The Global Paddling Community

Interview with Darren Bason, captain of the English Surf Kayak Team.

This interview was originally produced for the Portuguese web site 'kayaksurf.net' and is published exclusively on Playak in english to make it available to a wider audience. The portuguese version of the interview, with larger versions of some of the photos, is available here.

Name: Darren 'mastervibe' Bason, captain of the English Surf Kayak Team.

Sponsors:

• Mega Surf Kayaks
• Talk-To-Me Mobile Phone Centres
• Wkd Drinks
• 24Seven Life Style Magazine
• Nookie Extreme, Ba, Spray Decks ,Cags
• Gath Helmets
• Mellow Marsh Yellow Team Rider
• Ripcurl / Snugg Wetsuits
• Etnies Clothing

Recent competition results:

• 2Nd In The World At High Performance
• 5Th In The World At International
• European Surf Kayak Champion 2004
• British Surf Kayak Champion Ic And Hp 2005
• Winner Of The Portuguese Contest Surf Kayak In Peniche (17/18 Set. 2005)
• One of the favourites for the Worlds in Costa Rica!

Your opinion abut the competition in Peniche?
Very good turn out , it was good to see so many kayakers turning up to a surf contest and it was great to be invited to such a great event.

Freestyle or surf manoeuvres?
Both, it works really well combining the two as it lets you push the boundaries of surf kayaking and hopefully pushes all our skills forward.

Any comments about the mixed classes in Peniche?
It's good that we are all mixed, in different conditions all the boats would have their moves so the next event may have a big shoulder on the wave and the freestyle kayaks would be able to pull more manouvres and it lets all of us see what's going on in both scenes.

I was at Mundaka with you this year and there were only a surf kayaks on the water. Do you think that in Portugal, it will be the same in the near future?
Maybe , it would be good to see a few more surf kayaks in the comps, the freestyle paddlers could really rip in a surf kayak and that would be great for the surf kayak scene in Portugal, maybe see some of your kayakers up in Mundaka next year?

The Portuguese paddles all have great skills. Coming from a freestyle side of surfing myself it is clear to see that if they transfer the plastic boat skills to a surf kayak there is a massive potential for some awesome surfers.

And the spot (Baleal Beach), did you like it?
Not to great from what we surfed a bit of a close out on the contest days but that was probably due to swell direction and wind but as for a good spot to promote the kayak surfing to other water users it was perfect , also some pretty tasty ladies too.

Your favorite gear?
My favourite Mega kayak is a Fury. It rips and you can pull most of the freestyle moves and it's great for vertical moves on a wave but saying that I also surf a Mustang as seen in Portugal I chose this kayak as it's an easier paddle out with its extra volume and it can handle bigger waves (take offs are faster). And so I took this one to Portugal for the storm that was forcast.

I use a Robson Chili paddle, this just seems to be the best paddle I have used (nice big blades).

Gath helmets are unbeatable as surfing helmets go and new to my gear is Palm. The guys at Palm are really on it and sort me out with everything i need.

How many contests did you participate in this year?
Quite a few, but after ripping my shoulder last november I was trying to take it easy, what with the worlds in October. But i still got in Mundaka, Santa Cruz and 3 of our British events finishing with your Portuguese and the British championships, in which I won both classes .

And about the worlds in Costa Rica... what are your expectations?
I want to have a great time in WARM/HOT water, not to be bothered about the outcome and just be stoked.

How many british paddlers will be there?
Quite a lot, a full team from the Irish, we nearly have a full team and a few from Scotland and Wales are going too.

Your other 'job' is the music. What have you been listening to lately?
Still playing drum & bass, had a real good summer playing in Newquay and around the country any parties over there.

General opinion about Portugal?
Great place, great people ( aprt from the people who ripped off Malcom megas car) amazing beaches and weather. I plan to come again next year. Already looking forward to it and maybe see some more surf kayakers too?

Some final advice for our readers?
Keep surfing, keep smiling...

Keep riding and all the best to Costa Rica!

Text - Luis Pedro Abreu
Photos - kayaksurf.net + activ-photo.com

PS For more info about Darren, visit his website.