SEAN BOZ - ENGLISH VERSION
SEAN BOZ / THE FREESTYLER KAYAKSURFER
Name: Sean Bozkewycz
Age: 24
Occupation: Kayaker, Raft Guide
Kayaking experience: Ten years
Sponsors: Kayak4Play, H2O Paddles, EW Canoe Gear
Address: My home is Melbourne, Australia, but I'm currently chasing creeks in BC, Canada.
Competition records: 2nd Tofino Surf Comp 2007, 2nd place on Australian Freestyle Team 2007, 1st Mixed Team 2006 Lea River Extreme Race with T-Faux, 4th Australian Freestyle Nationals 2006.
Hi Sean... you made a career on rodeo kayaking, steepcreeking, expedition kayaking… and kayaksurf, do you usually practice?
Over the last ten years in south eastern Australia our rainfall has been steadily diminishing, so basically since I started kayaking the beach has been my primary training ground. Coming to BC has been amazing for my creeking, but I most definitely miss the ocean. When I'm living in Melbourne I work during the week and then hop in my car and drive to the beach for a few days until I'm forced back to work! I grew up spending most weekends at the beach so it's a very familiar, comfortable environment.
Do you think that the river experience is essential to the kayak surfer?
Do you think that the river experience is essential to the kayak surfer?
While I would say that there's a lot to learn from paddling rivers that could be applied well to ocean surfing, I wouldn't say it's essential. The basics of being in a kayak are obviously similar, but the dynamics of ocean vs. river waves are substantially different in many areas. Essential to a kayak surfer is a knowledge and a feel for the ocean, instincts about which waves to catch, where to be on the beach and how to charge back out through the swell; these things can't be learnt overnight.
When you paddle, what is your favourite move?
When you paddle, what is your favourite move?
I've really enjoyed the challenges of learning combo moves, and I'll always have a soft spot for clean bunts and airscrews.
And paddler… do you have anyone in special that admires very much?
And paddler… do you have anyone in special that admires very much?
Anthony Yap's style, fluidity and amplitude are unparalleled
In 2002 you and your mate Yappa, produced a film called "Boz and Yappa's Big Summer Bash". What new projects do you have in this filming area?
In 2002 you and your mate Yappa, produced a film called "Boz and Yappa's Big Summer Bash". What new projects do you have in this filming area?
Last season I focused on getting my creeking skills up to scratch and putting a few short films together from BC's Lower mainland creeks. The cream of the footage has just been released in Skippy Films' first offering, 'Downunder the Horizon Line' (Heliconia Press). After seeing Bryan Smith's excellent 49 Megwatts and learning about the issues facing BC creeks I'm hoping to document the Chilliwack Valley in it's entirety next season. This small valley has more than a half dozen paddleable creeks and a few first descents still to be had. With BC's new Energy policy each creek could be sold off to a private company for the measly sum of $10,000. There are applications pending for every creek in the Chilliwack Valley - I'm hoping to raise awareness and show people the valley's riches before they're lost forever.
I'd like to have a full length film after this season, and with SE Asia, California, BC and Tasmania trips this year it's looking promising.
Which is the best kayak to surf?
The best kayak I've paddled to this day is a Wavesport Project 52. But I'm really hanging out to try the larger version of Bliss-Stick's newest, the Specialist. I'd also like to try a glass surf-specific kayak - I had a go in a Flyer last year in Bali but the small swell didn't do it justice. That new fluid beastie looks the goods too…
Do you usually participate in kayaksurf competitions?
I ran and competed in most surf freestyle competitions held in Australia up until I left for Canada early last year. In the lead up to the Ottawa River World Championships, we successfully trialled and implemented video judging at surf competitions. The same system was then used for an incredible week long selection event in large Phillip Island surf.
Recently, you had in Bali (November 2006) doing kayaksurf! Teel us all the story…
I took my Project to Bali with the hope of some epic waves, however it ended up more of a holiday than imagined. An hour's boat ride took us to our first reef hideaway where we enjoyed small sucky waves in crystal clear warm water. Snorkelling passed the low tide hours and the hammocks the rest of our three day stay. The local kids here were just ripping; little mongrels, but ripping nonetheless. Bali's prime tourist spot, Kuta beach, was the site of two bomb attacks earlier this decade that severely dropped tourist numbers. The stall holders and returning shoppers stopped to gawk each time I passed carrying my boat toward the waves. The Kuta beach waves were small and weak yet still allowed some fun amongst the myriad wannabe surfers. When the swell was right we headed out to the airport breaks for some fun fast overhead waves (for a kayak) that broke on scarily shallow reef. We were plagued with small swell, so amused ourselves lazing by the pool, drinking goldfish bowls or riding hired motorcycles around the island.
Which was the best spot that you surfed in a kayak around the world?
Buseater for it's size and violence, Nile Special for the weather and it's consistency.
And in your country?
We don't have any river waves worth mentioning, so in Aus the beach is where it's at. Phillip Island in Victoria handles all conditions and is generally reliable even in the smallest of summer swells.
What was the biggest scare that you've had in the sea?
