Black Rock Surf Kayak Competition 2011

A quick jaunt (only 400 miles each way!) down to Bude at the weekend for the annual Black Rock competition organised by Shoreline Activities. I was only there for the Saturday, which was the High Performance open class day. 37 competitors started the competition in very dumpy low tide conditions. There were three rounds throughout the day, with ten heats in each round. Each heat was 13 minutes long and consisted of 3 or 4 surfers.

Wave conditions improved through the morning with Round 2 providing some much friendlier waves.

I finished in 26th place – not bad for my first big competition and first time in Cornwall! A great day which has whet my appetite for the rest of the season – it’s just a shame all the events are so far away!