December 20, 2011

Just got back from a little surf trip in Half Moon Bay, CA with Evan Lloyd.

The main bowl at Mavs wasn't working, so we surfed Mushroom Rock.  I'm working on the footage and will have a video up soon on my videos page...but here's a pic:

My dead Gopro...

There are two doors for the Gopro camera.  One for the water and one for everything else.  The door for everything else has openings in the back, allowing for audio.  Do not use this in the ocean.  Sea water has salt in it and will kill your camera.  

I was giving a surf lesson Monday and decided to mount the Gopro.  I had the wrong door on it - the one with the openings.  It got swamped and died.

The manufacturer advised me to put the camera in a bowl of rice.  That didn't help. 

So...I won't be posting videos for a while.  

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Today was a fun one at Sunset.  The winds were offshore, there was a little swell and the crowd was friendly.  There were many peaks shared by all.  Here's a little video for you:

Article for SUP Magazine - tips for surfing Maverick's

Hi…Wade Lawson from Team Tomahawk here.  It was 2004 when I first saw the movie “Riding Giants” at the Arclight theatre in Hollywood. Walking out of that place, I had no idea my world was about to get a lot more…interesting. 

That night, I made the decision to learn how to surf.  I was also gonna surf that place called Maverick’s.

Understand that I live in Los Angeles – that’s not something we surfers do down here.  I wasn’t aware how lofty that undertaking would be…until SUP.

As more and more people are discovering SUP and its superior wave catching ability, folks are pushing their personal boundaries, taking on monster surf.

  

After my first failed attempt, a trip to San Mateo Medical Center and a week-long stay at St. John’s hospital in Santa Monica, it was November of 2007 when I made my next paddle-out to the Maverick’s line up. 

The Half Moon Bay buoy was reading 17ft@17sec.  For those who don't know what that looks like, think "Deadliest Catch."  This was my day... I had no choice but to go.

 After four hours of paddling through "Victory at Sea" conditions, dehydrated, hypothermic and terrified.  I got lost in the fog and was blown way off course.  Some nice folks in a big boat rescued me, about two miles offshore.

That day before, Peter Davi had drowned at Ghost Tree and there were news crews all over the place.  When I got off of the rescue boat, media mobbed me. After all, I was wearing a wetsuit and carrying a surfboard – so…I must have been a surfer.  I felt strange talking about something I had no business talking about.  Since I was dealing with the early stages of hypothermia, I had trouble completing a sentence.  Afterward, I met Jeff Clark in his shop and told him of my exploits.  He shook his head in disgust. So many bad things could have happened to me.  I don’t recommend that a new person do this.  

So, it has been a few years of paddling out at Pillar Point. I’ve snapped multiple ribs, leashes, boards and paddles. Each outing I learn a new way to surf another day. 

In the past few months, several surfers have asked me how I am able to take on Maverick’s with an SUP.  I am by no means the “authority” on the subject; that would be people like Haley Fiske, Ian Wallace, Mark Alfaro and, of course, Jeff Clark.

I’m not going to teach you how to surf Maverick’s…you’ll have to figure that out on your own. I am, however, going to share a few of the tricks I’ve learned over the past few years, so that you don’t end up as “that guy” on Surfline.  Now let me start off by saying there are exceptions to all my rules. I’ve come up with these because I have been in some very bad situations…situations that could have been avoided. 

Equipment

First, you’ll need a board that can handle speed. Not just something with a pulled in nose and tail, i.e., your favorite 10ft. (insert brand) quad/Chinese/pop out/swallow tail, etc. 

What I’m talking about is something that sits in the water – instead of on top of the water.  It seems that most SUP shapes are super thick.  This limits your controllability in heavy surf.  You go really fast and the board skips all over the place.  The last thing you want is to lose control going down the face, placing you in a situation that can be very unpleasant…maybe even deadly.  

