PTWoody said...
Where did Iron Phil come or is he still paddling?
G'day PTWoody
I'm JOJ just of da jet. It was a fun week the surf was small got two average surfs in at Cloudbreak. YES I'm still paddling, that 36km paddle was grueling mate on a 12'6'' the furthest I've ever paddled a 12'6'' was from Namotu Island to Muskett Cove Bar 8km for a beer. The prototype 12'6'' I got made was only 27 inches wide with a very deep double concave the board was super fast on a runner but was very unstable in the chop due to the width I should have went 30 inches wide (not to worry Help Me Please Mr Wizard). I never trained for this event at all on a 12'6'' as I'm a 17ft Bullet man all the way. At the 30km mark I just couldn't paddle anymore my inner thighs cramped up from keeping the board stable and my fingers hammered up so I pulled the pin just before Cloudbreak tower the race was 36km or 22 miles depending which way you wana look at it, even all the young guns said that race was grueling and they where hurting.
The slalom race was bulk fun, the conditions having a strong sweep followed by 3ft waves breaking onto a shallow reef in the impact zone with a 20 knot head wind when you turned the last buoy you could surf a wave for 300 metres, I borrowed a 12'6'' Bullet I wish I had that board for the marathon race as the 12'6'' bullet was fast and stable (next time). I came 9th in the slalom race just mist out by one spot to get into the final. All the young guns said it was the toughest BOP Slalom Race they have ever competed. Next year is looking good already with an added SUP comp. The only time I'll paddle a 12'6'' ever again will be only in FIJI and I'll be ordering a custom Bullet thats 30 inches wide.
SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR BULA VINAKA
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