The conditions of Folly Beach Surf on April 21st are what put the “Battle” in the Battle For Folly. 35 mph winds, 3-5 foot surf and four competitive teams battling it out for fun, prizes and awards.

- Wind direction indicators. These gulls were angled parallel with the beach all day, which is exactly the way you had to angle your boat or board if you wanted to maintain any kind of position in the lineup.

The way the competition works: Surf Teams made up of a Standup Paddleboard, a Short Boat and a Long Boat compete against other teams in a traditionally scored surf competition. In timed, 20-minute heats, each competitor will face like surf crafts (example: SUP against SUP) from each of the other teams in order to score points. First place in the heat wins four points, second wins three points and so on. At the end of the double-elimination preliminary rounds the top two teams are chosen for a head to head final.

The wind intensity allowed us to keep the tent up for about 30 minutes before we decided it may buckle in half at any moment.

ESKA’s R2D2 had some problems. The timer and horn system experienced some technical difficulties at the beginning of the day. Anthony and Joey doctored it up. Also, it should not go without mentioning that the local ESA group provided a fantastic service with experienced judges and judging supplies. Thank you to the ESA and to Josh Hall at Charleston Country Parks and Rec for introducing us.

SUP surfers took to the water in the first heat. Notice the gust of wind blowing boards away.

Philip Aschliman paddles for a drop in

Matt Faust was the very good sport who ran the flags and timer for us.

For his services and friendship to the community, Matt was awarded the Fabulous Guy Award. Joey Hall proudly presents with a firm handshake.

Team Snack Pack showing team spirit, getting their short boater, Andy Gates, back up wind to launch again. Andy earned the Sickest Trick award for the day by throwing up (as in barf) during his first competition heat. That’s what team spirit gets you.

Steve Riordon exhibits a powerful bottom turn with victory-at-sea conditions in the backdrop.

John from Charleston SUP Safaris paddles into a juicer

Daniel Richardson drops in

Way outside, Gordon Rock catches wave of the day for the SUP riders. All these SUP surfers should be commended for their incredible stamina on such an adverse set of conditions. Bravo guys!

Daniel and Yonton carry the short boat of team member Paul Scrutton up wind for another launch.

Spencer and Anthony assist SUP team member Gordon Rock in getting back into the water.

The most spirited teams show their enthusiasm by flying custom, team flags.

Other teams show their enthusiasm by flocking with the local gull population.

Anthony Bell cuts back in the short boat class

Spencer Cooke pierces the closing lip of a wave in the long boat class

Yonton Mehler performs a cutback in the long boat.

Competitors brandishing their winnings at the awards ceremony.

Thanks again to the sponsors listed below, and to Josh Hall at Charleston Country Parks and Rec for supporting this event. Also, a big thanks to Beth, Kristen, Virginia, and anyone else who lent a hand setting up and tearing down the contest.

Please keep an eye out here at INTERFERENCE for details on our Fall event at the Outer Banks, October 3-6, entitled Tournament of Champions. There will be another team event, Battle for Nags Head, a surf-what-you-brought event entitled Iron Wave, and a standard two day kayak surf event.

Relevant Links:
Sea Kayak Carolina, ASTRAL, IR, Accent Paddles, Shred Ready, Jackson Kayak, Valley Surf Kayaks
East Coast Paddlesports and Outdoor Festival

Despite partly cloudy skies and a little bit of rain, the annual East Coast Paddlesports & Outdoor Festival did go on as planned.  As part of the festivities there were opportunities to try and buy boats and gear from vendors such as Sea Kayak Carolina.  Formal paddling instruction was also made available, including two days of kayak surfing classes taught by Joey Hall and Spencer Cooke.

Marshlands in the outlying regions of the James Island County Park

Year after year, Sea Kayak Carolina is the largest single vendor at the East Coast Paddlesports & Outdoor Festival, bringing an entourage of touring boats, car racks, pfds, paddles; basically their whole store.