I ride an 11’0 pintail.  It’s got soft, thin rails, low-profile entry rocker with a little kick in the nose. It’s not something you’d paddle to Catalina…it’s a rocket ship made for heavy conditions. I’ve experimented with every fin configuration and have found that a thruster set-up works best for me.  I have had bad luck with big singles for two reasons: 1) it’s too hard to spin around at the last second – which is bad in a few ways, and 2) it’s easy to over-torque, which means a busted out fin box.  I’ve lost a lot of good fins that way.  Trying to paddle a half-mile back to shore in fifteen ft. chop can be a challenge with no fin.

Leashes

As I said earlier, I’ve broken boards and leashes.  I’d rather break a board, because that means you still have something at the end of your leash to float on.  The key to this is either having a beefed up, glassed-on leash lap or a dual leash plug.  Surfing Mav’s can be expensive.  Stay on the shoulder, have a good job or get a sponsor.

Crow Haley leashes are hand tied and seldom fail, but sometimes the Velcro strap tears in half.  “Stay Covered” leashes have addressed this problem by doing zig-zag stitching, on the same Velcro.  I haven’t tried it, but they claim it works.  Here’s a pic of my modified leash.  

There’s a lot of experimentation going on out there. Ian Wallace has been using a waist-leash, which is nicer to your knees and hips.  It’s also easier to get to in case you need to eject.  You do tend to get hog-tied under water, which is not fun.  If you insist on the ankle, I run a carabineer through the quick-release tab, so that it is easy to find.  This one could save your life.

Paddles

Paddles – don’t take your brand new $375.00 Quick Blade…because it will snap just like your board, or you will just lose it.  I did that once.  Did I mention that Maverick’s could be an expensive place to surf?  I use the wood 9:fish blades – they’re cheap. I also paint black and white bands on them, which makes them easier to find – thank you Fletcher Burton!

Flotation

Yes…wear it.  You are holding on to a paddle and you’re tied to a big, floaty board – you’re going to get dragged. Might as well be buoyant.  Make sure your jacket has clips and is snug.  The zipper will come undone and the vest will be ripped over your head.  Some guys wear it under their suits. I’ve also started wearing under-armor.  You can get something at Sports Chalet for under $50.  You will look something that is the hybrid of Robo cop and the Michelin Man.  You will feel funny at first, but the first time you get blasted and sent 30 feet down, you will laugh at how fast you rocket to the surface – woo hoo!  It serves many purposes: insulation, protection from fins, flotation.  It will dramatically improve your confidence.

Hydration

If it’s big…and you’re going a half-mile out to sea, you’re gonna get thirsty. Camelbaks are great!  I recommend the ones with storage. In my Camel, I carry paddle gloves, fins and a Cliff Bar.  You can even get the bigger ones that will hold all that plus a two-way radio, signal flares, GPS locator beacon, homing pigeons, whatever.  Get one.

Training

Do you want to get in really good shape for SUP?  Join an outrigger canoe club.  I’m 42 and I am in the best shape of my life.  My resting heart rate is around 37 bpm.  I just completed the Pailolo Challenge.  My crew, Marina del Rey Outrigger, paddled from Maui to Molokai.  We surfed the whole 26 miles!

Conclusion

Okay, that’s it for now.  There’s a lot more to share, I just can’t think of anything at the moment.  Now get out there and charge!  Please don’t charge while I’m charging, though.  That wouldn’t be very cool.  Just joking.  See you in da watah.

Wade

September 30th, 2011 -ACL

I tore my ACL rolling with a dude in jiu jitsu class.  Today was my surgery.  I just got home.  I'm sitting down with my ice machine, Peddlar machine, hot tea and settling into an episode of Bridezillas.  I don't think I'll be down for too long.  Think it's time to take one of those Vicodins.

