Kayak Surfing at Stanley

Although it's hardly very far away, it's been many, many years since I took my kayak surfing at the Stanley Embankment wave. It has quite a fierce reputation and my memory of it was completely justified when we arrived. A huge amount of water (well it was a Spring tide), was being squeezed though a tiny gap in the causeway that connects Holy Island with Anglesey. As it passes though, a large wave is created and with a good amount of nerves and a bit of skill, you can surf the wave.

John dropped in first and make the whole thing look rather easy, while I built up to it, by breaking in and out across the incredibly fast flowing outwash, trying to decided whether or not to go for it.

Once on the wave, I began to get a feel for things and found, much to my delight, that I was mostly in control of the boat and could surf back and forth along the green wave.

Of course, there was also a good amount of rolling practice after I was forcibly ejected from the waves and deposited upside down among the foaming waters. Luckily for me, I rolled up each time and returned to the eddy feeling refreshed and a little disorientated! It was great to be back on the wave and thanks to John for the 'induction' and motivational 'nudges' to get us there in the first place!