“Catching The Wave"

A bit of a different header image but he was looking so tired and kind-a-neat to pass up.

Last year we did very little surfing or at least I did very little surfing.  I fear we missed a lot of good waves. There is never a shortage here in Newfoundland. I think this year I’ll be able to convince a few of the gang, I’d dare say all of the gang, to embark on a couple surf sessions. Always fun, they are to me, and I always seem to learn something new.

So as I start to think and prepare, I’d like to imagine the wave for me.

Now there are many, many that know a hell of a lot more about waves than me, I’m thinking of our Malcolm here from our club, but I figure if we’re  going to play in waves we best do it safely.

One cannot underestimate the ferocity, the power and the energy a wave is all to willing to impart. We also know that when anything imparts energy on something else there is usually damage unless it is harnessed in some way.

Hmmmmm….I wonder where and when or exactly what our waves will be like. Well that new helmut might come in handy. If you need one, The Outfitters on Water Street has a 'Sweet' line down there.

"Black Water"

Sometimes when you paddle you are exposed to various colors of water. Doesn't really matter much...or does it? If your were paddling in/on a beautiful turquoise ocean near land and enjoying the soothing sun would the water affect your mood. The color I mean? Well if you've been on the earth awhile I am sure you heard of mood rings and how they change color to reflect your mood based on body temperature. I am wondering if the reverse can be true by having the color of the water during a paddle affect to some extent your accompanying mood. What about a sky blue ocean, undulating, rolling, echoing the reflection of a fair weather cumulus sky, would that be somewhat relaxing? Now what about a dark or black ocean pitted with rain drops and rising constantly above the horizon in the distance would that be intimidating, soothing, relaxing, intense....frightening?

I am moved by the colors of water I believe. Perhaps it is because they represent or reflect, to some extent, what is going on in the environment around you at the time. When we add the color to the concept of wave we can even get another mood alteration or emotional switch.Water is water, it is still wet no matter the color, it will still freeze given the right temperature and depending on salinity. How does frozen water affect your mood? I enjoy all the colors of water I paddle in and I allow them to affect my mood and sometimes look forward to their colors and their ways because it is after all the medium for kayak travel and as much as we are enticed by the colors of our boats and our gear so too can we be moved by our travelling medium.

"Beamer"

 There was nothing but confused waters on our paddle in ST. Philips today with a bit of swell. Paddling to Topsail Beach we had a moderate head wind with lots of lop and confused waters as the tide was changing. Coming back we were in following seas and made good time. 40 Min's back from Topsail but an hour and fifteen minutes to get there. On the way there however we had beam and quartering seas, such as this one that well almost caught me off gaurd. The neat thing about it though is that you can see reflections os my yellow boat in parts of the wave about to break. Maybe I'm just reading too much into the wave. lol

"Twilight Paddler"

  Graham is padling down the slope of a wave. St. Phillips is a sweet place to paddle and you are always in the company of a wicked sunset.

"Saline Flushing"

 It wouldn't be an outing for me if I didn't get a saline flush of some kind. Playing around some shallow areas of Trinity Bay on the Rantem outing today. Ya gotta like that sun shining thru the wave.

"Got One"

 Surfing waves is one thing .....trying to catch a picture while surfing is quite another.......at leat when you have the camera in one of your hands! Simply a blast.....

"Rinse Cycle"

 Whether I wanted that saline flush or not here it comes. Such were allot of the waves at Chance Cove in Newfoundland on this 25 degree Celsius day. Ya just had to be there!

"The Boiler-Maker"

Just a huge crashing, exploding and confused blast of energy and excitement as these waves fight to grip the shore.These waves are definitely no where near Californian or Hawaiian waves but their force is still pretty furocious when ya hit the right, maybe wrong , way.

"The Stringer"

 This wave looked stringy to me but kind of a fluffy dump when it completed it's cycle. These beach waves for the most part can be kind of intimidating and a bit of a nuisance during a put-in or take-out. Hopefully all gear is secured less what is on deck goes out on the exit surge as they dump all around you. Timing is everything but even the best laid plans or least little hold up makes you vulnerable as floatsam and high braces become your weapon in the face of the onslaught and the inevitable succession. Wave four in the series.

"The Plough"

 Pushing forward with it's mighty strength this wave was not only going to plough into you but also dump all the hell over you! Wave three of my series.

"The Fizz-ler"

 Kind of dissipating this one and looked like it was exploding as it came ashore in Trepassey NL. Wave two of my series.

"The Wall"

 Seeing how I am not paddling just now I thought I'd do a series of posts showing some waves I've met over the times. This one well, felt just like that, a wall on the face. Wave one of my series.

"Zoned"

We just were!! Pete, Brian and myself enjoying Salmonier run.

"Pick Eyes"

 
Seeing the effects of the 40 plus km/hr winds heading back from Green's Point and this is just off Pick Eyes. A bit of a task freeing my hands to snap this.

"Succession"

This is what they are in!

Waves at Chance Cove NL, 2007.

"Wind: The Wave Ripper"

The wind is in the process here of ripping some of the crashing crest of this wave and the spray is sparkling in the sun just poking thru.

"Bell Breakers"

From a Recent trip around Bell ISland.

"Waves Of Marine Drive"

I thought I lost the following wave shots I have just posted. I took a hike at the tail end of a hurricane from down south of the border last year and you will see that the sea was ferocious. I only wish that you could have heard the sound as each one of these waves would surely have been identified with as they lambasted shore. As distinct as their shape and size was the power of their voice.

"A Thundering Wave"

Gull didn't seem to mind!

"Churning Wave"