the 
videography :-)

And if that just wets your appetite for watching people getting trashed
in the surf, for more viewing fun, check out the videos for last year's 
K2 Big Wave Winners and see some stuff you wouldn't wanna land a kayak in:

http://www.surfermag.com/gallery/surferawards/videoawrds/vidaward1.shtml

Cheers, Jackie

----- Begin Included Message -----

>From caveman_at_seacanoe.com Mon Mar  9 16:58 PST 1998
From: "John \"Caveman\"  Gray" <caveman_at_seacanoe.com>
To: "Jackie Fenton" <jackie_at_intelenet.net>
Subject: Fw: Wedge Forum Message 518
Date: Sun, 8 Mar 1998 10:00:04 +0700

Sawasdee and Aloha Jackie -

I can hardly wait until I'm back on-line and can subscribe to PaddleWise.
In the meantime, I dug this old message out of one of my bodysurfing
discussion groups.  Folks like Dave Kruger and the PFD exponents might be
amused, so please post this one for me.

You will soon see where the Caveman's lunatic rots were sprouted.

Thanks.

Caveman

PS:  Did you get your video yet?

-----Original Message-----
From: mesa2_at_earthlink.net <mesa2_at_earthlink.net>
To: caveman_at_loxinfo.co.th <caveman_at_loxinfo.co.th>
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 1998 4:11 AM
Subject: Wedge Forum Message 518


>
># Entered from dmpl4.cts.com (204.212.144.165).
>
>Tom Lynch posted the following article in the Wedge 'big wave' Forum:
>
>Dated  : February 10, 1998 at 14:09:18
>Subject: Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic
>
>I was able to check out the 1998 Bonzai Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic, which
was held two mondays ago at, uh, pipeline.  Conditions were not looking
favorable as late as sunday night, all blown out, ugly.  I made plans to
venture on a daylong excursion  on monday, as my hormones were kicking in,
but luckily, I made a wise decision to check the surf before committing to a
day on the east side of the island with a new female aquaintance from
Zambabwe.  Well, as a result of the surfcheck,  the blonde African
imperialist made the journey alone, never to be seen by my eyes again...
>
>The surf at pipe was a clean 6'++, and the first heat was on.  I captured
all subsequent heats on video, including a final that was dominated by Mike
Stewart.  Stewart won the event, and the first place prize, a free skydiving
excursion.
>
>The contest featured some classic tuberides and some really heavy spit.
Wipeouts were few and far between.
>
>Of note: Stewart was wearing Vipers.
>
>I will be editing the contest footage, and should have a video available in
a couple months.  Also to be included in the vid will be some shots of
HHHUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGE Wiamea from big wednesday.   Pinballs was
unrideable at a mean 20'++.  Outside was clocked at 40' (all height
estimates are based on local expert opinion, and of course are "backs".)
Sets were closing out the bay.  Buttons K (I can't remember how to spell his
last name, but you know him) told me he had not seen surf like that since he
was 10 years old, and he is in his mid forties.
>
>Also of note:
>IMAX was filming tow-ins 2 miles off Logcabins with helicopters on big wed.
Rumors of 80'-100' faces were running rampant all over northshore.  A Wiamea
lifeguard (Tom) told me that the helicopters were dissapearing behind set
waves as they dipped in to film.  That footage should be absolutely sick, so
watch for it.
>
>Tom

----- End Included Message -----

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