Tez, no worries and happy to help but my roster hasn't been released for those dates yet so I can't lock anything in. My mates and I (all ride evokes, but I just bought a runway and a vex and keen to try both) surf at happies a fair bit. There a couple of other regular sup surfers there too. When I find out some dates I'll let you know as I'm way overdue for a surf. Cheers Geoff

tezza08 said...
Hi Geoff,
I was hoping you would be one of the guys that replied! reading your write ups on the Evoke and dealing with the lads at Mooloolaba SBW sold me on getting one! lol
As I said im new to it, 40 something and 90kegs but keen as to have a crack. Where is Happies? Any spots you would suggest for a novice where I wont piss anyone off?

Cheers Tez

No worries Tez, I'm about the same dimensions, 44 and 88kgs but started surfing when I was 13. My mates who surf with me are all a smidge over the ton and a few years older, with one who never surfed at all and another used to be only flat water sup.
Caloundra is pretty sup friendly. Happies is the nickname for "happy valley" which is first beach north of the mouth of the passage before kings beach. Great sup wave usually with a few suppers there and some mals too when the wind is light or westerly.
If you can take your board up to Mooloolaba and have a paddle around from the rock wall of the river mouth back down the beach and back again would help too. I've taught a few guys now and one of the hardest things to get used too is staying upright on the ocean and then catching a wave. Flat water is like walking on concrete where the ocean is always moving. Go for a bit of a paddle round there and get used to the swell etc moving under you. Try a few explosive paddle strokes (say 10 or so) on both sides and keep the board tracking straight to simulate trying to catch a wave. Knees bent as you have to get ready for the acceleration when the wave picks you up and lot of learners get kicked off the back as their not ready for it. Also "hybrid" stance is good to start with, with one foot slightly ahead of the other, say left heel in line with right toes if your a natural foot. It gives you a bit more forward and backward balance control.
Hope some of pointers help and when I see my roster I'll let you know. I'm away this week in a fishing comp! Giddy up. Cheers Whitey

Winds blowing up a wave today. Might be at happies tomorrow from 9 for a paddle with some of the boys. Haven't locked it in but will let you know.

im still on site in Chillagoe till 25th

Im down at happy valley most weekends with the sup. I'm indeed no pro but get a few good waves!

Hopefully I'll be there this tue and wed trying out my new vex, one of the few good thing about being a shift worker.

Fingers crossed!! It's been a real long time between drinks and I've got 2 new boards to try out.

Hey Tez, have you been for a paddle yet? Sorry but working day shifts all the way through to next Thursday so no surfing for me. I had another mate go to happies today and had a great little wave.

Looking good tomorrow.......at last . Nice little 1 to 2 ft with not much wind should be great

Good luck tomorrow mate, you'll smash it. If you're having dramas catching a wave standing, catch them on your knees and then jump up. That's what I did when I was learning. That way you still have fun and not crack the **s with it all.

tezza08 said...

yt04 said..
Good luck tomorrow mate, you'll smash it. If you're having dramas catching a wave standing, catch them on your knees and then jump up. That's what I did when I was learning. That way you still have fun and not crack the **s with it all.

I DID IT!!!!!!!! took your advice on the kneeling down and it worked a treat!!!! bit unsteady standing but I figure that will come with practice, I stood up first and paddled out and that was ok but trying to balance while just bobbing around waiting for a wave was a different story, same as trying to catch a wave while standing (a lot harder than you guys make it look!!!!) but I ended up catching 3 waves on my knees then stood up straight away! I even managed to surf the clean face of the wave for rides that felt like ages! once I was standing on the wave I was able to use my paddle and even get a fair few good strokes in! needles to say I am now hooked and will be a regular down at Happies!!!

Best feeling ever!!!

Good work Tez, welcome to the club!! You can't beat the feeling of catching waves, especially if you haven't done it for a long time. Balance and wave catching will come with a bit more practice. Just standing there waiting is hard, you can leave your paddle out in the water beside you to help with balance or just keep paddling around. It's easier if you're moving and you're also getting more practice.
When catching waves, bend your knees a bit more and sort of crouch Ito it a bit to help keep your forward / backward balance with the big strokes and the acceleration when you do catch one. Also try "hybrid" stance while catching waves where you put your front foot a bit forward of the other (front heel in line with rear toes while still facing forward if that makes sense). It helps heaps with the forward backward balance.
We'll have to definitely try and meet up for a paddle but both being on rosters may make it a bit harder.
Great work mate!!!!

Welcome scotchman, good year of birth to mate . Ask any questions you want as the only dumb one is the one that wasn't asked!!

I've only been doing this for about 4 years myself but grew up short board surfing. I've helped 3 mates learn now with 2 never surfing at all before. I'm still reading and learning everyday. Love it!!!

I went out again yesterday, was a bit better with the balance but still had to kneel to get a wave, more time on the water needed!!! Oh well back to work for a month then back on the board!!!

Sounds good tezz. And more fun to come .
When catching the waves make sure your moving as fast as you can ,
your board won't take off without you then .as a remembered when I was learning .off the back I'd go.
also if you are side on to the waves .....,it will rock .face your nose out to sea when waiting for the waves .
then turn around when you see them coming .and keep your paddle in the water all the time .its a great sea anchor.
enjoy the stoke .
tardy.

Loz79 said..
Just another tip too I picked up when I started a few years back is to cut down your paddle for surfing. Most new guys I see have their paddle quite long which is ok for cruising around but doesn't allow you to get your weight forward as much as a shorter paddle... Start a touch over head in length and see the difference... You will find you have to lean further forward when paddling but this extra weight forward should help to not fall off the back of the board as much on takeoff...

That's a good point, Might take the wife's adjustable paddle next time and give that a try, Thanks.