The Global Paddling Community

Interview with Kayak Surfer Chris Harvey from Guernsey, UK.

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.

Chris Harvey - The New Surfkayak Generation

Name: Chris Harvey
Age: 26
Nationality: Guernsey, UK
Occupation: Teacher
Speciality: High Performance Surf Kayaking
National Ranking Channel Island no.1
British no.2
World Ranking Open Class: Nr 9
International Class: Nr 10
Kayak Session Cover this Spring
Santa Cruz Kayak Surf Festival 2006: 3rd.

What is your current opinion on the state of surf kayaking, having competed in the Pura Vida World Championships?
Going to Costa Rica was an awesome experience. Prior to the event, there was an anticipation that the level of performance was much higher than at previous events. This was certainly true and the athletes really injected a 'wow' factor into the sport. It was awesome to be pushing new moves, talk technique and be a part of the excitement that was being felt by everyone about the new direction and developments in the sport.

Has your view of surf kayaking changed after the event?
Post Worlds I am definitely more motivated to play a role in the development of the sport and am putting my energies and resources into achieving more personal goals within the sport. I think the sport is still relatively small, but we are now performing at a level where we have a real chance to raise the profile and attract a new generation of adrenalin junkies.

Where do you think surf kayaking is heading?
We are very much at a crossroads in the sport and the direction it takes is dependent on a number of factors. I'd like to see the profile raised through more media coverage and thus hopefully attract more corporate sponsors, both for events and athletes. I am extremely excited by the prospect of a world cup event. I hope the sport is now at a stage where it can support this size/type of event and companies will see the benefits it can have. In HP we have always been seen as 'wave-skis' little brother but I think the design and construction methods now being adopted provide a real chance for us to achieve ski-like performance. Maybe the 2 sports will again converge slightly, I myself would like to be a part of both sports as I think they complement each other very well.

How do you feel about the new rule changes, particularly the length limits for the short boat class?
Ok, this is a tricky one!... maybe limiting the length of kayak will help the short boat category become more competitive with paddlers in similar performing craft. However, this issue has arisen as a result of International Class boats out-performing Short Boats. In my opinion, this is mainly due to the wave selection and judging criteria. Short boats are similar in many respects to short-boards in surfing. There are waves that suit short-boards/shortboats and waves that suit long boards/International Boats. With the recent progression in short boat maneuvers, ie 'off the lip aerials' I think that on a steep powerful wave, a short boat will consistently out-perform a long boat. On a less steep wave, short boats are unable to perform top-end moves and so a long boat will have the advantage. I think there is a real case for having the 2 classes compete on separate waves, or at least ensure that wave enables the short boat athletes to perform top-end maneuvers.

What is your opinion on the Pura Vida World Championships?
The event in Costa Rica was one the best organized I have been to. The location and set up made it great for both competitors and spectators alike. The local community was extremely welcoming and it was great to see some culture being displayed in the ceremonies. The judging was also good and it was clear that they too were impressed by the level of competition. The wave choice suited a competition, but unfortunately, conditions, tide and quality didn't particularly enable the short boats to perform top end maneuvers much of the time.

In your opinion, what is the current state of surf kayak design?
I have been really impressed by the 'design revolution' in surf kayaking over the past 2 years. In Ireland 2003, there were a lot of new ideas being discussed. There was also a number of new people in the industry beginning to manufacture new designs and pushing new designs. Since then, these ideas have further progressed. I am particularly impressed by the Mega Fury, which I have been paddling for a year. It is the most dynamic surf kayak I have paddled and really drives off the back rail in a similar way to a ski. For many years, the 'holy grail' of surf kayak construction has been to achieve 'wave-ski' weight. I am blown away by the Reaction, manufactured by Murky Waters, which is now down to 5-6kg… the lightest surf kayak I have seen and a really exciting development. The Reaction, a design by Vince Shay, is also a great development. The boat is both forgiving and high performing and probably the fastest 'short-boat' out there. It runs barrels like a dream and will enable beginners and advanced surf kayakers alike, to enjoy the thrills and spills of the sport.

What do you think of aerials in a surf kayak?
The aerial in a surf kayak (and landing it on the wave) has been the aim of many top paddlers for a number of years. Only the last year have I seen this really develop to a point where the top athletes are able to perform aerials consistently and land them on the wave. I have learnt a lot about this from watching wave-ski video footage but the main restriction previously was boat design. Combined with good technique, kayaks (like the Fury) which are fast, dynamic and maintain drive up the wave face are key to performing the aerial. The more airtime we gain, the more moves open up to us and at the worlds, I was experimenting with aerial barrel roll and others such as Dave Johnston are picking on these new moves pretty fast. In terms of new moves and boat design, the sport is developing faster now than ever before. I'm excited by the prospect of getting bigger air and combining this with more new aerial moves in the future.

How do you feel about your performance at the Pura Vida World Championships?
In HP I felt that I performed very averagely. Expecting big steep waves, I'd been training too hard on the aerial, off the lip moves than anything else and using a short, (slower on flat water kayak), this definitely left me at a disadvantage. However, I was pleased to reach the quarter finals, but look forward to going further next time! The international class is not my specialty, and not having surfed one for a year and relying on borrowed boats, I didn't have any personal expectations of doing well. However, able to hold the speed better and trying to throw it around like my short boat, I progressed to the final 12 which I am really pleased with…but despite pressure from the Jersey team and offers to buy my HP boat… I won't be rushing out to get a new International kayak any time soon!

In one sentence, how would you explain the impressive aspects of surf kayaking to a whitewater kayaker who has never been in the surf?
Going bigger… from Big, dynamic 'off the lip' moves, to being sucked deep into the barrel of a wave, surf kayaking is now into a new dimension and the buzz of wave riding, from the mellow to the extreme enables all levels of paddler to enjoy and progress in the sport.

Thanks Chris and keep flying!

Text -Luis Pedro Abreu
Photos - Vince Shay