Re: [Paddlewise] waves in california

Expand this video to full size before starting it, it's much better than
the youtube versions which are circulating.  The surf ski going over the
wave is in the first video sequence, and if you don't expand it to full
size you miss out.   The paddler has a nice comfortable angle for
getting over the break.

The following was posted to the surf ski mailing list and includes
comments by Rich Sprout, the guy in the surf ski which is going over the
wave.


To: "surfski group" <surfski_at_yahoogroups.com>
Date: Sun, 4 Sep 2011 04:23:13 -0700
Subject: Re: [surfski] Re: Interesting surfski picture at the Wedge in
Newport Beach

Here is better video:

http://vimeo.com/28541229

That must have been one of the best waves of the entire swell at the
Wedge.

My opinion on this incident: that was one of the coolest things I've
ever
seen. An exceptional Wedge peak with a surfski paddler closest to it.
Rich
got over it and made it look easy.

Maybe someday someone will be facing the other direction on such a wave.

Would you sacrifice a ski for everlasting glory?

BTW Rich, is there a reason you chose your Elite over a spec ski that
day?

On Sat, Sep 3, 2011 at 1:56 PM, ZZZ wrote:

> **
>
>
> My name is Rich Sprout
>
> I am the paddler in the "fake" pic at the wedge.
> There were 250 people standing on the beach watching and filming the waves,
> there is more than one photo out there. There is also a video of it on
> youtube.
>
> I was a lifeguard for 10 years, 5 in Newport Beach and 5 years and in South
> Africa.
> I paddle in the harbor and ocean nearly every day, sometimes twice a day.
> I am on the USA national Sprint Kayak team, I am a waterman and an
> accomplished swimmer and surfer. I knew exactly what I was doing. I am not
> stupid or crazy or on drugs. I train hard, I am confident, experienced and I
> trust my equipment (fenn elite ski and jantex gamma paddle) oh yes, and I
> have BALLS. I was having a great time, I was not scared nor did I endanger
> myself or anyone else.
>
> This wasn't an isolated incident. There is a small crew of guys here in
> SoCal that paddle out and catch big waves every time there is a swell. This
> is just the first time someone has filmed it and let you see. There are guys
> in South Africa and Australia that do it too. I go to Hawaii twice a year
> and surf massive waves on my ski with some friends that live on the north
> shore of Kauai. The break we surf is about 2km out to sea so nobody sees or
> films it. We dont care that nobody takes photos because we do it for fun not
> recognition.
>
> You can do so much more with a surfski than just paddle in a inlet or
> harbor, just be smart about it.
>
> Anyone with any questions can please feel free to call me on cell 

< snip > 

>
> Regards
>
> Rich Sprout
>
>
> --- In surfski_at_yahoogroups.com, S1_at_... wrote:
> >
> > RE/
> > >you have some catching up to do. That's Rich Sprout from So Cal and
> > >member of the US Kayak sprint team. See the video:

-- 
  Kirk Olsen
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