5/21 midmorning

[coffeebean16]

arrived and launched by 11 am into larger than normal waves with an extremely short period. soaked on the way out.

paddled to the edge of the reserve and filled the bait tank, started looking for bait. chased the birds around for whatever they were diving on. didnt get anything.

got out past the point into a stiff breeze. the radio said 6ft swell on a 9-10 second interval with 1-2ft wind waves. that was the size of it and i headed for the launch. waited and waited for the tourists to launch and was ammused by one boat that went to the aid of another whom had flipped. the upside down boat was then pushed into the "rescuer" and there were 4 people in the water.lol

another fishing yak came in passed me and promptly pointed back out to sea and backed in to the beach. as the waves were higher than i have ever seen them i tried it and took a little longer but got in without swimming.


taking next week off. not gunna deal with the potential crowds.

coffeebean

[Piranha]

I've wondered about backing in, never tried it! My aircraft carrier(fish n dive) has never given me trouble with the bow into the surf,i.e launching! Wish I could say the same for landing! I think I'm batting a pretty low average on larger surf landings. That's why I always stow everything when I surf land! Those years in the Boy Scouts paid off! Did you paddle out overeach breaker crest as it approached and then scoot back in for shore quickly? What was your technique? Enquiring minds wanna know! Thanks a million! Piranha

[wavster]

coffeebean, I think that was me you spoke to the other day at LJ.

I always back in unless it's really small. I don't want to say it's better, because personally, I think
it's a bit kooky and sort of a crutch.

I went out when I first got my new eXtreme and practiced straight in landings for an hour
and a half. Only made one without rolling. No equipment on board.

I just think, If I'm going to get wet doing a high brace, I might as well not risk pearling and come
in backwards. I've ridden small waves in backwards, but I'm ok with it.

I like to be able to see what's coming and I feel I have absolutely more control (in the eXteme) when I'm
facing out to sea. I'm sure others have different opinions, but I've seen experienced kayakers
flip in 1 foot of water, so what ever makes one feel more comfortable, I guess.

I've taken 3 footers in the head and chest paddling backwards, that I know if I
were going straight in would cost me $$$ in lost or ruined equipment.

As for technique: I keep my eye on the sets coming in. After the last one, I paddle in as far as
I can and make a quick turn to face West (don't get caught turning).
I then paddle backwards, as quickly as I can and keep the kayak pointed straight into
the oncoming waves. When a wave approaches, I stop my momentum and paddle into it.
Depending on the size and relative position of the wave from me, I paddle harder to get over
it or lightly to let it pass me by. I try to ride the back of it in a bit to save on paddling.
Repeat as necessary to get to the beach. Your actual mileage may vary.

[madscientist]

The backwards trick is mainly used by sit inside guys and is not usually recommended for SOT yaks. It will work in small to medium surf but in anything big it would be a disaster waiting to happen. The back end of most fishing yaks pearls worse than the front. Backwards you have less control if the wave grabs you and you cannot even try to really accelerate to beat one in. Better to get the proper forward technique down. In big surf I find its all a matter of coming in with a head of steam and either handling the wave you are on or the one behind it. More than that and you are in trouble. Sitting backwards in the surf zone getting pounded is not ideal.

[wavster]

Originally Posted by madscientist

... Sitting backwards in the surf zone getting pounded is not ideal.

But it sure is fun!

[Guyak]

The first couple times I ever went out, I launched at Carlsbad State Beach. Got the CRAP beat out of me, but I got used to it and nothing at LJ has scared me since. I agree with the wait wait wait PADDLE approach. Maybe I have just been lucky or maybe it was the years of surfing, but I usually get pretty far in when timed right and if I do get picked up it's by a smaller wave.

Luckily LJ is really shallow so the jump out and grab the bow rope works for me as well

If someone gets rolled (myself included) are photos on the board are fair game? lol

[Jimm H]

Known guys that back it in and they get pounded, too... they just see it coming instead of hearing the freight train!

Honestly, whatever feels good and works is best.

Of the three boats I've owned, the FND was the best surfer... it would turn sideways in the surf, but rarely roll. I learned on it to stick my shore-side leg in the water and the paddle blade on the wave face, and you could ride all but the biggest breaks in.

The bow of the Malibu Ex was always submerging, both on outbound waves and inbound surfing. It always plowed... and pretty deep, too. And, the front hatch always leaked.

The Cobra Maurader is the fastest, and the narrow prow has enough lift in it to pretty much keep above the waves-- no plowing. Unlike the FND, which I could get almost airborn going out over waves, the Maurader does slice thru surf on the way out, getting more wave over the bow.

But, it's a lot faster than the fish and Dive, so I spend less time in the surf line... hopefully catching fewer waves.

And, facing backwards, you are not going to outrun any waves like you can facing forward. what's the fun of seeing the train coming, anyhow?