Did I ever show you this? This is what happens when a heavy kayak comes down on a fast wave and crashes into you! Mike at Rockpool is helping me figure out how to repair glittery gelcoat! Obviously it’s not the same as just mixing some colors and slapping it on!

Now here’s a quick thought about coming in on the surf. First of all you really should never be so close to another kayaker and you don’t want to ever get behind someone on the same wave. They are going to slow down or turn and you will be right on top of them. Ok then, what if you already made that mistake and are racing toward them? Well, my best advice is . . . Roll! Putting your upper body in the water will slow you down fast and if you make the choice fast enough you should drop off the wave.

In Penrhyn Mawr I had my first experience using that slick one hand defection. I saw the kayak coming straight for my head and instinctively just put the palm of my hand out and defected the oncoming kayak away from my ear. As an afterthought it was pretty cool, but on the otherhand I don’t fancy getting speared in the head either……. or in this case……crushed!