La Jolla Sunday
 

Any of you guys gonna be out there? Trying my first beach launch and open water trip. Hoping I can tag along with somebody. Hopefully learn a thing or two.

Ill be there. I'll probably roll up at 7ish.... Well before my lucky get-bent-time:D

I'll be on a gray fnd. Should be there about 6:30.

Ok I won't tag along you won't even know I'm there unless............

Anybody have advice on launching?

For your first time: If the surf is low, which it will be push your kayak into shin deep water, get in and time your paddling to get through the surf without taking waves to the face or putting yourself in front of a breaking wave. You'll be fine tomorrow but this is good practice for those days when the surf is 4-6 and you REALLY want to get out there. You'll learn from both your victories and failures.

Good luck & tight lines

Thanks that's what I was looking for.

I hear the beach landings are harder. Any advice there?

50 years ago my little brother built us a couple paddle boards to fish from. He put a handle on the stern. Time to come in we would slide to backend of board and hold on, never had a problem, can't see why it won't work with kayak. You get wet but would be safe.

don't turn sideways to the wave's. tie your chit down! don't forget the shade's on you head:cool:

a bit of practice in the surf with no gear is a good way find out what works.

lj is a fairly well protected cove, its rare for the surf to be over 2ft.

I am planning my first go out tomorrow at LJ also. Will be there as early as 5:30 or so. Would be cool to paddle out with someone else also.

Brady,
As for landing, wait outside the breaking waves and try to get some timing on when they are coming in. Patience is key and just wait and time them out. Small waves Sunday so may not be much to wait for. Don't ride a wave in as it will most likely push you sideways and roll you - rather paddle in between the waves as they roll in. Best to put all rods down and not in the rocket launchers.
Enjoy the day!

Thanks kaya. See you there Irish. Tight lines.

I will probably be there pretty early. Green Malibu. Don't worry about or lose any sleep about the launch or landing tomorrow, It should be real easy. On channel 68 as always.

Just finished loading up and wife and daughter stoke me out with early Father's Day gift...handheld VHF, stoked!!!
Will see you guys in the morning, driving black frontier with white xfactor on top

comming back in
 

I never had a problem going out , but I have rolled 3 out of 4 times comming back in. watch the waves that sneek up on you back.:svengo:

Here is a stab at kayak landing in the surf.
1)As you approach the surf zone watch where the largest wave break.
That will set the starting point of your attack.
2) Watch how the sets work. A good rule of thumb is to watch the beach for the time when the water rolls as far up as it will. That will usually be within a wave or two of the end of the set. Although multiple swells can really mix things up.
3)Watch what is happening behind you more than you watch in front. Pick a spot to land that is clear so you can focus on what is important.
4) Back paddling is an important aspect of good landing technique. You can punch through backwards just like forward (for those instances where a wave is going to catch you).
5)If a wave, that you cannot back paddle through, is going to catch you then paddle forward at a slight angle to the wave. One of two things will happen (or both): You will start to ride the wave, and/or it will turn you sideways. If you start to ride the wave, then by all means, let out a YEEHAW! If you turn sideways, then lean into the wave bracing yourself with your paddle extended deep into the wave. (when loaded down, I prefer to come in sideways when a wave catches me from behind).
The 2 crucial elements when a breaking wave is going to catch you are that you need forward momentum when it catches you, and you must commit to the lean fully. With no momentum, the wave will draw you to the peak and dump you down, or just break right on top of you. Without a definite lean, you will tip over towards the beach.

This is my experience, although I have only used an OK Trident 15 paddle kayak for my learning curve.

I'm taking notes from the master. A man who fears no wave and sometimes turns back around to try it again...word. Me? I dump it OFTEN. Once you've got your first under your belt and you find out the beachgoers aren't going to point and laugh at you...it's not the end of the world. Tie everything down before you come in and if your do dump it, flip the yak back over before the next wave hits you...no biggie really.

As I approach shore, I respectfully feel like the brave men in the 9-11 plane that attempted to take back control from the hijackers..."Lets roll". Jim

Real quick
 

Lots of experience between the two of them . Couple other pointers. Wear your life vest and snug it down real good to protect your ribs. And never get in between the wave and the yak.

That is "never let your kayak get between you and the wave".