Heading out to sea for the first time. HELP!!?

[Cbad Mike]

Maybe you can get a little more comfortable by launching in a harbor and paddling out into the open water. This way you can get familiar with swells and the action of the water. Plus if you find yourself getting a little sea sick you won't be far away from the calm water of the harbor.
Just my 2 cents.... Good luck.


Mike

[finyak]

Good advice from all the above.I've had my kayak for 2 months now and I'am still not ready for LJ.I'am going to take my time and get real comfortable with my yak before going out.I'am also getting some less expensive gear together e.g.Jigmaster 500,Diawa Sealine30,Torium 30 in case of rollover.Leashes are a must.Meanwhile I'am practicing throwing plastics in the bay and lakes while I"am getting ready.

Good luck.

[Mongo Johnson]

Surfline will tell ya how fierce the waves are on any given day. Bigger surf will bounce ya that much more. A flat day, means an easier in and out and less boncing.

Regardless of the wave height, and the tides, wave sets are an IMPORANT underlying thing to take time to figure out. You can lessening you hassle by using the lulls between the sets. Often, it's a patience folks don't have and it gets 'em pounded.

Waves come in on a recurring cycle of "sets" . . . like clockwork . . . big waves come in followed by a lull, and then another "set" of the bigger waves followed by a lull. This varies based on tides and wind. But, sets is sets.

You have to sit on the beach, higher up is better, and just watch to find the pattern of the sets on any given day or time of day. Or, sit outside the surf zone and gauge the feel as you come in.

Just watching a bit can save you some grief of a tumble, or a big tumble vs a small one.

You're looking for the mellowest gap in the cycle.

If you stand on the beach and happen to be in a lull, you may think to dash in. If you happen to be at the "end" of that lull, then you meet the big waves as you go out.

Were you to wait for the end of a lull AND the completion of bigger part of the set, you'd be going in at the beginning of the lull and have more time to get out in less sloppy water or genuine waves.

Google beach diving tips. Lots of stuff on beach diving and safe entry that's directly relevant to yak entry.

[Biggameaddict]

Originally Posted by Mongo Johnson

Surfline will tell ya how fierce the waves are on any given day. Bigger surf will bounce ya that much more. A flat day, means an easier in and out and less boncing.

Regardless of the wave height, and the tides, wave sets are an IMPORANT underlying thing to take time to figure out. You can lessening you hassle by using the lulls between the sets. Often, it's a patience folks don't have and it gets 'em pounded.

Waves come in on a recurring cycle of "sets" . . . like clockwork . . . big waves come in followed by a lull, and then another "set" of the bigger waves followed by a lull. This varies based on tides and wind. But, sets is sets.

You have to sit on the beach, higher up is better, and just watch to find the pattern of the sets on any given day or time of day. Or, sit outside the surf zone and gauge the feel as you come in.

Just watching a bit can save you some grief of a tumble, or a big tumble vs a small one.

You're looking for the mellowest gap in the cycle.

If you stand on the beach and happen to be in a lull, you may think to dash in. If you happen to be at the "end" of that lull, then you meet the big waves as you go out.

Were you to wait for the end of a lull AND the completion of bigger part of the set, you'd be going in at the beginning of the lull and have more time to get out in less sloppy water or genuine waves.

Google beach diving tips. Lots of stuff on beach diving and safe entry that's directly relevant to yak entry.

Very descriptive. Thanks alot.

[Mongo Johnson]

... keep perpendicular to the waves and paddle like hell even on a flat day.

[TheBentRod]

Originally Posted by Cbad Mike

Maybe you can get a little more comfortable by launching in a harbor and paddling out into the open water. This way you can get familiar with swells and the action of the water. Plus if you find yourself getting a little sea sick you won't be far away from the calm water of the harbor.
Just my 2 cents.... Good luck.


Mike

All good advice. This is the most important thing. Get used to your kayak. Understand how to change direction in your yak. Prowlers track pretty well and are made for surf launches.

Watch all of the You-tube videos on launching and landing. There are very helpful ones.

If you don't have a GPS, just don't lose sight of shore. So don't go out on foggy days. Also get a compass in case and learn to read it.

The only way to learn is to get out on the water. The only thing that matters is to be safe.

[echo1er]

crawl...walk...run!

harbor...baby beach...surf!

[bellcon]

Some good advice
But lets not make harbors sound like a no danger zone...

Some crazy chit can and will happen to you in a harbor if your not careful;
Wind, small boats, sail boats, wind surfers and large ships are just some of the dangers

Keep your head on a swivel and be safe out there

[TheBentRod]

Originally Posted by bellcon

Some good advice
But lets not make harbors sound like a no danger zone...

Some crazy chit can and will happen to you in a harbor if your not careful;
Wind, small boats, sail boats, wind surfers and large ships are just some of the dangers

Keep your head on a swivel and be safe out there

True that!

[PE.rider]

...What everyone has said so far plus...

Make sure your vessel is fitted with proper safety gear like VHF Marine radio, safety and signalling tools, rod leashes, tie-downs or bungee hatches, anchors, first-aid kits, H20, etc. These are all must haves!