PADDLE POWER!

Kite surfers move over ... new paddlers are taking over the pristine waters of Amwaj to enjoy a thrilling new sport.

A Bahrain Surf Ski Club has been formed after three like-minded, outdoor-loving water sports enthusiasts came together after discovering the latest craze which has become a hit around the globe.

Amwaj resident Declan Gaynor, 33, a Royal College of Surgeons lecturer in Bahrain, said: 'Surf skiing is growing in popularity and we thought we ought to get organised and help to develop the sport.

'The ski is a long, narrow, lightweight kayak with an open cockpit, with a foot pedal-controlled rudder.

'It's similar in a way to a racing kayak but because it's very narrow it can go very fast through choppy and flat waters.

'The sport is particularly popular in Europe, South Africa, America, Hawaii and now in the Gulf. There are even major races such as the Southern Shamaal in South Africa and the Dubai Shamaal.

'If they didn't have it in Dubai I probably would not have been exposed to it. I was visiting friends there who had enjoyed kite surfing with me in the past. But as there wasn't much wind they started surf ski paddling instead and I joined in the action. It was awesome.

'It is quite challenging at the beginning as there is an inherent instability at first and a lot of falling over.'

Gaynor, who comes from Ireland, says he loves the relationship sports fans can have with the sea living in Bahrain and it wasn't long before he found compatriots' with the same passion in neighbours Richard Flynn, from the US, and Aussie, Damian ten Bohmer.

Surf skis typically measure around 5 - 6.5m (161/2-21ft) long and only 40 - 50 cm (16-20 inches) wide. They are extremely fast when paddled on flat water and are considered to be the fastest paddled craft available over a long distance on ocean swells.

Surf skis are now used worldwide for recreation, surf life-saving, training and competition on flat-water or ocean downwind racing.

Bohmer, 43, is a marketing account director at the Intercontinental Hotel, said: 'This is a sport that I grew up with in Australia, my uncle was a national surf life-saving champion and he raced earlier versions of the very modern surf ski we now use.'

Flynn, 47, who works as a port engineer, added: 'Being a keen kite-surfer I really wanted to keep fit when the wind was not blowing and the surf ski looked like the perfect alternate. It is so much fun!'

The three soon became six and more are soon to follow. A page on the social networking site entitled 'Bahrain Surf Ski Club' has been created to start a community of skiers in the kingdom.

Gaynor said: 'We normally put up messages on Wednesday and Thursday evenings asking who's up for a paddle and what time. We also track the route for those to see and check weather conditions.

'While we still are a small group and we are learning from one another, the plan is to later have experienced paddlers from the Gulf, who had competed in the Dubai Shamaal Race, to create some training workshops in Bahrain.'

For the less experienced, the flat waters of Bahrain are perfect and very safe, the trio say. Gaynor added: 'We will be having a 'paddle open day' on October 15 for anyone interested in a fun day out and to learn more about the activity. You have the sensation of actually riding the waves and you can speed along at 20 to 25km an hour. Once you catch a wave you often catch a good set of waves and you are away.

'For those starting the sport, a good day to try it out is when you have a nice flat day - no waves generated by the wind and Amwaj is great for that because the water is often most of the time. Once the wind picks up you have about 12 to 15 knots. For me, I think this is a brilliant complimentary sport to kite surfing and the club is a humble beginning for us.'

For further information contact Damian ten Bohmer on +966 55 610 4443, Declan Gaynor on 36640272 or email bahrainsurfski@gmail.com