Tips for success and surf-landing sea kayaks from 16-year-old Adam Harvey, winner of the 2009 surf kayaking junior world championships.

Photos by www.photof8.com

Name: Adam Harvey
Home: Guernsey (Channel Islands)
Age: 16
Occupation: Student
Sponsors: Watertech Kayaks, Nookie, Buff Headwear, Gath Helmets, runandjump Clothing

What happened in Portugal?
The world championships were the July 22 to August 2 in Santa Cruz, Portugal. The weather was quite good all week, the sun was shinning (most the time) and the waves were rolling in. I managed to win every junior heat I was in, although it got very close in the finals where I was second until half way through when I got a high wave score and pushed into first. Alongside of that I surprised myself and also came 7^th in the men's world championships.

What’s it like competing at age 16?
The junior category is 18 and under, so everyone in my category is around the same age as me. The person who made it very hard to win, and came second himself, Corin King, was also 16, and he grabbed himself the silver. The men's was where there was a big difference. Most the other competitors were in their 20s and 30s. Dave Speller, the men’s world champion, was only 19 years old and had been the previous junior world champion. One advantage of being a young and fairly new competitor is that people do not know your skills and may not expect as much from you, so they might not try as hard. However, obviously most of the older guys have had a lot of experience, so it is very tough competing against them.

What was your strategy?
I went into every heat with a good state of mind. I tried to get some good solid scores before trying to pull of bigger and harder moves. Half of it is the state of mind. If you truly believe that you can do well and believe in yourself then the chances are you will do well. So going in with a good strategy along with a good state of mind, along with making sure I enjoyed myself was my key to success.

Can you explain the sport of surf kayaking to sea kayakers?
Surf kayaking is very similar to surf boarding, just in a kayak designed for waves. You do the same sort of tricks as you would on a surf board. When competing you get scored on three main things.

1. The take off. You want to take of as steep as possible with the least paddle power)
2. The ride. You want to do the biggest tricks on the most critical part of the wave.
3. The end move. When the wave comes to an end you want to do the biggest trick possible.

The size of the wave can also boost up your points.

How did you get into surf kayaking?
Living on an island where you cannot drive 20 minutes in a straight line without hitting the sea, it is hard for it not to be a part of your life. I first started kayaking when I was about 7 years old, I went out with my family on Sunday afternoons and it has just grown since then. Some of my first memoryies of surf kayaking was when my brother Chris dragged me out when it was freezing cold and blowing a gale. I complained at the time, but thank him for it now. Chris has been the person who has inspired me and helped me get to where I am today, even if he did beat me up sometimes!

What does it take to be a good surf kayaker?
All it takes is determination. So long as you never give up and keep pushing yourself then you will turn in to a good surf kayaker. However you do not want competition to take over. The main thing is that you have fun and enjoy what you do!

Have you ever done any sea kayaking?
I have been sea kayaking quite a lot. I have done some small trips to some other island in the Channel Islands. It was great fun. I love the experience of being completely independent. It’s just you and your kayak with loads to explore! I would love to do some big expeditions in the future.

Any tips for us on doing surf landings in sea kayaks?
The main advice is just go for it, don't try and do anything fancy, just take the wave from a long way out, and go straight into the shore, maybe trimming it a bit to avoid nose-diving.

Who do you think is the best surf kayaker?
By brother Chris is the person who is pushing the sport to his limits. He is know as “Air” Harvey for a reason. However it is hard to ignore Dave Speller’s success. Winning at such a young age is amazing.

What’s your goal for next year?
In 2010, with the help of my sponsors (Watertech, Nookie and Buff Headware) I will be going to the world cup to defend my junior title and try to do well in the men's again, and obviously have fun surfing in the sun! However I will still be pushing to find more sponsors to help me on my way.

What motivates you?
My favourite quote is, “Don't let dreams be dreams.” This has helped me get where I am today and it has kept me motivated, knowing that everything is possible with practice.