A STONE’S THROW…
The few hours of sleep we managed were clearly not enough, but no problem, we awake excited to get out and explore Freights by daylight, then go check out some waves to surf. It’s only 8 o’clock but the sun is already burning hot, we’re out and about buying some provisions for the apartment before hitting the water for the rest of the day. We’ve hardly gone 200 metres when we bump into Jason again, he lives in the same area and he’s on the road looking over towards Freights Bay. “My wife Sarah is already on the water on her SUP, that’s her on the big left there, she’s even more up for it than me I think” he laughs. The crystal turquoise water and the stunning half-moon bay, surrounded by dense vegetation and beautiful little houses, are already overwhelming us with their Caribbean charms. It’s love at first sight as our eyes absorb the detail of such a magic spot, with its endless waves rolling off into the distance.
After grabbing supplies in the neighbouring village of Oistins, we return to the apartment to pick up our SUP gear, setting off on foot, boards under our arms, towards the spot just a stone’s throw away at the end of our street. We take the cliff path but can’t tear our eyes away from the indescribably joyful spectacle of the waves rolling in below. There are already twenty or so riders spread out across the spot, and Alexis paddles off to the left side of the bay to join Jason, who’s got himself onto a promising looking section. As the sets roll in, Jason encourages Alexis to paddle into his first Barbados wave, and with characteristic style and determination, he does exactly that, attacking the section with plenty of speed and smooth power. The boy from Brittany is quickly and totally at home here, and after a big fast bottom turn, hits a great rhythm with a series of backside slaps and carves. Jason is on the very next wave right behind; exploiting every nuance of the contours of this beautiful left, watched all the way by his new-found French pal, now back up on his board. Buzzing with the quality of the conditions, the two riders are deep in conversation paddling back out to the headland, where they position themselves carefully so as not to be in the way. It’s all totally chilled and, like Melanie on her longboard, everyone who’s on the water is wringing every drop of fun from each passing wave, faces frozen in huge smiles. The day draws out ‘til the sun eventually sets, more than living up to the billing Jason had given it the previous evening. All the same, we’ve been here less than 24 hours and it’s time to catch up on some of that missed sleep…
