Boing Said Zebedee…04/02/2014

Boing Said Zebedee…04/02/2014 Zebedee, real name John, is in the market for a new kayak. Amongst the list he wanted to try were the Tempo and MidWay and a meeting not too far away he swung by mine to have a paddle in the latter and, in lieu of the Tempo that is en-route to me, my Scupper pro, lying forlornly on the roof now I have new toy to ply with! Now, I’d just had couple of hours being battered up at Corton after fishing so was nicely warmed up; John however had not been out since November and was carrying his Christmas dinner still. He was at mine before me so we began with coffee, me still kitted out in my drysuit. After dissolving the salt on his drysuit zip and unstrapping the kayaks we headed down to the beach. The council workmen had shut off access while they removed recently exposed concrete so we had to drag the boats further down and descend by the steps. A few passer’s by told us we were mad but then we knew that. The sea was a washing machine, the wind had moved even further to the east and with the banks breaking it up and the water out further it was distinctly challenging. John started in the Scupper and paddled out while I filmed his launch. Then I launched… The wind and tide dragged him north rapidly and then, while I was breaking through the waves, I saw him in the water and drifting towards the groyne. This would be interesting; he got back on without issue and paddled away from it and in. I surfed in to join him. John took breather and I went back out to play; apart from surfing in and trying to carve I had no trouble staying the right way up, the MidWay loved playing in this! John moved back up the beach and so we swapped boats and went for it. He took a fair few good waves but with trying to get used to a totally different kayak to what he’s used to in ridiculous conditions on an unfamiliar beach he stood no chance this time and ended up back in the water a few times. An hour after we left the house we headed back for more coffee instead; I guess those aren’t the boats for him right now!