hellwoman
01-16-2007, 09:20 PM
K38 UK
Towsurfer
I have just spent the last three months traveling between Mumbles, Gower and Newquay in Cornwall training for the K38 Tow surf operator course run by big wave legend and Chairman of the British Tow Surfing Association, Chris Bertish.
GSD has joined several clubs both in Wales and in Cornwall which then permit launch of the ski for tow surfing training and operations. I can honestly say that the K38 training course was one of the most educational I have been on.
The training was all about safety, first aid, risk analysis, required equipment, pick ups and rescues of the athelete (tow surfer) For more information on the course se the link below for Shawn Alladio.
Chris told us that every time you go out and train or operate you are learning, which is something Shawn Alladio had told him.
I now realise that prior to this K38 course I did not have a clue about P.W.C's and the massive preparation that is needed to tow surf the outer banks. My training has just started, I am now going to book myself on to a VHF radio operator course and in the summer get training from the RYA on reading charts and plotting courses.
One of the main things that come through was the need for team work and 'slow is pro'. I have learned that GSD's P.W.C is not a toy for my friends or staff to race around the bay on.
No, it is a vital piece of equipment that must be maintained checked and double checked. The ski, can in the right hands, i.e those that have been trained save lives, perform extreme rescues and tow athletes into XXL waves way out in the middle of the ocean.
SurfGSD and I are just starting out on this new activity and are excited that we have already learned so much thanks to Chris Bertish and K38.
Relevant websites are below.
www.chrisbertish.com Big wave surfer and K38 trainer. His site is more an informative site than anything else...So friends, family and interested surfers can gain insight, knowledge and inspiration into the path that has taken me to experience, travel & surf waves far past my wildest dreams...
www.shawnalladio.com K38 Water Safety - Mission Statement
K38 Water Safety is an established and growing family of water rescue and safety specialists committed to enhancing the occupational and recreational use of the PWC (personal watercraft). Homeland Security has become a major defining training force utilizing Personal Watercraft -K38 provides PWC rescue boat courses for law enforcement, military, lifeguard, fire department including other types of professional agencies and athletes from kite surfing, tow surfing, wake boarding, competition, movie stunt and safety management included. Shawn Alladio of K38 Water Safety; personally manages safety for big wave surfing and IJSBA racing events and other promotional on water activities along with trained staff members.
About Me:
I am 39 years old and live in a seaside village called Mumbles in South West Wales.
I have worked in the Leisure and Tourism industry for 20 years. I have a degree from University of Wales and also a Diploma in Management.
I am one of the highest qualified BSA surf coaches in the UK and run one of the top surfing development centres in the UK.
I have a gorgeous five year old daughter called Isabella who stood up on a surfboard at the age of three with the help of Beth Mason, Gwen Spurlock and Rebecca Templeton (3 of the top female surfers here in the UK at the moment).
Isabella attended the junior surfing academy last summer (2006) and can not wait until next summer.
Live, Surf, Travel ? Well, once you have caught that first wave you become another surf addict. Which will mean that everything in your life revolves around catching that 'one wave'.
Happy surfing,
Simon @ SurfGSD
http://www.surfgsd.com
Chris Bertish is not only a good friend of mine but one of the few people that I trust in the most challenging of surfing conditions. Chris, simply in my view is one of the best big wave surfers in the world.
http://www.bloggsd.com/photos/chris_bertish_big_wave_su/index.html
Towsurfer
I have just spent the last three months traveling between Mumbles, Gower and Newquay in Cornwall training for the K38 Tow surf operator course run by big wave legend and Chairman of the British Tow Surfing Association, Chris Bertish.
GSD has joined several clubs both in Wales and in Cornwall which then permit launch of the ski for tow surfing training and operations. I can honestly say that the K38 training course was one of the most educational I have been on.
The training was all about safety, first aid, risk analysis, required equipment, pick ups and rescues of the athelete (tow surfer) For more information on the course se the link below for Shawn Alladio.
Chris told us that every time you go out and train or operate you are learning, which is something Shawn Alladio had told him.
I now realise that prior to this K38 course I did not have a clue about P.W.C's and the massive preparation that is needed to tow surf the outer banks. My training has just started, I am now going to book myself on to a VHF radio operator course and in the summer get training from the RYA on reading charts and plotting courses.
One of the main things that come through was the need for team work and 'slow is pro'. I have learned that GSD's P.W.C is not a toy for my friends or staff to race around the bay on.
No, it is a vital piece of equipment that must be maintained checked and double checked. The ski, can in the right hands, i.e those that have been trained save lives, perform extreme rescues and tow athletes into XXL waves way out in the middle of the ocean.
SurfGSD and I are just starting out on this new activity and are excited that we have already learned so much thanks to Chris Bertish and K38.
Relevant websites are below.
www.chrisbertish.com Big wave surfer and K38 trainer. His site is more an informative site than anything else...So friends, family and interested surfers can gain insight, knowledge and inspiration into the path that has taken me to experience, travel & surf waves far past my wildest dreams...
www.shawnalladio.com K38 Water Safety - Mission Statement
K38 Water Safety is an established and growing family of water rescue and safety specialists committed to enhancing the occupational and recreational use of the PWC (personal watercraft). Homeland Security has become a major defining training force utilizing Personal Watercraft -K38 provides PWC rescue boat courses for law enforcement, military, lifeguard, fire department including other types of professional agencies and athletes from kite surfing, tow surfing, wake boarding, competition, movie stunt and safety management included. Shawn Alladio of K38 Water Safety; personally manages safety for big wave surfing and IJSBA racing events and other promotional on water activities along with trained staff members.
About Me:
I am 39 years old and live in a seaside village called Mumbles in South West Wales.
I have worked in the Leisure and Tourism industry for 20 years. I have a degree from University of Wales and also a Diploma in Management.
I am one of the highest qualified BSA surf coaches in the UK and run one of the top surfing development centres in the UK.
I have a gorgeous five year old daughter called Isabella who stood up on a surfboard at the age of three with the help of Beth Mason, Gwen Spurlock and Rebecca Templeton (3 of the top female surfers here in the UK at the moment).
Isabella attended the junior surfing academy last summer (2006) and can not wait until next summer.
Live, Surf, Travel ? Well, once you have caught that first wave you become another surf addict. Which will mean that everything in your life revolves around catching that 'one wave'.
Happy surfing,
Simon @ SurfGSD
http://www.surfgsd.com
Chris Bertish is not only a good friend of mine but one of the few people that I trust in the most challenging of surfing conditions. Chris, simply in my view is one of the best big wave surfers in the world.
http://www.bloggsd.com/photos/chris_bertish_big_wave_su/index.html