On one of my largest days out, a legs-out rest to relieve the pins and needles was cut short as a dark line appeared on the horizon. Wary of tipping with the deck off I carefully, yet hastily, re-seated myself and went for the deck. Unfortunately the cold had robbed my dexterity and as I fumbled and cursed, the approaching wave grew larger. Murphy's Law – largest set of the day always comes when you're least prepared. It closed out and crashed down violently metres ahead of me, shooting whitewater into the sky. The deck was attached but the sides gaped open as I was engulfed; instantly feeling the cold rush of sea water filling my kayak. Sunk, near 200 metres off shore, I bailed and swam for it. Right then was the most scared I've been at the beach.
What are your long-term projects?
I'd like to have a full length film after this season, and with SE Asia, California, BC and Tasmania trips this year it's looking promising.
Which is the best kayak to surf?
The best kayak I've paddled to this day is a Wavesport Project 52. But I'm really hanging out to try the larger version of Bliss-Stick's newest, the Specialist. I'd also like to try a glass surf-specific kayak - I had a go in a Flyer last year in Bali but the small swell didn't do it justice. That new fluid beastie looks the goods too…
Do you usually participate in kayaksurf competitions?
I ran and competed in most surf freestyle competitions held in Australia up until I left for Canada early last year. In the lead up to the Ottawa River World Championships, we successfully trialled and implemented video judging at surf competitions. The same system was then used for an incredible week long selection event in large Phillip Island surf.
Recently, you had in Bali (November 2006) doing kayaksurf! Teel us all the story…
I took my Project to Bali with the hope of some epic waves, however it ended up more of a holiday than imagined. An hour's boat ride took us to our first reef hideaway where we enjoyed small sucky waves in crystal clear warm water. Snorkelling passed the low tide hours and the hammocks the rest of our three day stay. The local kids here were just ripping; little mongrels, but ripping nonetheless. Bali's prime tourist spot, Kuta beach, was the site of two bomb attacks earlier this decade that severely dropped tourist numbers. The stall holders and returning shoppers stopped to gawk each time I passed carrying my boat toward the waves. The Kuta beach waves were small and weak yet still allowed some fun amongst the myriad wannabe surfers. When the swell was right we headed out to the airport breaks for some fun fast overhead waves (for a kayak) that broke on scarily shallow reef. We were plagued with small swell, so amused ourselves lazing by the pool, drinking goldfish bowls or riding hired motorcycles around the island.
Which was the best spot that you surfed in a kayak around the world?
Buseater for it's size and violence, Nile Special for the weather and it's consistency.
And in your country?
We don't have any river waves worth mentioning, so in Aus the beach is where it's at. Phillip Island in Victoria handles all conditions and is generally reliable even in the smallest of summer swells.
What was the biggest scare that you've had in the sea?
On one of my largest days out, a legs-out rest to relieve the pins and needles was cut short as a dark line appeared on the horizon. Wary of tipping with the deck off I carefully, yet hastily, re-seated myself and went for the deck. Unfortunately the cold had robbed my dexterity and as I fumbled and cursed, the approaching wave grew larger. Murphy's Law – largest set of the day always comes when you're least prepared. It closed out and crashed down violently metres ahead of me, shooting whitewater into the sky. The deck was attached but the sides gaped open as I was engulfed; instantly feeling the cold rush of sea water filling my kayak. Sunk, near 200 metres off shore, I bailed and swam for it. Right then was the most scared I've been at the beach.
What are your long-term projects?
Exploratory creek and river running is number one on the agenda, so it's off to tropical Queensland at the end of this year to explore its mountainous rainforests. After that, who knows; plans are great but not having plans is good too…
What's your one favourite thing about the paddling lifestyle?
Exploring new places from our unique perspective and finding other paddlers to share stories and rivers with along the way- that's pretty special.
What are you hearing this moment on your ipod?
Dub and reggae from down under - Red Eyes, Fat Freddy's, trinity roots; Sevendust, Sweatshop Union, Rise Against.
Your favourite web paddling sites are:
What's your one favourite thing about the paddling lifestyle?
Exploring new places from our unique perspective and finding other paddlers to share stories and rivers with along the way- that's pretty special.
What are you hearing this moment on your ipod?
Dub and reggae from down under - Red Eyes, Fat Freddy's, trinity roots; Sevendust, Sweatshop Union, Rise Against.
Your favourite web paddling sites are:
Kayaksession.com, loungekayaker.com, Oregonkayaking.net, xackers, playak.
Let us some suggestions to those who want to start kayaking…
Get your roll down and you can do anything, so go to a few rolling sessions until your comfortable then take it to the river. Clubs, if you can find an active one, are brilliant for meeting people to paddle with and learn from. A few professional lessons will give you a great kick start too – consider a three to five day intensive to really get you off and running. The beach is great for teaching you to take beatings because here they always eventually end!
Thanks Sean! All the best for you.
Get your roll down and you can do anything, so go to a few rolling sessions until your comfortable then take it to the river. Clubs, if you can find an active one, are brilliant for meeting people to paddle with and learn from. A few professional lessons will give you a great kick start too – consider a three to five day intensive to really get you off and running. The beach is great for teaching you to take beatings because here they always eventually end!
Thanks Sean! All the best for you.
ALL THE PHOTOS RIGHT HERE:
http://www.kayaksurf.net/Sean%20Boz.html
Published: 17.06.08
Text - Luis Pedro Abreu
Photos ans Video - Personal Archive of Sean Boz
posted by kayaksurf.net at 10:35 da tarde
1 Comments:
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