Over Our Heads

Heres quiet an interesting article from the local news paper here in Brisbane, The Courier Mail's QWeekender Magazine, from October 30-31st 2010. It deals with more than just the hype theres a science bit too!

Some of the more interesting science bits are that the highest waves ever recorded hit Alaska in 1958 after a massive landslide created a Tsunami that peaked at 500m above sea level when it made land fall. Also thinking about how destructive waves can be think about this, water is 800 times more dense than air, so a wave just over 45cm high could knock a wall built to survive winds of 200km/h.

You can read the entire article here on Google Documents

Courier Mail: Over Our Heads

I'm also reading another book at the moment Crossing the Ditch, the story of Justin Jones and James Castrission's paddle across the Tasman between Australia and New Zealand. Its a great read, not only to give you an idea of what goes into planning an adventure like that but also a fairly honest recollection of the torment and emotions they went through along the way. Its written by James from entirely his perspective which sometimes seems harsh at times on his paddling partner Justin and others but at least he is honest. Its a great read for anybody into paddling.

Surfing Mennie Waves

Surfing Mennie Waves is the book from Northern Ireland born surfer Alastair Mennie. The book chronicles Al's adventures since he was a young lad taking up surfing at a time when it wasn't very popular. He spent his holidays at Castlerock Beach where he spent his days cutting his surfing teeth with his brother Andrew.

I first became aware of Al through the Driven DVD by Mr. B productions that I bought in Tubes in Cork a few years ago. The DVD gave a good flavour of what Al and his tow surfing partner Cotty were up to at the time and one particular accident involving their ski. What you didn't learn from the DVD was how Al ever got into surfing and big wave surfing and thats where this book fills in the blanks. From family tragedies to surf mishaps, its Al's honest account of his trials and tribulations leading to him being renowned at home and abroad as a big wave surfer.

While the writing mightn't be in the leagues of a Stephen King novel or anything, that lets you know that its Al's own words and lends to the anxiety you feel for Al and his buddies when they are in the big wave sessions described in the book. For anyone who hasn't a clue about the big wave scene in Ireland this book will go along way to informing you of exactly how it got to where it is today, where Ireland is renowned as a major contender in the big wave premiership table around the world. One day this book will go towards forming part of the history of surfing in Ireland.

My favourite part of the book...

"Cotty flew over on Monday night, arriving at 10:30pm. We drove for seven hours through the night, arriving at Aileen's at 5:30am, I nailed a sleeping tablet and bunked down in the back of the van under the guns and tow boards for a few hours."

"We only had one sleeping bag between us and Cotty insisted I used it so I gave him half my clothes to wear. I woke at 8am and saw Cotty lying there, wearing all his clothes, most of mine, a lifejacket and a board bag, it was hilarious! He still argues that I can't classify two hours kip as sleeping like a log..."

Thats dedication to your cause!

This book and copies of the Waveriders and Driven DVD are a must for anybody into big surf. The book is available in most good surf shops for around €20.

Best of luck to Al and Cotty in their future adventures.

http://www.almennie.com/