(right to left) Brian Good from IR, Matt Faust, Megan from Werner Paddles

The feet of Megan, modeling the Brewer shoe from Astral

On the way to Folly Beach, Joey discusses plans for a day of surf kayak instruction.

Matt Faust and others unload the trailer, excited to get into the water.

Spencer explains wave anatomy to surf kayak students.

A stranded jelly on Folly Beach

Launch time

Matt Faust on a smooth wave

It takes serious control to be able to surf down the line in an OC1.  Burt is as solid of a C1 paddler as you’ve seen.  Never once missed a roll.

Kyle is a Charleston local who paddles whitewater regularly and just now discovered the joy of surfing.

Bob takes some in-surf instruction from Joey.

Bob turns instruction into action.

Joey demonstrates a powerful top turn as he smacks the lip.

Charleston County Parks and Rec provides the shuttle back to the festival grounds.

Screening of INTERFERENCE and HOW TO GO SURF KAYAKING after dinner.

April 19-21 (this weekend), join Joey Hall and Spencer Cooke for three days of Kayak Surfing at Folly Beach, SC.  Organized by the Charleston County Parks and Rec as part of their East Coast Paddlesports and Outdoor Festival, these three days of surfing will include; on-water instruction (Friday and Saturday) in the waves at Folly Beach, a film screening of How To Go Surf Kayaking (part of the Coming Home DVD 2011) and a short segment from INTERFERENCE (on DVD 2009), and a Kayak & SUP Surfing Competition (BATTLE FOR FOLLY) at Folly Beach Pier.

Today: Packed and ready for a weekend of surfing

Battle For Folly Prizes and Trophies

2008: Spencer and Joey during a surfing expedition in Morocco

One last shot of the prizes and trophies from our sponsors.

Relevant Links:
Sea Kayak Carolina, ASTRAL, IR, Accent Paddles, Shred Ready, Jackson Kayak, Valley Surf Kayaks
East Coast Paddlesports and Outdoor Festival

On April 21st the inaugural Battle For Folly Competition will occur.  Competitor space is still available and you may register at the Charleston County Parks and Rec website.

Teams made up of Kayak Surfers and SUP Surfers will compete for prizes.  “Battle For Folly,” may imply that someone will win Folly Beach.  Not true.  Charleston County Parks and Rec and the lovely City of Folly Beach have been gracious enough to host this competition for the day, but they would like to keep their town after we’re done.  Instead, competitors will walk away with fantastic prizes from Sea Kayak Carolina, ASTRAL, IR, Accent Paddles, Shred Ready, Jackson Kayak, Valley Surf Kayaks and more.

Sponsors:

Host:

Presented by:

Battle For Folly is a surfing event to be held April 21 at the Folly Beach Pier.  Competitor meeting is at 9:00 AM at the peir.  First heat begins at 10:00 AM after the Half Moon SUP Race is over.  The surfing competition will be judged by ESA judges.

Battle For Folly is a surfing event to be held April 21 at the Folly Beach Pier.  Competitor meeting is at 9:00 AM at the peir.  First heat begins at 10:00 AM after the Half Moon SUP Race is over.  The surfing competition will be judged by ESA judges.

Get your team entries in for the Battle for Folly 2013, presented by Interference Surf, Effort, and the Eastern Surf Kayaking Association! Entries are now being accepted at the Charleston County Parks and Rec website.

We are excited to announce the following prize packages to be awarded at the Battle for Folly event on April 21st, 2013. Our generous sponsors are giving away the following:
1st Place Team Prizes:

• LONG BOAT PRIZE: YTV PFD from ASTRAL
• SHORT BOAT PRIZE: Kling-on sprayskirt from Immersion Research
• SUP PRIZE: MAX FX 3 piece paddle from Accent Performance Paddles

2nd Place Team Prizes:

• LONG BOAT PRIZE: Standard Half-cut helmet from Shred Ready
• SHORT BOAT PRIZE: K1 Shirt (long sleeved) from Immersion Research
• SUP PRIZE: Brewer shoe from ASTRAL

