Have I mentioned that the Spaniards are keen? BrrrrrrrUUUUU, you DO NOT understand! Today I held the last of 3 clinics here in the quaint town of La Villa Joyosa, Alicante, a suburb of the greater Valencian territory. The group was made up of all the guys who have travelled far and wide to compete in tomorrow's race. It would be fabulous to say that the Hombres travelled all the way from North East and West to see me, but the truth is that there is a race on tomorrow and, well, the Spaniards are all very very....keen; so that's why they cames really! Their passion for life exemplified in one story (many of them abounding) of the boys stopping for petrol in a small town along the way which just happened to be in the throws of a little mini-fiesta (only 2 days long....). They were meant to stay at the same place I am but instead they got "stuck" in the town en-route and where otherwise occupied....the whole night! They arrived at the clinic fresh off the "jol" and ready for action! It seems the concept of a Road trip-slash-Tour is allive and well, and also, carries a lot of weight here in Spain.

So the clinic went off brilliantly. Many of the attendees are actually very accomplished flatwater sprint and marathon paddlers with a couple of previous and current Spanish representatives part of the group. It felt a bit blind giving some of these guys a technique lesson as I reckon their techniques lick mine any time of the day, but I suspect the language barrier made me sound like a guru.

The format for the clinic was pretty much the same as the previous two. I start off with some surfski history and then go straight into the Ocean ABC of Paddling (www.surfskischool.com) which covers all the basics. Then we do some technique work after which we talk about catching runs and going downwind. Then we hit the water for some practical work. Siesta starts at 1400-ish (have I mentioned I love siesta!) or thereabouts and after a meal of champion proportions (and a bit of a rest) we hit the water again for more practical work.

Today we were blessed with a classic 10-15knot breeze which made for some great surfing Mediteranean style! Let me tell you something, this coast has some serious downwind potential!!! A long coast ine with easy access all the way down, good wind, what more could you want? Anyway, the guys were loving it and I didn't really think that they grasped the concept, language barrier and all, so I offered some trips in the back of a double....

Have I mentioned that the guys here are KEEN!!!

Enough said. The next hour or so was spent as a ferry from the slipway to the ocean and back; Pablo and the Fiesta gang in the thick of it and still going strong! This is where one of the guys commented on the downwind taxi oprated by one Senor Daweed Mocke. Step right up, today only, downwind taxi!

So, there it is. I'll report back again tomorrow after the race (which I am beginning to suspect is going to be harder than I thought). Until then, start checking your leave calender and flights on Iberia Airlines, next year's race here is going to be a classic!