http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiJ_53s9ouU I herd Shane Dorian speaking about this while watching the Reef Hawaiian Pro. I personally think it's brilliant idea.
It is brilliant, but between this and wavejets every kook in the world with cash gonna start charging big waves. All the glory half the risk!
dude that's pretty cynical. joe schmo down the street isn't going to buy one of these and go try to surf massive jaws or mavericks. Mark Healey or Greg Long, hardcore big wave riders, are going to use it. This invention will save lives, just imagine if Sion Milosky had one last year when he passed? He might still be alive today. Now the wave jet is a different story.
It was also mentioned that Sion was testing a type of emergency air supply for big wave riding. In the sense of practicality and safety issues, the CO2 powered V1 is a great invention. I agree with ripthegnar, I seriously doubt any inexperienced surfers will attempt 50'+ waves, even with the V1. I would be more interested in seeing the 3rd bar in heavy OBX charged more often when this suit becomes more readily available.
If you go to the wavejet web site they have a vid of mcnamara using the wavejet gun in I believe portugal, possibly same swell he got the monster. So I don't have to paddle, and I won't get held down for multiple sets. Just sayin novice surfers who happen to be thrill seekers now would have the means to charge without death being a serious threat. And I believe it is a great invention, wish I woulda thought of it, and it will save lives! And maybe I am a little cynical. And as far as its availability, its only a matter of time.
Dude, Shane Dorian almost died at Mavericks a couple years ago. Thats where all of this came about from. I heard the interview after his encounter. He had numerous ridiculous hold downs and almost died. He was talking about being at the bottom of the sea floor thinking about his family back and hawaii and why he wasn't riding chest high mush on the south shore with his son and that his entire life flashed before his eyes. Ever since then, he has been using reason and logic while risking his life, rather that the high risk high reward mentality that big wave riders seem to display. It should never be about the rush of almost dying, rather than the rush of racing down the 50 foot face of a wave... I think its great. Nobody under qualified is going to even paddle out if its 12ft+. So for those that spoke of people getting big waves the easy way.... Are any of you going to charge 25 foot Teahupoo with his life saving jacket. I think not.... Still wont protect you from getting pile driven into a reef.