3rd Place Team Prizes:

• LONG BOAT PRIZE: Throw rope from ASTRAL
• SHORT BOAT PRIZE: Astro Hoodie from Shred Ready
• SUP PRIZE: Guide Short from Immersion Research

Additional Door Prizes:

• Prizes from Sea Kayak Carolina
• Prizes from Valley Surf Kayaks
• Prizes from Jackson Kayak and the SUP SuperCharger
• Films from Rapid Transit and Interference Surf
• Shred Ready apparel

Sponsors:

Presented by:

Battle For Folly is a surfing event to be held April 21 at the Folly Beach Pier.  Competitor meeting is at 9:00 AM at the peir.  First heat begins at 10:00 AM after the Half Moon SUP Race is over.  The surfing competition will be judged by ESA judges.

Interference, in partnership with Effort, Inc. and the Eastern Surf Kayaking Association is proud to announce two events for the 2013 surf kayaking season.

The first event, Battle for Folly, will take place as part of the Charleston County Parks and Recreation East Coast Paddlesports & Outdoor Festival in Charleston, South Carolina on April 21st, 2013.

REGISTER HERE: (you’ll need to use the code 30862 to access this event, and it will prompt you to register for a free account with the website)  https://online.activecommunities.com/Charleston/Start/Start.asp

____________________________________________________________
The Battle for Folly event will use the popular “Battle for” format previously showcased at the Battle for Hatteras event in 2010. Teams of three competitors, consisting of a long surf boat, short surf boat, and a stand up paddle board, will face off against other teams to determine the Keeper of the Lighthouse. This event is open to surf kayakers, sea kayakers, and SUPers of all skill levels, and will feature fabulous prizes, to be announced. We are excited for this chance to work with Charleston County Parks and Rec to bring this fun format to a new location.

_____________________________________________________________
The second event in the Interference event series, The Tournament of Champions, will take place October 3-6, 2013 in Nags Head North Carolina at Jennette’s Pier, site of the 2011 World Surf Kayaking Championships. This event will feature a standard competition format in addition to the Battle for Nags Head comp and the 3rd annual Iron Wave Contest. More details will be announced soon.

- Awesome prize packages for the top placing teams from Sea Kayak Carolina, ASTRAL, IR, Shred Ready, Accent and more.

Please review the rules for the Battle for Folly event below:

EVENT RULES & DESCRIPTION

BATTLE FOR FOLLY*
*The following rules are subject to change due to attendance, time, and conditions.

A new concept for paddle surf competition is here.

*The inaugural “Battle For” event was the Battle For Hatteras, held in 2010 at the famous Hatteras Lighthouse Break in North Carolina. In 2013 there are two “Battle For” events planned; Battle For Folly and Battle For Nags Head.

Format: Teams of 3 paddlers in 3 separate categories battling to be crowned KEEPER OF THE LIGHTHOUSE
Teams are comprised of 1 SUP, 1 Long Surf Kayak (may include sea kayaks) and 1 Short Surf Kayak (may include whitewater kayaks)

Rules for this team event:

- Teams of 3 different paddlers; each comprised of one Short Surf Kayak, one SUP and one Long Surf Kayak.

- Paddlers will accumulate points for his/her team based on their performance in their respective heats.

- Two preliminary rounds, each team will surf twice in randomly drawn heats. Surf Kayak paddlers will surf against Surf Kayak Paddlers, SUP against SUP, etc… Prelim heats will be 4 person heats.

- Top 3-4 teams advance to the finals for head to head 2 person heats to decide who will win the title of Keeper of the Lighthouse.

- There will be 4 rounds of finals, so each team member will surf head to head against each of the 3 other competitors in his/her category.

- Teams must have a team name, and a team flag to display on the beach.

- The more noise on the beach the better – bring your bells, whistles drums etc… to support your team.

