Martin Young

23 12 2007

My new Bourton Big Bat

Had an interesting surf today with Damian at Jan Juc. We paddled out thinking it was 2-3ft but soon discovered it was closer to 4ft, with plenty of bigger bombs to clean us up. Damian caught some cracking waves but I caught zero waves (again) on the shortboard, and about halfway through the session I cracked the shits and decided it was time to sell it and buy something else. It’s just a waste of time being out there on it. I’m there to catch waves and have a good time, not paddle like buggery only to miss wave after wave when they’re there for the taking.

I’ve given it a fair crack over the last 2 1/2 months but I simply don’t catch enough waves on it. I’s probably my fitness but I’m already surfing twice a week so if I’m not fit enough by now I probably never will be. Whatever.

So this afternoon I went back down to Torquay and traded it in for a Bourton Big Bat at Base Surfboards. It’s the board I should have bought three months ago - 6′8″ x 20.5″ x 2.5″, which isn’t much bigger than the shortboard when you look at the numbers (shortboard was 6′4″ x 19.5″ x 2.5″), but the difference is in the shape. This board has plenty of volume under the chest, which I’m assured by the experts in the shop will give me the extra kick into the waves that I’m missing.

First surf on it will be with John and Damo tomorrow morning, before golf with Iao. The forecast is for 2-3ft onshores, which isn’t great, but hopefully I’ll get onto a couple….

Photography