Virginia Beach Surf Kayakers

VBSK: Where is your favorite surfing spot (locally and overal)l?

Jim: Little Island Sandbridge Boca Barranca Costa Rica (longest peeling wave I've ever surfed)

VBSK: How did you become involved with paddle surfing? (please elaborate)

Jim: I started my paddle surfing with sea kayaks. I liked the fact that they allowed me to get to areas otherwise unaccessible (Eastern Shore Islands, etc). I also like being able to catch the wave earlier for a longer ride. But I soon realized the restrictions of surfing an 18 foot craft and really wanted something more maneuverable.

VBSK: What's your most memorable paddle surfing experience? (brief story or awards earned - try to frame the moment!)

Jim: I would say that one day last summer has to be one of my best memories. A tropical storm had formed off shore and was pumping in some head high waves. It was a weekday and my nephew was visiting from out of town. We loaded up the surf craft, a Perception Five-O and my Island Waveski and headed for S-Turns in Sandbridge at the crack of dawn. As we topped the dune we were greeted by a sight that sends waves of euphoria through any surfer, no matter what they surf. Head high waves of pure glass. Peeling off left and right, with enough interval between sets to make the paddle out fairly easy. Everything just came together that day, offshore winds, low tide around sunrise and a storm providing the waves. I got some of the fastest rides I'd ever had on the ski, which was still fairly new. To this day I swear that the wind was whistling in my ears on one particular ride. I flew off the backside with a grin from ear to ear. After awhile I went back to the car to get my camera. I stood on the beach ready to snap a couple photos of my nephew surfing and a big set rolled in. Josh paddled for the first of the set, caught it and went straight to the bottom. He pearled pretty hard and for the next few seconds it was white water, orange boat, white water, orange boat, etc. Then I saw him swimming the boat in. Turns out that the force of the wave, and I'm sure some metal fatigue, had caused the snap hook to break. It probably was for the best though. It was close to noon and we were both exhausted. You cant ask for a much better day than that.

VBSK: What do you enjoy most about paddle surfing?

Jim: There is something about surfing, where you are either quietly contemplating lifes little mysteries while sitting and waiting for the next set, or you are lost in the moment of carving down the face of a wave, with no thought to anything else but setting up for the next turn, or getting out without getting pounded.

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VBSK: Where do you see the future of paddle surfing?

Jim: I don't think paddle surfing will ever become mainstream. Most surfers view us as oddballs, who either have disabilities keeping us from board surfing, or old men who just don't care to board surf. Truth is, most of us come from board surfing and we just enjoy using a different craft to catch waves

VBSK: What is your opinion on the battle of supremacy between surf kayaks and waveskis?

Jim: I think it's a ridiculous battle, each craft has it's place. Does a golfer go out with only one club? How many fishermen have only one rod, or one lure. I say, enjoy the stoke, surf the craft that works best for the current conditions and have fun.

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VBSK: Any advice to beginner paddle surfers?

Jim: Become a strong swimmer. Don't go out in conditions you cant handle or cant safely swim to shore in. Learn the rhythms of the ocean. And, (I'll probably catch flak for this one) learn how to roll, it's just one more tool to enhance your enjoyment of wave riding.