Do you what to enter a surf kayaking contest- <-xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Three years ago I went to a surf contest in Bude, I entered in my Inazone 232 and had a fantastic time. I met lots of other surfers; I capsized a lot and was exhausted by the end of the day. Because of the format of these contests I also helped judge, during which time I learnt a great deal about surfing and what was possible and some things that were not!

I came away inspired and my head was buzzing with all sorts of new techniques and manoeuvres to try. I entered a couple more contests and decided it was time to make the switch so I sold my inazone and bought a specialist surf kayak, I have never looked back since!

Several boats and many contests later I now take part in as many contests as I can. When I am free surfing I often see other paddlers out enjoying the surf and think that they would also love to take part I a contest.

I felt really nervous entering my first ever contest. My head flooded with thoughts of; “what if they are all ripping and I look like a wally- What if I take a swim and the whole beach has to be closed while the air/sea rescue helicopter is mobilised and a naval ship is taken off an important mission to rescue me from the beach- What if I don’t know what to do and everyone laughs at me-

Well with all this in mind I have put together some advice about entering your first contest, I have attempted to keep it to the absolute minimum so you can read it while having only one cup of tea, but apart from that you really do not need to know much to go along and enter a contest! 

Why compete in the first place-

• Meet likeminded surf kayakers, some with lots of experience and some with very little.
  
• Competing makes you surf in locations and conditions you might not otherwise go out in.  
  
• Competing makes you focus and surf as well as you can for short periods of time (15 or 20 minuet heats). You are very unlikely to focus as hard in your free surfing or even while being coached.
  
• You see how other people surf (some of the best surf kayakers in the country attend most contests). This means you can learn what works and what does not work with particular techniques and manoeuvres. You also get an impression of different styles as even at the top some of the paddlers surf a given wave in a very different style and manner.  
  
• Watching all these other people gives you ideas of manoeuvres/ways of surfing you might not have though about before.  
  
• You can pick up tips from the some of the experienced surfers
  
• Gives you the opportunity to complete in contests all over the UK and abroad, In 2005 alone there has been contests in Brittney, Mundaka (Spain), an American contest in California and recently the world championships took place in Costa Rica not to mention all the contests in Cornwall, Wales, Ireland etc.
  
• It can make you push both your technical skills and physical capacity in the sport much more than you ever would on a normal surf session

What is the format for the contests-

1. Check out the BCU surf website for dates and contact info about contests - www.bcusurf.org.uk .

2. Send your completed entry form to the competition organiser with a check (don’t send cash). You must then phone them on the Thursday evening before the event to check the conditions are suitable for the location it is planned to run at (sometimes a competition may be held further along the coast if the surf is due to be better there).

2. Waiting for others to arrive is a good time to have a look at the conditions and get a feel for what is going on in the surf, chat to other competitors and ensure you know where and when the briefing is.

3. Make sure you make the competitors briefing. This is where a brief outline of the competition format, judging and safety procedures are explained. There will be a notice board with the heats drawn up, check to see that your name is listed in one or more heats. Heats are drawn by a process where the seeded paddlers are spread out among all the heats and the unseaded paddlers then make up the remaining places, this means that you can expect to be in a heat with one seeded paddler and at least one other unseeded paddler. Remember or write down which heat you are in and what colour bib to wear. If heat times are not posted take a few minutes to work out when your heat should start (heats last 15 or 20 minutes).

4. Check the board as the day goes on to make sure the heats are running on schedule. When the competition starts, watch some heats to see what the waves and the other competitors are doing.

5. Observe some judging and after a heat or two offer to scribe. This is a great way to see what scores well and to get a better understanding of the rules. A few heats before yours is a good time to get changed and if possible catch a few waves – well away from the competition zone. Remember to get your boat checked out by the Competition Marshal in time to make any necessary arrangements i.e. borrow some air bags etc.

6. When the heat before yours starts, get your coloured bib, bring your boat to the beach and check in with the Competition Marshal (make sure you are in the right heat). Now you can take a few minutes to relax, stretch and prepare yourself mentally. You will also be the safety cover for the heat which is competing so make sure you are able to lend a helping hand if necessary.  

7. When the 'five minutes remaining’ hooter sounds (two blasts, yellow flag), you can paddle out and wait outside the competition zone. Find the other competitors in your heat and stick together. Do not surf in the competition zone before or after your heat.

8. When the end of heat hooter goes (three blasts, red flag), you can paddle into the surf zone and start positioning yourself for a wave. Watch out for the green flag (one horn blast) that indicates the start of your heat. Try and catch three waves in the first few minutes – you should take it easy with your first few waves, try and get some long easy rides in to start with (this gives you confidence and helps you get some marks on the score cards) as the heat progresses start to be more aggressive in your surfing but don’t try to do moves which you have never pulled off before! You are scored on your best three waves out of ten.

9. Don't waste time worrying about the other competitors – just surf the best you can and have some fun. When the end of heat hooter (red flag) sounds paddle straight in, check in with the Competition Marshal, hand in your bib and wait for your results to be posted. A black flag and repeated horn blasts indicates danger – paddle in or, if capable, give assistance.

What do I need-

To start competing you need a kayak, (this needs to have air bags, a length or tape or rope at each end, and full plate footrests) a paddle, a buoyancy aid, a helmet or a friend who is willing to lend you these things! You do not need a specialised surf kayak, a plastic GP or freestyle boat will be fine. (most contests have a separate class for plastic boats and this class is also Nationally ranked so if you enter your name will appear on the website and in the yearbook!

Don’t worry if you are missing the odd bit like tape or rope as you can normally borrow this from other competitors.  

How good do I need to be-

If you are confident catching waves in the surf and can roll you are good enough to compete. There is a core of people who attend nearly all the events throughout the year but at nearly every event there are newcomers who come along to see what it’s all about.

So there you have it, there is no excuse not to come along and have a bash. Just check out the website www.bcusurf.org.uk, decide which contest to enter and get out practicing.

Photos by: Jason Birt

Words by: Steve Bowens