"There are barges and bridges to dodge thousands of people watching... only one wave you don't want to make mistakes."
Safety boat media Crew Mary making friends with the dragon RSM:Looked incredible what rush ! How long of a surf did you get on the waves,days ? MaryO:The first day I was lucky and got to ride it for a long time. Not sure how many minutes...but it was long and felt like forever. I had a huge smile on my face. The second day Wingnut and I traded off and got about two rides per person. The final day our ski was running bad, the wave got a lot bigger and bumpier so Wingnut road it once and that was it. We basically tried to outrun the wave and had a few very close scary calls. RSM:Yikes , Do you have favorite dragon wave moment in China or wave surfed during the session that is still in your mind? looked glassy and big this year that river is huge as well surreal with the city scape.MaryO: There were three great moments 一One was the first site of seeing the giant wall of whitewater coming at us (8 feet high) with ...
"Jaime Sterling ripping it up on a left, It was glassy, perfect a beautiful site."
MaryO:两Two was the first long great ride I had. I couldn't stop laughing and smiling. It was just soooo fun .The last day 三Three was a moment of doubt, I wasn't sure our ski was going fast enough at one point. We got something stuck in it and the wave just kept getting bigger and faster. I remember looking back and thinking " I might have to swim now" RSM: dang sounds like a river....lots of logs and sticks I noticed and who knows what that dragon picks up . RSM:As a PRO surfer who has surfed many waves did it feel the same as a ocean wave, can you compare it to any ocean waves you have surfed,did anyone catch a tube.How was the swim MaryO:Jaime got barreled there were moments when it felt like a giant playful wave similar to one in my hometown, except for the fact it never stops moving and you can ride it for miles. Maybe like a giant long Waikiki wave or a wave in a wave pool. Jaime slashing in the dragon tongue
The major difference is that we are in a river, it constantly changes from big to small, then small to big, and your dodging things in the river. It's a similar feeling but you just keep thinking...don't fall don't fall... one wave, one wave... the swim was easy a few waves and lots of water moving after you fall or get tired but overall it was manageable. Surprisingly wasn't as dirty as I thought it would be. RSM:Good to here ,was that a cargo boat surfing along side "Wingnut"or who? that is so wild looking out of place on a wave in the normal surf world. "Crazy footy and awesome Ariel picture . MaryO:Yes cargo boat with camera crew and press people. So many different angles to see and I don't think the footy or pix does it justice. When we first caught the wave there were no cameras or people in site..it was much bigger. The fascinating thing is that we were 50 miles from the ocean who knows how big it got further to the ocean. RSM:That's so wild you could surf into town from the ocean Surefire Mary sharing the waves with the boys Coed style MaryO:All we saw was 8-10 feet, but I am sure there are spots along the bore that were much bigger.
RSM:Good point,I like the sound all ready another great China adventure Journey to the lair of the Silver Dragon .
RSM: How was the crowd for the Surfing China XExpo,all looked stoked on surfing . MaryO: Surfing China Expo had a great turnout,there were pro skaters, vendors, and places for people to try stand up paddling. It was a huge success and has paved the wave for surfing industry and businesses in China, I felt so lucky to be apart of it. Ariel shot of the the stage amazing the size of the ship to surfer to waves to river
RSM:Boats, snake juice? what other dangers besides that can you offer to our readers if they trek to China to surf, any travel advice,food,drink, lost camera ... that sucks, no broken boards at least . "My advice would be to stay away from the SNAKE JUICE....creeeepppppy.."RSM:I have heard it gives you super natural powers ,are you sure non of you drank some ,thanks for the advice , stay away from the rocky mtn oyster's this way .
MaryO:Yes loss of camera was my fault,it was a nice camera...who knows maybe someone knocked it in the river. My advice would be to stay away from the SNAKE JUICE....creeeepppppy.. Otherwise, go enjoy, have fun, its great.
"The people are wonderful!"
RSM:Having surfed the river dragon do you plan on surfing other tidal bores around the world or returning ever to the Silver Dragon ? I hope to return to Silver Dragon and I hope to surf more bores... I am waiting for a invite.
RSM:Mary if you would like to say anything to the world please do here.
RSM: Wheres Aloha?
MaryO:All good..please watch the video
Silver Dragon Fire http://www.go211.com/u/maryosborne/videos/25071
RSM: If we may ask what is next on your great list of surf travels and adventures
MaryO: Maybe back to China to Hianan Surf Contest or on a 28 day sailboat expedition to study the South Atlantic Gyre both great adventures.
RSM: Sounds fun non..... stop fun you are ....don't ever stop !
I have read about that trip to the South Atlantic Gyre ,I want to go there and to the Pacific Gyre to see for myself the damage and give a hand .Truly sad stuff human's trash and pollution habits ,trash in the worlds river's is a big source to the problem and our concern as well , big respects.
RSM:You w
ent to the Gulf around the spill can you sum up in one sentence or a few word's what you experienced on that trip ,for sure devastating for the people and the ocean that way and a huge environmental tragedy your big picture says it all . RSM: On a happy note any advice for Women , getting into Surfing. MaryO:Get a good instructor..not your significant other...have fun...enjoy ... remember the ocean is always changing. RSM:And any surf advice for a inland caveman surfer about the surfpopup my surf weakness I just hold on for dear life..... usually crawl to my feet .... . more push ups I know . MaryO: HHAHHA Maybe you can teach me that move !!! THANKS! RSM:HAAA ,teach me to "HangTen" like you in the river and I will take you up on that glad to help,So surfradddooo!!!! Cheers ocean friend thank you so much for your time and words ,to the ocean and you
Mary peace & waves safe travels,River Surfer Magazine .
MaryO, MOE, you are our nominee for Dancing with the Stars someday and to you goes
"Super Silver Surfer Award "
for the first ever RSM XXL river wave search 2010 .
"Keep making friends with dragons lady and water falls "
Nacho Clown