Two Bullitts

Location: Bracklesham
Conditions: Mid to low tide, F5-6 onshore, 2-3ft waves at 5 seconds

“The Shiner” and I had been chatting about Mega Bullitts on UKRGB for a while, as he was just getting one as his first surf kayak.  Given that we are both in range of the Witterings we arranged a meet on this wind-blown Sunday.

The conditions were not ideal, with a force 5 onshore strengthening to force 6 as the day progressed, but at least we had some waves.  It was The Shiner’s first taste of the surf in his new Bullitt, so after a quick chat on the beach while we waited for the tide to drop to the sand, we paddled out.

The waves were messy but enough to get a few reasonable rides.  I spent a lot of time underwater after catching an edge or pearling as usual.  Plenty of rolling practice.   The Shiner took his share of spills too, with a couple of swims for good measure.

His first impressions of the Bullitt in surf were similar to mine, in that he found it catches the waves and accelerates well, but the wide tail takes some getting used.

As the wind built the paddle out turned into more and more of a struggle, crossing the kite and windsurf highway as we went, paddling head first into the gale.  Eventually it became too much effort to be worthwhile, so we gave up and came in.  Still, a fun session and great to hook up with another surf kayak head!

-Mut