BONUS POINTS FOR PRELIM ROUNDS:
- Teams with women paddlers will receive 2 bonus points(each) for the first round. Teams with juniors receive 1 bonus point (each) for the first round. This is to encourage teams to include women and juniors, and promote women and junior surfing.

- Finals are every team for themselves, with no bonus points added.

- Time permitting, there will be an individual “Surf What You Brought” event following the finals.

- Awesome prize packages for the top placing teams from Sea Kayak Carolina, ASTRAL, IR, Shred Ready, Accent and more.

- REGISTER for Battle For Folly HERE: (you’ll need to use the code 30862 to access this event, and it will prompt you to register for a free account with the website)  https://online.activecommunities.com/Charleston/Start/Start.asp

Relevant Links:
REGISTER (use code 30862)
Effort, Inc.
Eastern Surf Kayaking Association
Charleston County Parks and Recreation
East Coast Paddlesports & Outdoor Festival
2011 World Surf Kayaking Championships
Sea Kayak Carolina
ASTRAL
IR
Shred Ready
Accent

This coming October 7-10 the Nation’s best Surf Kayakers will gather at the Outer Banks of NC for the US National Championships of Surf Kayaking. More info at http://eskasurf.com Then, in October of 2011, the WORLD Championships of Surf Kayaking will be held at the Outer Banks of NC. More info at http://www.worldchampionshipsofsurfkayaking.com/.

Team Interference plans to attend and compete in these events.  Wish us luck!  We’ll do our best to video and photo as much as we can to share it with the rest of the surf kayaking world.

Team Interference member Spencer Cooke has been working on a fresh batch of performance surf kayak designs with our friends Drew Hayes and Raymond Cotton.  Together they form Ninja Surf Kayak Designs, which is sort of like Voltron but with less robotic tigers.  We had the good fortune of helping test their designs in the wild, and if you’ve seen Interference, you saw the Ninja 7’6″ in action during the Ecuador segment.  Also, the boat Spencer is in during the Morocco portion of the film is the predecessor to the Ninja 6’8″.  Both of these boats are in the high performance range, and are really impressive designs.  In addition to these shorter boats, Ninja Surf Kayak Designs also has an incredible long boat called the Sword.  Nimble and fast, the Sword is a sight to behold on the water.

Murky Water is making the Ninja Designs!

We’re stoked to be supporting Ninja Surf Kayak Designs, and even more stoked that Interference sponsor Murky Water is manufacturing these boats for the masses.  Visit http://ninjasurfkayakdesigns.com for more info and while you’re there, watch the promo designs for each boat, they feature some cool bonus shots from the Interference footage!

Spencer with the Ninja 7'6"

We are proud to announce a very special Washington DC premiere of Interference: A Kayak Surf Film on April 26th 2010.  We are donating all proceeds to the DC chapter of Surfrider Foundation, who is hosting this premiere at the Avalon Theater.  The Surfrider Foundation is a wonderful organization that acts as an advocate for surfing the world over.

The Surfrider Foundation is a grassroots, non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research, and education. -surfrider.org

There will be a happy hour at Senor Pepper before the event, from 6-7:45.  Say “Interference!” and get 15% off food and drink.

Showtime at the Avalon Theater will be 8pm and the film runs about 2 hours.  Tickets are $10.

For tickets and more details please visit the DC Surfrider Foundation Chapter site

Thanks to Cheryl Norcross, Jim Buley, and DC Surfrider for putting this premiere together.

Happy birthday to Team Interference member Naomi “Ninks” James AKA The Champ.

Naomi serves as the Team Interference enforcer, bringing the hammer down on evil doers the world over, often saving the rest of us from getting scammed, misled, or otherwise taken advantage of…she’s always got our back.

She is also the reigning World Surf Kayak Champion, libel to throw a big lip move on any wave. But her biggest achievement is perhaps her willingness to put up with the constant shenanigans of her fiance, the scoundrel known as Yellowboy. For this, she deserves some sort of international recognition, perhaps sainthood.

Happy Birthday Ninks!