September 28th, 2011 - Maverick's opening day

Since my last session at Maverick's, two guys have drowned, Orange County's Jacob Trette and Hawaiian underground charger, Sion Milosky.  I am scared to death of that wave...I keep asking myself why I put myself through this insanity.
I had been tracking a swell from the Aleutian Islands all week...and was getting mixed buoy readings.  The West Papa buoy was showing 17 feet and the Oregon buoy was flat.  I went up anyway.
Paddling out, I wasn't feeling very confident.  It's always that way for me on the first day back in big conditions, as Southern California surf is where I do most of my training.  How is one supposed to charge when all there is...is waist high shore break?

Anyway, there were two guys sitting at the main bowl.  I paddled around a bit...trying to find my spot.  It wasn't long until there were twenty guys in the line up.  This just adds to the difficulty and frustration of getting a good wave, because everyone goes at once.  The last thing I want to do is to get tangled up with a bunch of prone guys in 20ft. surf.

I sat to the north of the main bowl and was a little gun shy from my last session, where I took off at the peak for a photo op.  I pulled into a wave, it went top to bottom in a half a second.  I had nowhere to go and the thing just unloaded on my head.  The wave broke my board, paddle and put my front bottom teeth through my lip.

There were three more behind that one, which sent me through the rocks.  The worst part is that I could see Evan Lloyd on the ski.  I waved at him to come and save me, but there was nothing he could do.  He just threw his hands in the air.  I didn't want to go through that experience again.

Long story short, I paddled to the south side...by the channel.  This is where the biggest sets come in.  They swing wide and no one is in position for these.  It must have been my lucky day.  As soon as I got there, a bomb swung wide...right to me.  I stroked for it and the wave went vertical.  I made the drop, faded and was eventually blown up by the foam ball.  I pulled my board back and it was still in one piece!  I paddled back to the line up, where Alex Martins told me that I had caught the wave of the day!

I felt like I had cheated death, once again.  I decided to paddle in and call it a day.  Here's a still from my GoPro camera.  Check out my new super-suit!

Sep. 7, 2011

This is Karen's second lesson.    

This is non-sup related, but I thought you might like it.  Just click on the link below:

                         http://www.vimeo.com/27774155

August 12th 2011

Hey folks...I got my Gopro today and tried it out in some small surf, here in L.A.  I haven't learned how to get the resolution settings just right.  This is an experiment.

Whitey Harrison Classic - Saturday, Aug 6, 2011

Chuck Patterson, an extreme waterman, is someone I admire.  I’ve competed against Chuck in numerous surf competitions, and I must say, he is one fierce competitor.  He is a member of the all-star “Team California,” an outrigger squad comprised of some of the best paddlers on the West Coast.  Their mission is to dominate the outrigger circuit around the world.

 

I ran into Chuck after today’s 9-man outrigger race, a grueling 25-mile canoe race in Dana Point.  I said “hello.”  He wasn’t very friendly. 

I guess this makes sense because today, “Team California” got their asses kicked by my team, “Marina del Rey”!

WOO HOO…GO MARINA!

August 4th, 2011

Hi folks, it's been very busy around here with SUP lessons, surfing, paddling outriggers and flying helicopters.  I'll try to get back to blogging on a regular basis...I've just been slammed.

We had a nice south swell a few weeks back.  Here's a picture of one of my favorite spots in L.A.

I'm getting ready for my first 9-man canoe race in Dana Pt.  There will be pictures forthcoming.

July 2nd, 2011

Today's lesson was good but the pictures didn't turn out very well.  I'm holding out for the iPhone 5.

Rebecca

Erica and Sea Lions

June 30th 2011

Hey Blog...been in Texas for a while doing some helicoper work.  I'm back now and have been busy with the same old stuff: canoe races, surf lessons and flying.  I had a lesson today with two young men from Arkansas, Will and Peter.  Here are some pictures from today:

going over the stroke technique

and we're off!

Friday, June 10th

Hi Blog.  It's been a good week of paddling, surfing and jiu jitsu.  I need some rest!  Just got a call from a buddy who turned me on to a six-week crop dusting gig,  just south of Houston, Texas.  I'm going...and I'm taking two boards with me.  It's time to see what that oil tanker surfing deal is all about.  I'll try to post some video.

