Wild Ride

Heading out with the outrigger canoes last week our steersman asked if we wanted to go south with the group or head north and surf the waves. The stroker yelled 'let's surf' so off we went up to the surf spot. I had heard and seen others teams talking about and trying to ride the waves and I was looking forward to the excitement. After paddling about a mile we found our surf spot and tried catching a good wave. As we caught our first wave we paddled as hard as we could and rode it a bit, then paddled back to look for more. Next wave didn't take us far. Then....steersman, Robert, yelled 'hit it' and off we went paddling hard until we were going so fast that I couldn't even paddle anymore! Steersman was yelling at #4 to lay down on the ama and since I was #2(in case names are forgotten the steersman calls out the number seat we are in)and couldn't paddle because of the speed I also leaned down on the 'ioku as we sped along. What a fun wild ride! People onshore were watching us and taking pictures. I guess thats because we were yelling and laughing so much. That was my first wild ride out there and the rest of the paddlers said that was the best wave they had ever caught. 3 of the crew were seasoned paddlers so I guess I was just lucky. Tomorrow I go again and can only wish for another great wild ride.