Hey woodhead,I normally surf on a Spirit Crosstrainer,a West australian design. I bought it when I was surfing boards in competions to keep fit on during summer when there is not much swell.The first big comp of the year is the Yallingup Malibu where I have surfed up to 10 or 12 ft which is pretty heavy when you haven't paddled for 3 months .First I was paddling it on flat water ,I imagined a couple of paddles and I would be ready for the Avon Descent.Wrong ,I think I paddled it about 500 mtrs and I can understand the pain women go through at childbirth as a result.But stuck with it ,got bored with flat water and tried in the surf.It's a sot with a kayak hull shape and a rudder '4.2 mtrs long,fairly fast to paddle, ,I can still remember the first wave 'what a fantastic feeling,next came learning to power turn it and cutback ,now when ever there's swell I'm out there.Then I got into sea kayaks and I surf them as well but they don't power turn as well as the spirit ,and when you get caught inside by a big set or get hammered by a big wave you can always bail out and have a swim. It's easy to get back on and I love it .But now that i've learned to roll the other 2 sit ins I have are also good fun on the right beach but when it gets heavy give me the crosstrainer anyday.
Edited by wavehog (07/14/08 03:57 AM)