Race Around Marken 7the of Oktober 2012

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:02:52 +0200

The race around Marken for 2012 is planned on the 7the of Oktober 2012. This year we will have an alternative route and we will skip the weed to the direction of Monnickendam.We are working on different options
But one is a downwind from Amsterdam to Edam 25 k.
Information and register at barend@surfski-holland

The teamleadersmeeting will be at 10 AM 7the of Oktober 2012 at Monnickendam Mirror Pavilion, Hemmeland 1 Monnickendam

Al Gharbia Watersports Festival's Surfski Race 20 04 2012

Wed, 4 Apr 2012 10:22:17 +0200

http://www.algharbiafestivals.com/watersports2012/ind

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 21:28:46 +0100

INVITATION
11-13 May 2012 – Barnens Ö, Väddö
At Surfski Spring Camp awaits a weekend filled with paddling, great company, lots of good food and the unique opportunity to test paddle the latest surfski models and paddles on the market. You exercise as much as you want, look at the spring camp as a great weekend among friends, with the possibility of organized training at all levels – from beginners to elite paddlers.
This year, the world’s best surfski paddler, South African Dawid Mocke, comes to Surfski Spring Camp to run clinics and give lectures. This is the first time Dawid comes to Sweden, so do not miss the chance to paddle with the world’s leading downwind paddler! A better teacher is hard to find …
The program includes lots of activities to look forward to;
• Beginners Classes
• Downwind Sessions
• How do I paddle my surfski with the right technique?
• Learn how to re-entrys in practice
• Paddle with elite kayakers, get direct tips and tricks
• Safe in your surfski – what is needed?
• Choosing the right surfski …
There will also be a race on Sunday, Surfski Spring Race, that everyone can join. A 5 km funrace for those who are new to the sport, or a longer distance if you already master your surfski.
In the evenings we socialize on our “After Ski” with something nice to drink, we have fun together and listen to Dawid Mocke who speaks about “life as surfski professional – and what it takes to be the best in the world.”
The camp site is located at Barnens Ö, Väddö, about 100 km north of Stockholm.
Join the fun and get a kick start of the season!
Registration fee (including accommodation, food, beverage, courses and clinics.)
Friday – Sunday, 2700 SEK (€295)
Saturday – Sunday, 1750 SEK (€192)
Sign up as soon as possible! To register, send an email with your full contact details to: peter@globalsurfski.com

Tarifa. EPIC training center

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 11:24:32 +0100

Surfski- Holland at the Epic Training Centre Tarifa 26-01 t/m 30-01-2012

A good start to 2012 for Emiel Beukenkamp, Martin Shaw and Arjan Bloem who were fortunate enough to be the pioneer paddling contingent at the Epic Training Centre that has recently got off the ground in Tarifa.

Some Surfski-Holland paddlers had already been to Tarifa and told us about the nice town and offshore waves (runs) ideal for surfski paddling.
The Atlantic/Mediterranean oceans converge to shake up a unique cocktail for downwind paddling through a narrow funnell between Africa and Spain.
Tarifa is a small village brimming with character in Spain, next to Gibraltar.

