[Paddlewise] Dumpie was on vacation

Hi friends, 
 
I read the trip reports of California kayaking on that September weekend
and there was no carnage. I thought it was a bit unusual, but found out
why right away.
 
I tried playing with my surfing kayak Delfin at the Zicatela beach,
South of Mexico in Puerto Escondido's Oaxaca Pacific Ocean prettiest
beach. Coincidentally there was an international surfing contest. Waves
were 16 to 19 feet with beautiful tubes. I was never going to run those.
My skills are not for that kind of challenge as you will see. Only the
idea of paddling through the breakers chilled my spine.
 
So I went to one edge of the bay expecting smaller waves more suitable
to my degree of competence and fear. Fortunately my friend Antonino was
there to film the outing and was lucky enough to find out where Dumpie
was. I can not say the same in regard to my luck since I also found out
where Dumpy was on vacation.
 
Less words and more action. You can see the whole thing in.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5uotQzq-Ws
 
Let me just mention that when the wave hit and the baot jumped to the
surface and the paddle sinked to the bottom I felt a clear elongation of
my spine, that I thought was bad, but I did not let go boat or paddle.
They were my ticket to safety. So after hell quieted down I rolled just
in time to receive the next of the set that took me straight to the
beach, and with that I had enough for the day. 
 
Anyway there is no bigger pleasure than surfing waves and I will have to
learn more in two directions. One on my skills and two, in finding out
where dumpy is fooling around. 
 
Lessons learned.
1.- Need some lessons in kayak surfing.
2.- My body and boat are pretty sturdy.
3.- When a breaker is going to fall on me, I MUST ROLL beforehand. I
will have to roll anyway.
4.- My roll passed the test three times, under more than realistic
conditions.
5.- It was fun. I can say that after counting all my bones. 
6.- It is always good to have a good photographer around.
 
Best Regards 
 
Rafael.
 
Mexico
rafaelmier_at_silidriel.com     rmiermaza_at_hotmail.com
mayanseas_at_prodigy.net.mx
www.silidriel.com <http://www.silidriel.com/>     www.mayanseas.com
<http://www.mayanseas.com/> 
ph 52-442-217-3095      52-442-217-3093      
nextel 52-442-148-0323      mobile 52-442-230-1776
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