> Bakio and Mundaka, Spain
Val Bertrand
“I had very little experience compared to the other 30-something pro kayak
surfing women at the surf Kayaking World Championship in spain’s Bakio
and Mundaka in October 2007. the event was only my second time surfing
on the ocean. ed skrzypkowski from Murky Waters Paddling supply based
out of Binbrook, Ontario, gave me a surfboat to use and I had never been in
one before. On the day of the finals, the waves were as big as I’d ever seen
in my life—not even on the Ottawa or lachine at highest water levels—and
breaking with a fierce noise that made you realize how damn stupid small
you are. sure, I won the gold here, but I came to spain for fun and to
discover a new side of kayaking that I knew very little about. It made me
think about my motivation for paddling: the thrill, the fun, the good days
and the bad days.”
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> Manu Bay, Raglan, New Zealand
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Spike Gladwin

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As head of R&D at necky Kayaks, designer and
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long-time surf paddler from Vancouver Island, B.C.,
spike Gladwin created in 2003 necky’s surf kayak,
the spyder. the spyder is no longer in production
and Gladwin, who in 1995 managed to climb as
high as second in the world surf kayak rankings,
doesn’t paddle competitively anymore. For him
surfing is about finding a new favourite spot, ripping
a new wave and what’s around the next curl.
“For me, it’s about the search for the place you
haven’t surfed before; trying to figure out where it
is and what makes it work. I just surfed Manu Bay
at Raglan, new Zealand. It’s a well-known place
but my first time. you could ride long step walls
for over 200 yards and paddle back out without
getting your face wet. Quite a few locals are always
at the point, but if respect is shown you can get as
many rides as you like.”
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RAPID
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