Catching waves in Point Michaud
Fifty youth hit the beach with Unama’ki surf program
Gentle, two-foot waves were rolling onto Point Michaud’s sandy shore on Tuesday, and Kaden Boudreau took some time to scope it out before hitting the surf.
“The waves were, like eightfoot last week,” said Boudreau. “The hardest part was just paddling out.”
This is his first summer with the Unama’ki Surf Program, which is in its sixth year. “I’m loving it.”
The Unama’ki Surf Program brings over 50 First Nations youth to this beach every summer. They come from six communities, from Cape Breton and the north shore on the mainland.
The water at Point Michaud was 15 C, which was pretty warm compared to what it was the week before. Once the youth don their wetsuits, they grab boards and hit the waves.
“I love when the waves are bigger, so you can try new things” said Sarah Prosper. She’s from Eskasoni, and in her fourth year with the program.
Early in the season, the waves had been small at Point Michaud, but last week the students got a taste of what the Atlantic can serve up.
“It was quite difficult,” added
Boudreau. “I was trying to get past the breaking points so I could actually catch something. I nosedived so many times.
“I love seeing the kids so happy when they catch waves and stuff,” said Prosper.
Prosper is part of a core of veterans with the program, who can all relate to the challenges
that beginners like Boudreau face.
“That was us,” said Cassidy Laporte from Membertou. She’s also in her fourth year. “I was scared that I was going to drown with all the big waves. I was getting smashed by the waves but I learned a lot.”
These more experienced surfers are happy to help pass on the lessons that they’ve learned over the years.
“Some of the ones who have been here before a few times will help out coaching the new ones,” said Damian Phillips, who is this year’s head surf instructor.
He spends a lot of his time working directly with the beginners.
“The idea is to get them out into the ocean and enjoying the sea,” said Phillips. “They all seem to love it, so that’s not hard to do.”
“Give it a try,” said Laporte. “Even it’s not for you, try it once, and you might end up loving it.”