Our class of ten sea kayakers bobs up and down in the swell off the
Oregon coast. We’re gathered around Sean Morley — a British
police-officer-turned-kayak-surfer, expeditioner and world-renowned instructor
— who has been charged with the task of honing our long boat surfing
skills in seas that are rough even by the standards of the Lumpy Waters Symposium.
The 104 students and 30 coaches who travelled to this year’s event
have split into groups to practice skills ranging from bracing and
rolling to sea navigation and advanced rock gardening. For the last 45
minutes, however, our group hasn’t seen a soul. We followed Morley out
around a stunning sandstone cape near Pacific City, Oregon and have
stopped just outside the surf zone where we plan to practice carving
down the faces of waves in our 14- to 17-foot sea kayaks.
“Everyone take a moment to plan your line to shore,” Morley instructs
the class of intermediate-to-advanced paddlers. We crane our necks, and
try to size up the waves from the seats of our boats. The narrow line
of beach periodically disappears behind curtains of white foam. The
sound alone is intimidating. “Ask yourself if you feel confident about
this landing.”
It’s the first morning of the three-day gathering and my first sea kayak symposium. In fact, it’s one of ...more
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