Kayak Surf Contest

Steve CaviglianoSteve Cavigliano Super Moderators Posts: 3,599 moderator
edited September 17, 2009 in Sports
Hello All,

After one of the most beautiful days in months, Andy and I headed over to the beach yesterday. Of course, since the Gods knew that we wanted some good shooting light, it was overcast and the light was flat :rolleyes

We drove to the Lighthouse to see if any surfers were out and we ran into a Kayak Surf Contest. The light was so bad, I think Andy only snapped off 3 shots :-( The waves weren't too big, but it was kewl to watch these guys ride, spin and work over the waves in these little boats with no fins or keels.

They'd dig their paddles in to turn.
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Sometimes they'd completely lose contact with the water

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Or wind up riding the wave backwards

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It got pretty crowded at times

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Which sometimes led to a Kayak wipeout....lol

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Some of the contestants even mugged for the crowd

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The story on the pic above is that he had just run over another kayaker and was penalized. His wife and kids were standing next to me alternately giving him grief and urging him on. The burden we men carry.....LOL


Hope you enjoyed looking,

Steve
SmugMug Support Hero

Comments

  • saurorasaurora Registered Users Posts: 4,320 Major grins
    edited March 25, 2006
    Pretty good shots, Steve, in spite of the weather not cooperating. You can definitely feel the action!!! What lens were you shooting with? (Ulterior motive, here...I needs sports/action advice!) :D
  • Steve CaviglianoSteve Cavigliano Super Moderators Posts: 3,599 moderator
    edited March 25, 2006
    saurora wrote:
    Pretty good shots, Steve, in spite of the weather not cooperating. You can definitely feel the action!!! What lens were you shooting with? (Ulterior motive, here...I needs sports/action advice!) :D

    Thanks Saurora :D

    Yeah, we got rained on a few minutes after these shots were taken :cry So the light definitely wasn't good. I was using the 400mm F5.6 and 20D. So you can tell which shots were heavily cropped and which ones were only slightly cropped...lol If the light had been better I would have risked climbing down to shot from the rocks. But, not for shots in this sort of light.

    The 400 is a really nice lens for long sports shots. It may be too long on a 1.6X camera for some field sports. But, for surfing, sailing, motorsports and tight shots, it is one of the best in the $1000 price range. Given some better light, these shots would have looked lots better ne_nau.gif Oh well, ya works with what you have to work with :D

    Thanks for your comments,

    Steve
    SmugMug Support Hero
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited March 25, 2006
    Nice pikchas, Steve!
    Reminds me the old good days of white water rafting..:):
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • DeeDee Registered Users Posts: 2,981 Major grins
    edited March 25, 2006
    The first fog fest
    Had kayack races as part of the weekend activities. We went to the beach to watch them. It was interesting that the main struggle was getting out beyond the breakers to begin with! I haven't seen too much followup since 1986, altho we do see the occasional kayacker at that beach.

    I think with Santa Cruz being a college town there's a lot more sports and action activities than in our area (except for our brand new skateboarding park).

    Plus the weather is warmer in Santa Cruz... sorry the sun disappeared for you and Andy. Welcome to my world! :):

    We did get a nice pastel cloud stripped sunset....

    Despite the weather it looks like you had a good time taking the photos and I love the one of the man clowning around!
  • Frog LadyFrog Lady Registered Users Posts: 1,091 Major grins
    edited March 25, 2006
    neat shots Steve, I like the way the kayak in the 1st one has left a trough through the wave. Also, the colors of their jerseys came out nice and bright. Was that through the efforts of post processing?

    C.
    Colleen
    ***********************************
    check out my (sports) pics: ColleenBonney.smugmug.com

    *Thanks to Boolsacho for the avatar photo (from the dgrin portrait project)
  • photodougphotodoug Registered Users Posts: 870 Major grins
    edited March 25, 2006
    props to Santa Cruz.....still a way bitchen place
  • Steve CaviglianoSteve Cavigliano Super Moderators Posts: 3,599 moderator
    edited March 26, 2006
    Nikolai wrote:
    Reminds me the old good days of white water rafting..:):

    Thanks Nik :D

    I was thinking the exact same thing about white-water rafting thumb.gif Only no cliffsides to watch out for....lol These guys really worked the waves over and looking through the VF, you could easily imagine they were navigating rapids instead of waves mwink.gif


    Thanks for your comments,
    Steve
    SmugMug Support Hero
  • Steve CaviglianoSteve Cavigliano Super Moderators Posts: 3,599 moderator
    edited March 26, 2006
    Dee wrote:
    Had kayack races as part of the weekend activities. We went to the beach to watch them. It was interesting that the main struggle was getting out beyond the breakers to begin with! I haven't seen too much followup since 1986, altho we do see the occasional kayacker at that beach.

