Tragic I know, but today I was bored: the swell had dropped to less than waist high (compared to head high for the past few days) and there were only 2 of us out (compared to about 20 yesterday - 6 of them on sups!).
I decided to count how many waves I got in the (approximately) one hour that I was out. I also decided to keep track of how many I paddled for vs how many I actually got onto.
There were two peaks so we had one each - no competition and a very easy paddle back out.
I was carrying a few injuries from over-doing it over the past couple of days so my plan at the start was to get out after I had caught 25 waves which I thought would be a good challenge (Also figured the Neurofen would last that long).
Results..........
Paddled for 44 waves - got on 40!
Who would have thought you could catch 40 waves in an hour!
PS - I was on Jason's stinger board not the old faithful Walden (Jason was at work so I was sneaking a ride on his board!)
PPS - also got out with dry hair. I am now setting that as the starting record for number of waves caught without falling in !!
No doubting your figures there JB Mel. Sounds like a great session! You'll need to double up on the
pain killers next time!
It's mental how many waves you can get in a session when conditions are good. I counted a bunch of
waves at the Prom and worked out over a couple sessions (maybe 4 hours) that day I caught 70+ waves.
The other guys I was with got their fair share as well. I told some surfer mates about it and they still call
it bull 5hit to this day.
Yeah, Part of the reason I decided to count was that the guys at work poo poo me when I tell them that I got at least 50 waves in a 2 hour session. Now I know that I get at least that in 2 hours!
No wonder we get so hooked on this sport!!!!!!!
ps - the picture is of the other guy that was out with me. Hope he doesn't mind me plastering him on the net!
I caught 2 waves today and fell off 40. lol.
and got out with pointy heels and ear aches.
Damn it was cold.
FYI the 2 i caught were unbeleivable.
Good on ya Mel.. That's a good effort.. I've never thought to count.
I think I was going a bit slower than 40 waves per hour today.. I'm thinking about 30 wph.. Because the rides were just soooo long.. 
Sometimes I was only half way out and I'd see a good one coming and I'd think.. Can't let that go to waste.. 
Looking forward to seeing you and Jason again at ths years Mambo.
DJ
Hiya DJ,
I made a conscious decision today to not spin and go for stuff, but to make my way all the way back to the correct take off spot and only go for waves I was confident I was going to get on and get a decent ride. The peak I was on was off to the left of the picture and had a left and a right but the right was the longer ride. It was a really leisurely session, so imagine how many waves per hour might be possible if you really went for it!
You might be surprised if you counted your waves today!
And Yes I am looking forward to Mambo!
Mel
Before SUP I always counted. A good session was 4 waves in an hour. 2-3 waves for a whole session was ok, especially when you consider you're competing against competition level longboarders and shortboarders for waves. Often I was reduced to surfing the inside mush.
Trips away were better at less crowded places.
When I started SUP I still counted waves .... but then I just lose count in the first 15-20 minutes.
Yesterday I got 2-3 waves in every 10 minute block through chasing little grovellers and working in with the other surfers. That's fairly normal for most sessions.
Then I paddled off to a break by myself and got countless waves at high frequency. 2 waves in each set and numerous smaller waves in between. Often the smaller waves turned out to have more speed and better shape than the set waves.
Of course, it also depends upon the length of ride. I'm no good at estimating distance but yesterday most of the waves Brendan, Mike and I caught would have had to be at least 200 metres and, if you caught them all the way through to the end of the break (which were most of my waves), up to a 300 metre ride.
Still, in a 3 1/2 hour session and with only the three of us out for the first half of it, it added up to a whole lot of waves. Only came in because my legs were starting to feel a bit like jelly! Certainly a heap more waves than I would have got on my short board.
Your definately getting heaps of waves Ross and it's showing in your surfing.
But the wife's back now so you'll have to go back to the points system!
