Sands of Sorrow - Which launches eat the most gear?
 

It's not a matter of if but when Neptune will demand his due. On the paddle out but more often on the dicey dance in, the old man with the trident in hand requires periodic tribute. Where are his tolls on tackle, fish, and most of all pride the steepest?

Where are the Sands of Sorrow? Any beach can be a bastard, but which common (although advanced) launches cause the most havoc? I'm looking for stories and photos for a future newspaper or magazine article.

For starters, here in the southland I hear certain beaches below Ensenada are legendary for giving up big game riches - and the rough ride back in. Up in Malibu, County Line's chewed up and spit out more than its share.

What your take?

Big Rock in La Jolla. I have launched there with ankle slappers and paddled back in to 3' shorebreak. I destroyed my rudder one time and numerous times had to dive back in and retrieve other items. I have a couple of pictures too if you need them.

Mike
One Rev

IB at times:eek:

Aliso.

But by sheer volume, it must be Disneyshores.

Definately Ave de la playa, at times, I am required to pick up my float tube, and step over a wave. :rolleyes: No me gusta! :mad:

Fro

:D

Didn't Patrick have a great shot of a kayak endo at the shores from two winter's ago? I know he was waiting for me with camera in hand a time or two when the surf was up.:cool:

That was Tyler...

I only get the camera out when Art's in the surf :D

OK that's it... in my mind you two are now officially synonymous!!:o

Any exposed beach can be a nightmare.

Got shorebreak?
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall...1/IMG_3324.JPG

Or outside breakers :eek:
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall...1/IMG_3251.JPG

Endless rollers that could break any time:
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall...1/IMG_3301.JPG


The popular tourists at the shores?

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r..._2100_crop.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r..._2043_crop.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r..._2135_crop.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r..._2136_crop.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r..._2137_crop.jpg

Ahh the famous Lj Shore Catapult Maneuver :D

Normally pretty mellow, but sometimes Sano can be pretty challenging.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall...IMGP1251-1.JPG

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall...0/IMGP1237.JPG


A little size at the launch.
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall.../IMGP0206a.jpg

Great photos.....
 

I can't compete with those great photos, but my vote is for the most tame launch on the west coast (La Jolla Shores). Beside the tiny surf compared to launches anywhere else on the coast, we have way more fisherman launching here. I would love to know the dollar amount of expensive gear that's been burried here, as it's truly a goldmine. Countless Trinidads, Avets, Accurates, Toriums, Calstars, Seekers, and much much more. I know the less protected launches require more guts and skill, but I don't think you could compare any other launch for the total damage in a dollar amount.

What he said - we have all seen a ton of gear lost there. And I think it has to do with the short interval waves as much as the typical inexperience of the average angler who cuts their teeth at the shores.

+2 for darkhorse

Dream Killers.
 

That last shot of T-rexs pics was my worste lanch and eroe day at LJ...Remember our dream killer converation that morning at the launch with Tyler....Breakers way on the out side just as you thought you were gonna be safe....T-rex has a few good shots of that day that got put on Bloody Decks....Was a clinic that day....I think the night before a couple of the regulars did the el rollo as well.

x100 :kayak-surfer: Aliso is the real deal!
Aliso is about the only place I know that can destroy a kayak and everything on/in it! Heavy joint tweaking is possible here too. Ditch the kayak and save yourself is par for the course!

This is a HEAVY shore pound beach! There is no shame in just saying NO when its thumpin! :notworthy:

Yes there is..........:D

And the whole time Clay was egging me on to go out further...:doh:

I know a couple of places that when it is at high tide with surf, all you can do is a Superman (jump off and hold onto the back handle of the yak)...

I'll have to consult with my buddy Jack...but I got my ass handed to me a couple times up at the Topanga area in MaliBU. Nice pair of Oakley's and a nemotank...Poseidon has my dues.

My old T-120... baja

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...t/IMGP0043.jpg

TREvor in baja...

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...y_2005_019.jpg

Everything under control here... baja :sifone:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...a/IMGP0069.jpg

Ditto! Aliso gets my vote!

You don't want to get caught going out or coming in by one of these. :eek: :eek: :eek: Bare-sand bone cruncher!

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall...re_Pound1.jpeg

Another good Baja shot, Chris trying to land. No gear lost though...

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall...Picture050.jpg

La Jolla may have mild surf, but it probably takes the prize for total number of ill-fated surf landings and the greatest financial impact of any beach in the world.

I've had my share of pain and shame at La Jolla; however, I have never lost anything of significant value in my poorly planned and executed landings. Breakers Beach at NAS North Island was the site of my single costliest surf launch. I have also had a couple of incidents on Islander trips that have cost me dearly :eek:

Some of our Aussie members might make an argument for the Mona Vale "sand monster" or a couple of other beaches in NSW and Queensland.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkxpKnw43FA

From what I've seen, just about every beach in South Africa would classify as Sands of Sorrow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-Q0Eip2L4A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb1EjjAE6vM

Doug,
I will never puss out on a surf launch again.
That was some crazy sheeyat.:D

And just think, they are in very fast and efficient ski's... Could you imagine that in a FND?:eek:

I have come to accept the fact that I will be getting wet during most surf launches.
I do know the Hobie Adventure will cut and punch through good sized surf but to expect a mouth full of water in the process.:D

Its the swamping on the return that I worry about.

I'm not complaining about our Jewel, LJ Shores is still the tamest surf on the coast. IMHO
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8...D720/ry%3D480/