Thursday 26-01:
After landing at Malaga we were greeted by Boyan (Our instructor) and Svetlin (driver) who drove us to Tarifa . Along with the scenic rolling hills(a few more sheep and rain and you could have thought you were in wales ), cliffs, coves and beaches you could clearly see Marocco. The distance between Tarifa and Marocco is just 16 km., on a good day you can paddle to it. Upon arriving at our home for the next 5 days the sun was shining and when we looked at our Hotel Emiels’ teeth were shining. All of us got a big smile! It’s a small hotel with the perfect surfing vibes, located directly on the beach. After getting the keys for our rooms we were eager to check what craft we would be paddling . Martin got a brand new V10, Emiel and Arjan a V12 Elite surfski. We were all excited and wanted to go for a paddle.
Lunch time, first a good salad and after a nice spaghetti (all included) we were just looking at the calm Ocean. Boyan explained what the weather forecast was for the coming 5 days. Unfortunately it seems that there will be not a lot of wind and small waves.
But the scenery and the sun made us happy enough. The wind was picking up so we decided to go for the first paddle. After getting our gear ready we loaded the ski’s on the trailer. Another paddler joined the group, Antonio, a local paddler. When we got in the ski we noticed that Antonio is a fast paddler and we followed him on our journey back to the hotel. There were some small waves to catch and because of this Boyan could give us some good lessons in catching these waves. Our first paddle was a fact, at the hotel we took a shower and got ourselves prepared for diner. Boyan dropped us in the centre of Tarifa, a good moment for us to check out if there was a bar where we could get a beer. Most of the shops and restaurants were closed, probably to cold outside for the Spanish people? We found a nice bar and after a cold beer and some talking about our first day we went to a small restaurant/bar to get some food. Also Antonio and Svetlin joined us for the diner. Around 23:00 we headed off to bed because we were a little bit tired after the very early flight in and paddle.
Friday 27-01:
In the morning Boyan joined us with our breakfast and told us about his plan for the day. Two paddle sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. In the morning we paddled about 7 km downwind, direction lighthouse. As we came there we could catch some waves from the Atlantic Ocean coming in the Mediterranean Sea. Playing time was over as we had to paddle back upwind. A solid 14 km.
At the hotel our lunch was waiting for us. Also a short rest to get some energy for the second paddle. In the afternoon we paddled the same route as the day before and during this paddle we saw a group of dolphins swimming close to us. We decided to paddle towards them, we became really close and paddled for about 10 minutes together. When they went under water we lost them and didn’t see them again. It was a great feeling to be so close and to be a part of their route. In the evening again a nice diner in a typical Spanish restaurant. Today we really felt tired and jumped in our bed for a good rest.
Saturday 28-01:
Again Boyan planned to paddle two times today, Antonio also joined today. There were some waves at the beach so in the morning we all got a V8, shorter and more stable ski. Martin had some problems with his wrist so he decided to make some pictures while we were playing in the waves. It was really fun and it taught us even more about catching the waves. After the lunch we went for our second paddle. We drove with the car to another place then before, we could make a 12 km or a 21 km route. Martin decided to paddle again. We got in the ski and thought about making the longer paddle. The scenery was amazing, big rocks, private beaches and nice houses in the mountains. After 12 km we noticed that we were getting tired, the paddle session in the morning was fun but also heavy. So we decided to get out of the water, as usual Svetlin was waiting for us so after loading the boats we drove back to the hotel. We said goodbye to Antonio, he had to go to his work. In the evening, after our diner we took in a few beers and looked for a nice bar. Boyan had to go to his family so it was only the Dutchies who went out. We found a nice bar were we could get a beer and watch Barcelona-Villareal. Again we could only talk about our paddling sessions and how great Tarifa is. After a few hours we took a taxi and went back to the hotel.
Sunday 29-01:
In the morning we had a meeting with Henk Post, AKA Henk Tarifa on the internet. He is doing his best to promote several sports in Tarifa and wants to introduce a surfski race from Marocco to Tarifa. We had a good talk and of course we hope that this race will materialize in time and will be glad to participate.
Today there was a good wind and the waves were getting bigger. Again Antonio joined us and told us about a place were we should get good downwind conditions. Because of our short night we were still feeling miserable but couldn’t wait to get a good downwind. And Antonio didn’t lie….amazing waves, without paddling just cruising the waves for about 20 km, the best paddle session over there! The last 6 km however we had to paddle on flat water without wind but allowed us to enjoy some spectacular great scenery on the final stretch home, nice cliffs cast shadows into the blue ocean with Gibraltar just in front of us.
In the evening our best diner, a big plate with meat!
Monday 30-01:
This was our last day, we were there 4 days but it felt like one day. Time flies when you are having fun….
Today there were still some waves at the same spot as the day before, only the other direction. We got in our ski and paddled against the wind and waves for a few km. When we turned the waves became bigger and again we could get some good waves to make some speed. There were two options, first option was to stop after 10 km and then drive back to do the same route again, or second option was to paddle back to the hotel, about 7 km flat.
Because we had to get back to the airport we decided to paddle back to the hotel. During this paddle we felt that this would be the last paddle in Tarifa for a while….to bad, we could not stay a lot longer!!! After getting our gear packed for our trip back to a now Icey Holland, Svetlin came with the car. Together with Boyan they brought us to the airport, with some tears in our eyes we said goodbye to them and to Tarifa.

We had 5 amazing days in Tarifa, learned a lot and had great fun. We highly recommend you go there and share our terrific experience.

Boyan is making a movie, this will come to the website soooooooon.

Arjan Bloem in the Dragon Run 2011

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:54:51 +0100

Race report Steelcase Dragon Run 2011 by Arjan Bloem www.kajak.nl

There I was, the small boy from Holland between the big names from the whole world. What a great feeling to be part of this race and amazing int. field. After a good paddle together with Olivia Blonk, Oscar Chalupsky and Greg Barton on Friday we were ready for the big race on Saturday. Friday evening registration and briefing for the race. Unfortunately there was no wind and the forecast for the race was not so good....the organization decided to make the start a little bit later because the wind direction could change and in the afternoon the wind would get stronger. Saturday morning 7 am, it was time to load the boats and get ourselves prepared for the race. After a rather long bus trip we came to the start line and after some good drinking and powerbars we were ready. The view was not great because of the fog, but the first island up 3 km. we could see clearly. It was amazing to see so many paddlers on the water, outriggers and surfski’s. After the green flag we still had 5 min. before start but after about 2 min. the game began. Oscar and Greg were still talking with Charles and I was behind them looking around, still impressed about all the people on the water. Not a great start you can imagine :-(
The first 3 km. I tried to paddle fast and after the first turning point I decided to paddle a little bit slower because it was still a long way to go. At the second turning point, 7,5 km. further I tried to get some more speed and could catch a few waves to surf on. Unfortunately this was max. 5 km. and after that the wind and waves came from the right side instead of behind. Waves from every corner, difficult to paddle or to surf. After the last turning point it was still 6 km. to paddle on a really flat piece. To get a good time I gave all my power on this last piece and paddled away from some other paddlers. After 2.02 hr. I was over the finish and ended up as number 49. Very happy with this result but now it's time to train hard so I can be before number 30 next year!!

Many thanks to all the people who made this race possible again and special thanks to team Epic for these amazing days!!