Here's a photo from the Ventura race, last week.

Memorial Day thru June 5th

It’s been a busy week - boats, bbqs, surf, canoe races, helicopter work, surf and SUP lessons.  We’ve had back to back southern swells, bringing some overhead waves!

I wasn’t able to get any surf pics because I fell on the GoPro, busting up the board mount.

Got some surf lessons from my hotel rack cards and from internet searches.

Here is a pic of us launching for the Ventura Outrigger race:

Here's one of me playing Yacht Captain this weekend:

Wednesday, May 25th

Didn't do much today.  Went to the periodontist for a little skin grafting.  It was lots of fun.  When I agreed to this procedure, I thought it would be like another cleaning.  The doctor took this miniature cheese slicer and took a hunk of skin from the roof of my mouth and sewed it to my gumline.

The drugs are wearing off...should be an interesting evening.

The canoe practice, last night, was the toughest I've ever had.   Did I mention that this is great SUP training?

Here's a picture of our boat heading out to sea.

Wade

www.supwithwade.com

Saturday, May 21

Outrigger canoe race today in Santa Barbara.  We took second place to Lana Kila - Danny Ching's   team.  They beat us by thirty seconds.  It was grueling!  Camped out at El Cap - slept in the Prius.  I'm tired.

Friday, May 20th 2011

Nice south swell today!  I was at Latigo Canyon...it's one of my favorite spots in L.A. County for "said" south.  I was experimenting with the Gopro camera that I got on Craigslist for $50.  It's an old one...that's why my head is out of the shot.  I was riding the Tomahawk 9'6 moontail - that board rules!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

This is Eric, Hollie and Lon.  Lon found me on Google.  I didn't get his picture because he's coming back for more lessons and I want to get a better camera.  These pics were taken on my Blackberry.  They did pretty good.  Eric got distracted by some kayaks and went for a little swim.  The wind picked up towards the end of the session, which made for some challenging paddling.  Okay...that's all I've got to say about that.  We should be getting some swell this week.  Hopefully, I'll be posting some video of some waves for your viewing pleasure.

Saturday, May 14

Had a lesson yesterday.  A housewife from San Bernadino, who saw my ad on Goldstar.com.  She is not usually able to get out and try new things, like SUP, because of a demanding schedule of football, basketball, gymnastics and soccer practices of four teenage kids, but decided to drive 91 miles to give it a shot.    Natalie fell in the drink a few times, but after getting a board with a little more stability, everything was fine.

May 9, 2011

These are some of my instructors and workout partners at the Robot Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy, in Santa Monica.  Pictured from left to right:  Craig Keefer, me, The Mike Martinez and Ejay.

It was 1-3 ft. today at Sunset Beach.  It's a fun little point break and great for beginners.  There's a small south swell coming in...should start filling in by Wednesday.

Craig caught his first real wave today and is stoked.

May 7, 2011

Today was the Marina del Rey Outrigger Canoe Club's annual home race.  As you might guess, I am experiencing much pain.

For all you SUP'rs out there, if you want to have a better stroke...paddle an outrigger canoe. 

Alright folks...it's been a long day, I have a headache and River Monsters is on. 

Cinco de Mayo

Today...I went to some surf shops to promote www.supwithwade.com - my goal is to educate the new SUP'rs on how to behave in the surf.  The line-ups are getting totally out of hand with new people that aren't aware of protocol.  I intend to change that, so that we don't get barked at.

I had outrigger canoe practice today...big race on Saturday.  The Tahitians are coming.  I'll be the lead paddler (stroker) in a 6-man canoe.  My division will be the mens' open.  Just got a call from coach Cal.  I'll be in a good boat.

I got a text from fellow Tomahawk team member, Ty Bergman, he took out his new 6'10 SUP at Malibu and dominated.

Steve Scarantino did the same on his 10'0 longboard - standing!

Wade