Waves Grande

[Gauthier Zitnik]

PlayaGrande is a beach-breaking wave, offering rights and lefts to surfers of all shapes and sizes. There are two main breaks in Playa Grande, Casitas being the one located right next to the river mouth and main grande being located right next to main town.

Depending on the time of day you surf Playa Grande will determine what type of board you should use, or at least from my experience. Though a dedicated short boarder, I found that surfing sunrise in Playa Grande was much more enjoyable with a longboard.

Jason and Derek have teamed up to bring you awesome surf travel guides created free for Wave Tribe. Jason is currently living in Costa Rica and has joined the Wave Tribe staff as a surf travel writer and is documenting his journey through Central and South America. Derek, Wave Tribe Founder, has surfed most of the places researched by Jason and adds his editing touch along with some helpful insights, maps and fun into each article.

Great article. Unfortunatly i just got back from there. Unfortunate only because i had to leave. It is a beautiful place. We stayed at palm beach, seven has the most incredible mahi ceviche i have ever tasted! However the main break at grande was very crowded but we had no problems with the locals probably because we were very respectful. I definitly return in the future. Pura vida!

Hermit rapid run Culebra Grande

This is the first picture in a sequence. These Pictures were taken with 2 different cameras. Hermit Rapid in the Grand Canyon is notorious for its huge standing waves. At 18,000 cfs they constrict to form a harmonic celebration of big water. In this first picture we are heading down the back side of one of the smaller waves near the top. Follow these links for the sequence. In picture 2 we are clearing the top of the largest wave. In picture 3 we are coming down the back side of the big wave. After realizing that we were not going to flip, I was able to exhale. We were counting the waves because in picture 4 you can see the flipper wave. This wave is out of sync or out of phase with the rest of the harmonic. For this reason it curls back and has been flipping rafts. I thought that this was the 7th wave. Anyway after big wave 6 we started to move to the left. In picture 5 you can see that we have missed the reversal.

I would like to thank the crew that went on the Culebra Grande. Dave, Abby, Ian, and Donica never once wanted to take the easy route. We knew lava was coming up, and we had to take the big water when we could for practice. No one backed down. The boat and the people were awesome. I often talk of experiencing this life style vicariously through my customers, but this was absolutely the best. Building this little boat that was that much fun, and then getting to run it through the big water of the big rapids in the Grand Canyon. It is an experience I will have trouble duplicating. Believe me, I will try. Thanks to the Culebra Grande Crew.

How the Culebra Grande Foot Thwarts Work

This is a drawing of the standard Culebra Grande for 2007. It has foot thwarts that are situated for 3 paddlers, two in front and one in the back. There is a profile drawing with the orientation of the foot thwarts and the floor. In that profile drawing is a detail drawing that is expanded so one can see the detail.

The Culebra Grande is not a new boat. We have been working on this design for a number of years. Until we tried out the new foot thwart concept, it was hard to understand why the standard Culebra was so much easier to stay in. Then when we used the foot thwarts it became apparent. Because the floor is so long and flexible, foot cups just have too far to travel before they actually stop the paddler from going out. Therefore they are not as stable as the foot thwarts. The reason why they are so stable is because they are tied to the main grommet strip that attaches the floor on the ends of the thwart, and they are attached to the floor in two places. This gives a paddler lots of adjustment for a comfortable and secure ride.

Have a look at the Standard Culebra Grande set up for 4 people. The back tube is to brace off of, and the front paddlers brace off of the back tube while the rear paddlers put their feet under the middle tube.

Have a look at the Outfitter Culebra Grande set up for 6 people. We have added one more floor tube, and made the back end of the main tubes blunt. In that way we have increased capacity without increasing length. Seven people would be possible if the guide in the middle back used a foot cup on the floor.

Culebra Grande Flip and Swim Practice

On our Grand Canyon trip in 2006 we layed over at Kwagunt Rapid. We ran the rapid 7 times trying to flip the boat. We were not successful even though we lost half of the 4 person crew on one attempt. In this photo we are practicing our self rescue techniques by flipping the upside down boat right side up.

