16.6.09

NATHAN EADES / ECUADOR & PERU / ENGLISH LIGHT VERSION

ANOTHER SURF TRIP: ECUADOR AND PERU



Name: Nathan Eades
Age: 26
Nationality: Welsh
Occupation: Design and Technology Teacher
Competition records: Top ten at last worlds, but I consider myself a traveling surfer and not a competition chaser, although I recent won a couple of competitions this season, must have got lucky...
Website: www.ImNotSadEnoughToHaveMyOwnWebsite.com
Sponsors: Nookie, Robson paddles, Lobster Bob ocean wear, Shred Ready helmets, Zeal Optics, Atlantic waveski, Canoe Wales, currently no kayak sponsor...

Ecuador Team were (names):
Marc Holland- Wales
Joey Hall- USA East
Naomi James- Wales
Rob Hearn- Jersey
Pete Blenkinsop- England

Hi Nathan, to start, the regular question: after Teahupoo in 2003, Sri Lanka in 2007, Morocco in 2008… Ecuador in 2009! Tell us… where did this new adventure just started?
We had been looking for a destination which along with consistent waves, also had small numbers of surfers in the water so that we had plenty of space to get on with surfing and collecting film. Of course the quality and size of waves was a major factor, and during November and December, Ecuador scores some pretty tasty waves!! During November we didn’t see a single day without waves and instead saw plenty of solid days. As Ecuador has a smaller number of traveling surfers drawn to it, we pretty much surfed alone!
The Ecuador part of the trip was just the beginning, when Joey and the rest of the gang went home in December, Naomi and I stuck around until the new year, then carried on traveling south, into Peru.

What were the main purposes of this trip. Just for fun or some work on the film?
It was all Joey’s Idea to go to Ecuador, to film more footage for ‘Interference’ surf kayak film which I promise is coming sooooooooooon. Joey is just a bit of a perfectionist and wants it to be perfect (it already looks pretty amazing so I’m excited to see just how good it will be when it’s in production). Along with that he also had us working like crazy out there to help produce the next flick: ‘Interference instructional surf kayak video’.

About Ecuador: where have you been surfing?
We travelled to a lots of different spots, but most of the time we surfed a break called ‘Ayampe’. This break was great for us; it had super steep walls which shut down at the end and gave us a nice steep ramp to launch off and get aerials. our only mistake really was that we loved surfing the wave so much that we forgot to take shots so there aren’t nearly enough shots to do it justice! Marc Holland was getting some huge air and Rob Hearn was ripping, but unfortunately we didn’t get it all on camera. At the end of the day though, a trip like this is all about surfing and having a great time with your mates and not stressing about shots.

And the local people… received you well?
The thing about Ecuador Loui, is that because Chile and Peru have got such a great reputation for waves, Ecuador seems to get forgotten by so many traveling surfers. Because of this there isn’t much competition in the water and the vibe is really mellow.

Best memories from that country and people…
Staying at ‘Finta Punta Ayampe’ in these really cool cabins set back in the jungle, with an ocean view. We got up every morning at 6 am to check the surf from our balcony before racing down to the water to have another amazing session! Joey was responsible for finding that spot, and I think we all agree that he found us an incredible surf destination!

You’re now surfing with Riot surfkayaks. Tell us what surfkayaks did you took and your appreciation about them…
Well that’s a story which doesn’t have a happy ending I’m afraid. The boat I surfed in Ecuador was the Ninja 7’6” designed by Spencer Cook. It was a fantastic kayak, but sadly Riot has gone into liquidation and the production of the Ninja at this point has stopped. A real waste of a fantastic design, but I hope Spencer sorts something out with it to compensate all the hard work that went into designing it and the other kayaks: the Ninja 6’8” and Sword IC. It would be a real shame if the surf kayak community didn’t get a go in these kayaks.

What gear do you use right now to surf?
Nookie Kayaking Equipment: I am very fortunate that I have had such amazing support from Nookie over the past 10 years! I have always loved and used their equipment even before I became part of the Nookie team. Right now the Nookie ‘surf skirt’ spay deck and the ‘Ti vest’ is a great combination to keep the water out, but to be fair anything with that Nookie logo on is going to serve you well and last forever!
Robson paddles: I use the new Robson ‘Fluid’ paddle which looks very similar to the Chile, but has more flex in the shaft and paddle so its a little kinder to your wrists.
Atlantic Waveski: The guys at Atlantic make great skis, anybody thinking of making the cross over, should take a look at an Atlantic wave ski.
Shred Ready: The Shensu is the model I use; it has a nice close fit so it doesn’t get ripped from your head every time I take a hit. I would recommend it to any kayak surfer. their new Standard is a sweet lid too for any river paddlers out there!
And that waveski?
I’ve been playing around on a waveski since I came back from Sri Lanka after meeting Steve Chivers out there. We exchanged numbers and he lent me a ski of his for a few months until I was convinced enough to order my own. Riot sent my kayak down to Ecuador so I decided to take my wave ski across with me and surf it in Peru. I absolutely love riding a ski, I find it way faster than a kayak, much quicker to turn and it seems to leave the water much more often than a kayak. It was nice to get a sun tan on my legs this trip too. Don’t get me wrong though, I still love to ride a kayak, I just think; seeing as kayaks and skis are so similar, more people should give one a go. It’s all paddle surfing at the end of the day.

Now, the same old same… you already surfed in many countries (Brazil, Basque Country, South Africa , Tahiti, USA, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, Morocco). Now, after this trip, what is the best country to surf? (hehehehe)
I’m close this time Loui, really close to being able to tell you that yes I have found my favourate destination. I had such an amazing time on this last trip, and all I’ve talked about is our time in Euador. I haven’t even got going about our 2 months in Peru surfing countless long, long left point breaks along the coast from the border all the way down to Lima, getting in classics like Lobitos, Pecines, Los Organos and Chicama. South America is a super cheap, easy, friendly place to travel. It offers great weather and very very consistent surf, with plenty of space to find empty line ups. In 4 months we only saw a fraction of what this place has to offer, so a return trip is definatly on the cards! As for a favourite, I’m not old enough to stop traveling Loui, and until I do, I can’t answer that question. But anybody looking for a surf destination, Ecuador or Peru should be high on their list.

Imagine I want to go surfing to Ecuador… what kind of advices do you give me?
Learn some Spanish!! I managed to pick up a little during the trip, but really regret not going to evening classes before I left. You do come across a lot of people that speak good English, but traveling is all about meeting new people, and it’s frustratong when you come across some one who is really cool, or funny, and you can’t have a real conversation! As with all developing countries, be on your guard, and be careful with personal possetions. I didn’t find Peru or Ecuador too dodgy.... just be sensible and it’s all good!

The best memories you keep from this 4 months…
Surfing, eating amazing food, getting a sun tan on my legs, meeting great people, riding a waveski, travelling with Naomi, getting barreled on New year’s eve, the huts in Ayampe, getting to know such a cool culture!

Expectations for the Worlds in Portugal…
Catch up with the Northern Ireland guys, ‘Ozzie Bason’ and other mates.
Get plenty of waves.
Go partying with Andre Punto and Loui.
Have a lot of of fun.

Last words for all the surf kayakers that are going to read your interview…
Life is too short to save it for retirement. You can’t surf when you are 65 anyway, so play now and work when you’re old!
Thanks Nathan! Meet you in Santa Cruz!
ALL THE PHOTOS HERE:

Published: 17.06.09
Text - Luis Pedro Abreu
Photos - Marc Holland + Naomi James