    I think with Santa Cruz being a college town there's a lot more sports and action activities than in our area (except for our brand new skateboarding park).

    Plus the weather is warmer in Santa Cruz... sorry the sun disappeared for you and Andy. Welcome to my world! :):

    We did get a nice pastel cloud stripped sunset....

    Despite the weather it looks like you had a good time taking the photos and I love the one of the man clowning around!

    Andy is just as much of a smart-ass as I am and we both live to eat....lol So we always have great times and great meals when we're together, good light or not :eat

    Laughing.gif @ your sunset comment. We were sitting under a benchtop umbrella, eating chowdah out of a bread bowl and watching the gulls get wet. Yes, it was raining rolleyes1.gif

    Yep, the kayak contest was a new one on me too headscratch.gif We were hoping for surfers and Mavericks-sized waves rolleyes1.gif But, as poor as the light was, the kayakers were a kewl find. Plus, Andy was so bored, he was able to take a nap while I shot lol3.gif

    Thanks for looking Dee :D

    Steve
    SmugMug Support Hero
  • Steve CaviglianoSteve Cavigliano Super Moderators Posts: 3,599 moderator
    edited March 26, 2006
    Frog Lady wrote:
    neat shots Steve, I like the way the kayak in the 1st one has left a trough through the wave. Also, the colors of their jerseys came out nice and bright. Was that through the efforts of post processing?

    C.

    Thanks Colleen :D

    The jerseys were all electric colors. I guess they didn't want to lose these guys in case the fog rolled in ne_nau.gif Because the light was so bad, once I got the exposure right, most of the jerseys were so bright, they clipped. I tried to tone them down some, but I'm sure there's still a bit of clipping in the jerseys (especially the electric pink ones....lol).


    Steve
    SmugMug Support Hero
  • Steve CaviglianoSteve Cavigliano Super Moderators Posts: 3,599 moderator
    edited March 26, 2006
    photodoug wrote:
    props to Santa Cruz.....still a way bitchen place

    As the bumper stickers say, "Keep Santa Cruz Weird" :uhoh ......lol

    It is a nice place and if you can't find something to shoot, you can always find a good place to eat rolleyes1.gif


    Steve
    SmugMug Support Hero
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited March 26, 2006
    Cliffsides
    Thanks Nik :D

    I was thinking the exact same thing about white-water rafting thumb.gif Only no cliffsides to watch out for....lol These guys really worked the waves over and looking through the VF, you could easily imagine they were navigating rapids instead of waves mwink.gif


    Thanks for your comments,
    Steve

    Well, I guess it depends on what level of WWR you're doing.. After "6" and above, esp. in Himalayas, those canyons walls are no friendlier than them cliffsides of yours :):

    Cheers!1drink.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,904 moderator
    edited March 26, 2006
    Nicely done Steveo!

    I ran into a guy today that was shooting up near Davenport. Apparently, one
    of the kayak surfer's wanted a few piccies. Unfortunately, he picked Gazos Greek
    State Beach to shoot. And while the waves are not as big as say Steamer's,
    there are many more of them and this young lady spent a LONG time trying to
    get out into the bigger waves before finally giving up. Kayak surfing looks like
    a difficult sport. More so than paddling out and riding waves :D

    Ian
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • Steve CaviglianoSteve Cavigliano Super Moderators Posts: 3,599 moderator
    edited March 26, 2006
    ian408 wrote:
    Nicely done Steveo!

    I ran into a guy today that was shooting up near Davenport. Apparently, one
    of the kayak surfer's wanted a few piccies. Unfortunately, he picked Gazos Greek
    State Beach to shoot. And while the waves are not as big as say Steamer's,
    there are many more of them and this young lady spent a LONG time trying to
    get out into the bigger waves before finally giving up. Kayak surfing looks like
    a difficult sport. More so than paddling out and riding waves :D

    Ian

    Thanks Ian :D

    Yeah, I have a new found respect for these guys and gals. Paddling over a wave that has already broken is tough. At least on a board, you can go upside down under the wave. I sure would have liked to see them out in some good sized surf. The waves were 3-5 ft and mostly rights. Making it tough to get face shots from the cliffs.

    I was using my 400mm F5.6 and got a severe case of lens envy. Guys waling around with 300mm and 400mm F2.8's rolleyes1.gif And one guy with a Nikkor 600mm F4. Damn, who says size doesn't matter? ne_nau.gif

    I'm not sure I am going to like the focal length of the 400 shooting the Lane. If I have to shoot from the roadway, I may just leave the 1.4X TC on it. If I shoot from the cliffs, I'll be too close headscratch.gif

    Ahhh well. I've got a couple of months to figure it out. How did your weekend ride go?