Culebra Grande on the Numbers Section of the Ark

This photo is another shot of my good friend Otis Kunz. He is captain of this combination oar paddle Culebra Grande. The row frame is simple because the Culebra Grande does not need a frame to operate, but it does need one for the oars. Along with Otis are Ray Pieroti, and Bill Palko-shara. Otis has considerable experience and was a guide on Browns canyon, but this is everyone's first trip down the Numbers. What a blast. Thanks Ray for inviting us over for the weekend.

Culebra Grande Lunch on the Salt River

This photo shows the versatility of the Culebra Grande. We stopped for lunch and I took this picture from up on the cliffs. It shows personal gear, an 80 quart cooler, a fire pan, and food box. We had our share of the camp gear, and food for a 5 day Salt River Trip.

Culebra Grande Punches the Hole in Black Rock Rapid, Salt River Arizona

This photo shows the Culebra Grande as a 2 person paddle cargo raft running a class 4 + hole on the Salt River in Arizona. Note how much of the force of the water rides under the tubes and the floor, justs like a cataraft. This is why we think that this boat has the performance of a cataraft, and the convenience of a raft.

Surely these dudes can surf. But still very keen to progress. We talk about maybe a more advanced surf lesson with an external surf-coach. Instead we suggest to go surfskating at the surfskate ranch. Every move you do on the surfskate you will do in the water as well. Building up muscle memory and practice the turn over and over again. Different from the water where every single wave is a little bit different. The French love it. As a matter of fact, they go back the next day again for more surf skate action! You are never to old to learn how to surf properly.

Altogether we really surf all the different conditions the Algarve has to offer. The second last day we score pretty big waves on a perfect long left point break. Certainly the best waves of the trip in quality but the best session will be on the final day. Le petit Grande Finale with perfect shoulder high clean waves. As well as a soft offshore breeze and a bright blue sky. This session stands out above all the others. As can be seen on the pictures we are all shredding and sharing the stokes on every single wave.

With the boards on the sand, we were going to practice standing up. Andy told us to lay on our stomachs. He taught us about keeping our gaze to the ocean, how to place our hands, and our stance when popping up on the board once we had caught a wave. We tried it just a few times before heading into the water.

We trudged out towards the breaks. Sam was on his board with Andy in the back, navigating him through the small crashing waves. I was doing pretty well by myself, but it sure was hard work, even just getting to the right spot!

We had to remember just a few things when trying to catch a wave. Keeping the board perpendicular to the wave. Positioning our bodies towards the back of the board in the center. Keeping our hands at armpit level. And looking up at the ocean. Last, but not least, we needed to paddle hard when the wave came!

Andy has been teaching surf lessons for ten plus years. He told me that over time, his philosophy has changed. He used to try to get beginners to get everything right from the start but has learned that focusing on one thing works best.

Every person, he said, has one specific thing that they need to do to get up on the board. He identifies that after spending some time with them in the water, then encourages them to focus on that one thing.

We left with a new appreciation for surfing thanks to Andy. Sam went on to rent a board at our next destination, Samara. He got better on the smaller waves there, cruising on the whitewater with his dad.

This tower does justice to its name with various advantages that take luxury to the next level of grandeur with unhindered views, amenities that extend over 3 hierarchical levels and a multitude of residences that offer everything you expect from your home.

Waves Grande is 432 luxury residential units with private outdoor spaces. You have a choice of accommodation, including 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments as well as duplexes. Each living unit is a stylish and functional space, thought out to the smallest detail. The modern kitchens are equipped with all the necessary household appliances while the bathrooms come with high-quality fixtures.

The new development is located near the centre of Dubai. It is a tranquil area offering excellent views of the cityscape and parks. The location offers schools for children of different ages, as well as medical centres and pharmacies. There are several grocery supermarkets within walking distance of the residential complex, such as Talal Market, Al Ain Way Grocery and Fair Mart. For a delicious dinner with friends, visit Al Ain Way Restaurant & Cafeteria or Soho Garden DXB. In your spare time, you can play golf on the Meydan Golf Driving Range, watch a movie at the C&P Columbia & Paramount Theater Centre, or visit the Meydan Racecourse. The local transport interchange is represented by bus stops.

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