Today I amused myself very much with the Xcite: playing in surf at the coast near Castricum aan Zee.
Yesterday the wind blew from SW at a 6-7 bft. force.
A nice history to go surfing today, although the wind-force was reduced to "only" 4 bft, because there was enough swell in the sea to create nice waves for surfing.
Paddling the Xcite in surfconditions was the last testsession I planned; and today was the perfect moment.
At first the tide was still going down and the waves not very powerful. Still I could perform several surfs. But it must be said that I had to paddle hard to catch a wave. After a break the tide started to ris again resulting in more powerful- an higher waves (approx. Between 60 - 150cm).
To catch a wave became much easier and once the Xcite was surfing I surfed fast while the Xcite was still rather good controllable: or by a paddle-rudder or by carving a wave.
Only at the moment that a wave collapses on top of my head you loose control, meaning that you end up in a high brace to stay upright in the wave. But still; when in that position, parallel to the wave, I could still maneuver the kayak to prevent a collision with Anoushka's kayak when we had a duo-surf on the same wave.
I amused myself very much in the stronger waves. Not only because it was easier to catch a wave but also I felt very much at home in this kayak. I felt safe, stable and always in control of this kayak.
The maneuverability of the kayak in surf between waves, is better than most seakayaks. Still she is in surf, with all its currents and turbulence, less maneuverable as on flat water. On flat water she turns on a dime but here in waves more effort is needed. But most times when I wanted to turn to catch a wave, I was turned just in time.
Summarizing I think this is a very competent kayak in heavy seas. And also very suitable to play around in surf and waves.
I paddled for two hours in surf now and thought it was a pity to quit. But alas, my body needs rest after so long a session.
To give you an impression of the conditions today, you find 10 photo's underneath:
