DON'T CHANGE A WINNING FORMULA!

 conditions were forcasted very similar to what we had yesterday, 15-20 knots wind and current flowing with us, so we naturally decided to go for another downwind in the Strait of Gibraltar. 

This time the plan was to practice some "Zen Master" downwind techniques with the double. You know what they say: 

Double surfski = Fun x 2

Can we make it as a team together?

There was only one potential problem to resolve - we had a new paddler joining in and I had to make sure he would be able to handle the 23 - 24 km paddle in the afternoon. 

The solution was to do a test session in the morning and determine if the paddle in the Strait was still a good idea. We went on the water for an hour as the wind and the waves were starting to pick up. The idea was to see how the basics skills were:

• Remount
• 3 strokes and brace technique 
• General paddling abilities 
• Catching a wave at the beach
• Downwind skills
• Paddling side on to the waves

It was all good and that meant we were on for the afternoon. Yeeehaaaa!

It is all OK! We are ready to go!

That meant it was a time for a short siesta and we headed toward the most southern point of Europe to start our downwind adventure.

Don't get smacked at the buoy!

The conditions were similar on the forecast but not the same at all in reality. The current was much stronger as you can see in the short video below. That was just outside the port of Tarifa and were flowing with 10-11 kmh without doing any paddling.

This is the Cardinal Buoy at Tarifa with the tidal stream flowing at high speed. 

As they say "a picture is worth a thousand words". So I am guessing "moving picture" will best describe the conditions we got a little further down in the strait. 

First we chased a catamaran...I think the skipper was super excited to see us. He was taking photos and videos (I assume, he had his phone in his hand) and shouting with a full force!

The Catamaran was too fast to hang on. Besides, the waves had already picked up and we could do our own surfing. 

It was time for some Yeeehaaaa!!!!

I have to admit that one of the benefits in paddling the double surfski is that we get to paddle easier back to the shore once we go around the lighthouse at Punta Carnero. It is about 2,5 km grind and it is always best to share it with someone. 

At the end we were little tired but very happy. To celebrate we decided to take photo with Gibraltar in the background...you could tell the plan was ok but the execution not so much.
Do you see Gibraltar in the photo?

The solution was to "photo-shock" somehow Gibraltar from a different photo...but I guess this will be one of those incomplete projects that will remain just as an idea.

Time to load the surfskis on the trailer and get back to Tarifa to get some food!

...and of course, before resting and relaxing, the boats and trailer need to get their well deserved fresh water rinse! 

Look after your equipment and it will look after you.

Tomorrow...we do it again!

Hasta mañana!