SKILS Retreat at DIL

Kate Surfing the "pocket"

As the paddling work season wines down we now find the time to come together to paddle, share a few stories, start planning for next season, and of course have a few laughs. This year skils.ca hosted their year end retreat at the amazing Discovery Islands Lodge. discovery-islands-lodge.com

The lodge is so nice...

The Surge wave - a technical little thing:)

Surge Narrow is a short 15 minute paddle form the DIL and was running at a respectable 7 1/2 knots. Super fun. This technical little waves is a challenging surf. With a confused eddy line, a ferry glide up stream and a small pocket to sit in the Surge wave was a good reminder how important it is to use your hips.

Kate, Chris, Tony and Beth-anne lining up for their turn on the wave.

Kate making it look so easy....

With FUN being a major focus in everything that SKILS does, Beth-anne and Tony hit the wave in the South Wind. Possible one of the biggest double kayaks, the South Wind isn't exactly a surf boat but they gave it a go anyways. With a few short surfs and a lot of cheers and laughs from the eddy the the South Wind proved to be a fun way to enjoy the currents.

Tony and Beth-anne having a little fun in the South Wind

Switching the Carbon Grand Illusion for this skeg equipped GI. (I want to test the skeg in big winds over the winter paddling season.) I was interested to see how a 17.4 ft touring boat would surf this small and rather technical wave. It was great. The wave was short, small and steep. With good bow buoyancy and a peaked deck the GI was easy to control even when the boat was under water up to the cockpit. Unlike a flat deck which water will pile up and push you off the wave, the peaked deck stays quite maneuverable under water. With the experience in this group I was keen to get feedback. Well, and I quote "The boat of the day!" Pretty cool. This is after surfing the Romany Surf, Gulfstream, and new Delpin. Not bad for a touring boat eh:)

Chris sliding out of the eddy

Chris using some awesome hip control.

Thanks again to all the SKILS team for making this a great retreat! See you in the spring...