His father
introduced surfing to him at the age of 8.
Appalachian State University freshman Jud Watkins then expanded
his skills on a surfboard to get involved with surf kayaking.
“I had kayaked for a long time, mostly whitewater,
but living in Wilmington and being so close to the ocean
made it more convenient to surf,” Watkins said.
Now, six years later, Watkins holds the World Championship
title in surf kayaking.
“Boards catch more air, but kayakers use more of the
wave when surfing,” Watkins said.
Since 1999, Watkins has been a part of the United States
East Coast Kayak Surf team.
In 2001, the team went to Santa Cruz, Calif. for the championship.
“The competition is challenging but a great experience,”
Lesli Shooter, an Appalachian graduate student and member
of the 2001 East Coast team, said. “The camaraderie
is great. You learn a lot and make great connections.”
The team took another third-place trophy home, while Watkins
took home first place in his individual competition, and
the title of Junior Men’s Surf Kayaking World Champion.
Watkins again joined the team in 2003 and defended his title
in Easky, Ireland.
“There was a lot of pressure,” Watkins said.
“Because of school I did not have much time to practice
and I got to the competition later than the rest of the competitors.”
To be eligible for the team, a surfer must qualify for team
trials by doing well in at least four contests.
Surf kayak contests are held up and down the East Coast,
from New Jersey to Florida. Team trials consist of two competitions,
with the cumulative scores deciding who makes the team.
Once the team of 16, and four alternates, has been chosen,
a trainer is brought in to work with them. The team has to
be in great shape for their 20-minute competition heats.
They lift weights, do cardiovascular workouts and, most importantly,
spend time with the kayaks in the water.
After eight months of practice with the trainer, the team
heads off to the competition.
Every two years the Surf Kayaking World Championship hosts
225 competitors from thirteen countries in a 10-day competition.
The championship has two parts, individual and team competitions.
Five or six judges watch the four competitors in each 20-minute
heat. The surfers are judged on wave selection and length
of ride and style, which includes tricks. The first- and
second-place winners move on to compete in the next heat.
In 1999, Watkins went to his first World Championship in
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. There he won third in individual
competition and helped his team take a third-place win home
as well.
“Jud is a remarkable athlete for his
age,” Shooter said. “He is mature, personable
and well-rounded.”
“I got a gold metal trophy with a piece of 3,000 year-old
Irish bogwood carved into the shape of a wave,” Watkins
said.
Now that Watkins is farther from the ocean, he said he will
have problems practicing.
“I will have to push to make four contests this year,”
Watkins said. Although his goal is to qualify for the 2005
team and defend his title once again in Costa Rica, Watkins
also wants to start competing in whitewater paddling.
“I enjoy the outdoors,” Watkins said, “kayaking
combines a great workout with fun and adrenaline.”
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