Words:
Simon Hammond –
England Surf Kayak Team Coach
Photos:
Shoreline Extreme Sports –
info@shorelineactivities.co.uk
Bio
Simon Hammond is a former World Surf Kayak Champion and author of the book Surf Kayaking: The Essential Guide. He runs a small kayak coaching business in the town called Shoreline Extreme Sports and is always happy to provide help or advice.
Email: info@shorelineactivities.co.uk
Web: www.shorelineactivities.co.uk
Tel: 01288 354039
World Surf Kayaking champs here in the UK
Whilst the national teams have been spending the last three months with their final preparations for the upcoming World Surf Kayaking Championships, the rest of the surf kayaking community has been having a great time enjoying one of the best surfing seasons the UK has had for several years.
Bude, the traditional home of surf kayaking in the UK, will be hosting the 2022 World Surf Kayaking Championships between 29th September and 9th October this year. This small North Cornish coastal town has been the go-to surf location for generations of UK paddlers ever since the founders of the BCU began to visit Bude every September in the 1960s, referring to this annual trip as ‘Bude Week’. The relaxed and friendly attitude of the local surfers and surf lifesavers has meant that kayakers have always been welcome in this corner of Cornwall with plenty of places to surf both north and south of the main town.
The focus of hosting the World Championships has given the sport of surf kayaking a real boost, and various groups have already benefitted from coaching and development opportunities. Clubs have been encouraged to come down and benefit from some of the best surf kayaking coaching in the world. Women’s development programmes are in progress, as is a junior development plan.
The hope is that this year is just the start of increasing participation and building paddlers surfing skills and knowledge. We want to get club coaches down over the winter to build up the number of skilful surf leaders and coaches around the country. It’s a great sport that shares many skills with other disciplines but also has some unique etiquette and features worth knowing if you want to maximise your surfing sessions.
Of course, we’re a bit biased, but nothing beats the feeling of surfing a beautiful peeling wave as you glide across its face turning up and down and bouncing off the white water as it nears the beach! The great thing about the sport is that there is always a wave that suits you, whether an unbroken green wave looming over your head or a small white water wave closer to the beach, you decide. Surfing is a WOW sport available to anyone on almost any craft!
So come along to the Worlds and have a look at the best and support your national teams. But also get in touch about coaching and development opportunities for you and your club. I’ll be happy to hear from you.
