JackieOnassis

I’m just home from 2009 World Surf Kayak Championships which were held on Santa Rita beach in Santa Cruz, Portugal. The event was held in conjunction with The Ocean Spirit Festival.

me in the 666 competing in ladies IC

This festival showcased some of the worlds best competing in kayak surfing, surfing, body boarding, kite surfing and skim boarding all on one beach.

The event was well structured with lots of great benefits for athletes including physio, lunch every day and entry to the event village for the festival at night. Another great feature was the pool where children could swim and where people could demo lots of kayaks.

Ju learning to Roll in the Pool

The atmosphere was electric. I have met so many amazing people joined together celebrating the surf and sea.

The Hat

Everyone has been so friendly at these worlds from USA west team for inviting me to so many nice meals enjoying the local seafood, Carlisle for all the lovely pictures from the event.

some of Team Portugal

The Portuguese team were always there for the party in the evening in the festival village. And a huge thank you to Bruno Melo for giving me a place to stay in his house for the whole event.

Bruno competing in The Bandit

I had plenty of highs and lows in the competition but am happy I did my best.

Unfortunately I didn’t do as well as hoped in the Ladies Hp class. I was up against Valerie Bertrand defending world champion and rising talent Emma Wynter from England. The conditions were messy and the other girls did better on the day.

Emma Wynter

Emma went on to finish 3^rd overall and Valerie made the semis! Naomi James was on fire in ladies Hp and went on to win the event in great style showing that the women’s standard has indeed improved.

Naomi James

In ladies IC however I did much better. In the first round I was delighted to win my heat against Lizzy Johnson from Jersey/ Channel islands and Kristina Ferrer from Basque Country. The heat was close but I was happy to qualify for the next round.

Me Again

Over the next few days the beach was filled with flags for the team event and the atmosphere was great.

On one of these days I went on a road trip south to try one of the many other surf locations in the area. We headed to Ribeira d’ Ilhas following some local advice. In tow were myself, Bonnie Tregoza from Australia, Roberta Borsari from Brazil and David Priddis from Jersey.

Bonnie Tregoza competing in quarter finals of Ladies Hp

We found a lovely peeling wave that was quiet and a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of Santa Rita. We followed the early morning surf up with a tour of some more surf spots courtesy of a local sit on top surfer and a nice afternoon lunch in the beautiful town of Ericeira.

On Thursday I had my quarter final heat. Brent from Canada was there with lots of positive coaching and I was feeling good at first. We were in the first heat of the morning and the surf was big and heavy but it wasn’t going to be my day.

On the way out for my heat I had a heavy hit on a wave and both my contact lens were ripped out of my eyes! Disaster as I am pretty blind, thankfully with help from Dan and Tamsin Green, Devon Barker, Wayne Waddington and Bonnie, contacts were found from my bag and put in right on the beach. Not Ideal but that is life sometimes and the heat was well under way before I was back in my boat. The Guys rallied around me though and with cheers of support I managed to catch a few waves on the inside and pull a couple of flat spins. However the other girl’s wave selection was better and they finished in front.

Brent celebrates after his heat

I was still delighted in the end with a 7^th place finish overall and although it’s the same ranking as the last worlds I did feel that I had done well considering the standard was much higher in all classes.

Myself and Carlisle both finished seventh

A few days later the whole event was over following so many great nights out and parties. I had a lovely surf session with the Portuguese crew on Santa Rita beach as the sun was setting one evening.

View near Santa Rita

I then had to face the long drive home to Ireland. On the way home I had a tour of the Nelo factory near Porto and saw the whole production process. It was great to see the Watertech Kayaks being made and while there Joné did a small repair job on my fin box. A big thank you to him!

View of Roman ruins near the Nelo Factory in northern Portugal

I then had a lovely drive through inland Portugal and Spain, seeing Salamanca and Leon.

Windmills near Leon in Spain

Up through Basque country and onto Biarritz and Bayonne for the night. I had a surf on a break right beside Biarritz the next morning and was treated to head height surf. Then I headed to La Rochelle and camped.

The following day I reached the ferry in Roscof.

Homeward Bound

I made it home to Rosslaire Friday morning and by the evening I was in my home in Galway ready for bed after 3000+ miles of driving in 3 weeks and a wonderful trip to Portugal.

Pictures by Carlisle Landel and myself.