    Steve
    SmugMug Support Hero
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,904 moderator
    edited March 26, 2006
    Ahhh well. I've got a couple of months to figure it out. How did your weekend ride go?

    It was a great weekend. My mighty steed...[hijacked]

    61662513-M.jpg

    I've got a couple of lighthouse shots to process...

    [/hijacked]
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • photodougphotodoug Registered Users Posts: 870 Major grins
    edited March 26, 2006
    As the bumper stickers say, "Keep Santa Cruz Weird" :uhoh ......lol

    It is a nice place and if you can't find something to shoot, you can always find a good place to eat rolleyes1.gif


    Steve

    I didn't know about that one....haven't been back since the earthquake. Wierd fit back then very well. But I do have Santa Cruz Skateboards stickers on the back window of all of my vehicles.
  • robert mccanerobert mccane Registered Users Posts: 166 Major grins
    edited March 30, 2006
    look's cold good shot :):
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited March 30, 2006
  • Steve CaviglianoSteve Cavigliano Super Moderators Posts: 3,599 moderator
    edited March 30, 2006
    Andy wrote:

    Whoa....recognition clap.gif

    I don't know who's responsible, but my check is in the mail to them rolleyes1.gif



    Thanks for pointing this out Andy. Since I only visit photo forums and porn sites, I'd have missed it fer sure lol3.gif :lol

    Steve
    SmugMug Support Hero
  • Steve CaviglianoSteve Cavigliano Super Moderators Posts: 3,599 moderator
    edited March 30, 2006
    look's cold good shot :):


    Robert,
    I'm not sure whether you mean Ian's pic or the kayakers, but thanks for the comment thumb.gif

    Steve
    SmugMug Support Hero
  • gusgus Registered Users Posts: 16,209 Major grins
    edited March 30, 2006
    Great action mate...tell me that isnt a carbon fibre kayak eek7.gif
  • Steve CaviglianoSteve Cavigliano Super Moderators Posts: 3,599 moderator
    edited March 30, 2006
    Humungus wrote:
    Great action mate...tell me that isnt a carbon fibre kayak eek7.gif

    Thanks Gus :-)

    Those "Intruders" sure looked like they were made using CF cloth. The way these guys were twirling them around when carrying them pretty well convinced me. They seemed to weight around 40 pounds. Which seems pretty light for their size and strength. I believe they use a mix of fiberglass, resin, polyethelene, kevlar and carbon cloth. These babies are stronggggggggg and likely bulletproof......lol

    Steve
    SmugMug Support Hero
  • ScovoPhotoScovoPhoto Registered Users Posts: 5 Beginner grinner
    edited March 31, 2006
    Love the first shot.
    I like that first picture the best. The action is isolated to the one individual and you can see the action in the line that cuts through the wave. The expression in their face and the tension in the body enhances the drama. Well done!
  • matthudgensmatthudgens Registered Users Posts: 1 Beginner grinner
    edited September 17, 2009
    Some answers....years late!
    Let's see....yes many of the boats are carbon fiber....the rest are primarily fiberglass. The CF ones weigh around 18 to 22 lbs, the glass ones are 25 to 30. They do have fins, everyone you shot does at any rate, the paddle assists in turns but doesn't make it. I'm in the second shot, the other shots are all great friends of mine....the one you thought his wife and kids were watching....definitely not. His wife never comes to these events and his kids are grown and gone! The other in a CF boat lives in the Cruz, he and I have years of professional whitewater experience, The other two (the last CF boater and the first shot in a blue black boat) are primarily board surfers who learned to river kayak and took it back to the ocean. Besides the one in SC we all live down near SLO, and the guy in the blue black boat is a great photographer....search vincentshaymedia ......and also designed that boat. The older guy designed the other two, and I designed and built the one I'm surfing as a very traditional fish shape!

    Cheers, and it was great to see those shots even so lwate. That was the last event I entered, since then I've had my own child and time and moola is too tight now.

    ~matt hudgens

    Thanks Gus :-)

    Those "Intruders" sure looked like they were made using CF cloth. The way these guys were twirling them around when carrying them pretty well convinced me. They seemed to weight around 40 pounds. Which seems pretty light for their size and strength. I believe they use a mix of fiberglass, resin, polyethelene, kevlar and carbon cloth. These babies are stronggggggggg and likely bulletproof......lol

    Steve
  • toragstorags Registered Users Posts: 4,615 Major grins
    edited September 17, 2009
    Good catches Steve.

    Hey Matt, any kayak activities up near Mavericks?. I saw a couple of guys tooling around once when I was there.

    I don't know about the relationship of kayaks to single operator white water rafts. I used to have a rig and it was like trying to steer a tank. Used to aim for haystacks to help turn... :D

    These kayakers can steer those things

    Rags
    Rags
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