Attempting to Drown myself

[WildernessWanker]

It's not a bad idea to recruit a friend, sometimes starting out it might take a couple tries to figure out how to get back in your yak and assistance is helpful. Especially if you're not successful after you try a couple times it's surprising how tired you can get and then you'll end up just hanging on the side and floating with your yak. I know a couple guys who tried in a pool a couple times before they attempted it out in the salt, something to consider. You could even start shallow to get the mechanics of where to grab the yak and how to pull yourself in then work your way to the deep end!

[William Novotny]

If I may add one note. Never leash your paddle in the surf zone. If you bail you could become wrapped in it and injure yourself. You want to be able to get out of the way of your yak if it's being pushed by a wave. Doesn't seem like allot but the combined weight of your kayak and all that water behind it can really do some damage to whatever it runs into. Strap down your gear but untether your paddle.

[WildernessWanker]

Originally Posted by William Novotny

If I may add one note. Never leash your paddle in the surf zone. If you bail you could become wrapped in it and injure yourself. You want to be able to get out of the way of your yak if it's being pushed by a wave. Doesn't seem like allot but the combined weight of your kayak and all that water behind it can really do some damage to whatever it runs into. Strap down your gear but untether your paddle.

Solid advice, my first roll I was trapped between my paddle and my yak not yet outside the breaking waves which meant I ended up in breakers tangled in my leash. Not a comfortable moment at all. Test your paddle to see if it floats, if it doesn't then slide a couple short pieces of pool noodle over the handle outside your grip and that'll keep it up.

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[William Novotny]

Just go on a day that the group kayak people are out there. Don't forget your helmet!

[Endlers]

I dont understand why i would want to put my Gear on my kayak just to go flip it in the water.. It just seems like id be trying to soak my poles in salt water ruin the berrings and possibly break poles when they slap the hard surface of the water .. Just to learn how to get back in the yak? Couldnt i do that with out strapping all my gear too it?


Are you guys saying once i get my yak to just load it up and go out in the bay with out testing it first? with just me and the boat? I am so confused.

I havent even gotten my kayak yet and it feels like im doing everything wrong. First i bought one that's too small.. then im trying to do something stupid in it when i get it by trying it out in the surf.. and before it has even gotten here im being told that im already going to trade it in for something else.. Seems like i might have made a mistake in buying it in the first place.

[ful-rac]

Originally Posted by Endlers

I dont understand why i would want to put my Gear on my kayak just to go flip it in the water.. It just seems like id be trying to soak my poles in salt water ruin the berrings and possibly break poles when they slap the hard surface of the water .. Just to learn how to get back in the yak? Couldnt i do that with out strapping all my gear too it?


Are you guys saying once i get my yak to just load it up and go out in the bay with out testing it first? with just me and the boat? I am so confused.

I havent even gotten my kayak yet and it feels like im doing everything wrong. First i bought one that's too small.. then im trying to do something stupid in it when i get it by trying it out in the surf.. and before it has even gotten here im being told that im already going to trade it in for something else.. Seems like i might have made a mistake in buying it in the first place.

No, don't load up all your gear and flip it. You could do that in a pool..so you could recover all your gear...not a good idea in the bay or open water. Just take your kayak out to the bay paddle around fish get the feel of your new kayak and how it paddles for a few weekends and then go from there. You will learn a lot just from paddling it for a day.

You might have made a mistake buying this kayak...depending upon how serious you are about kayaking and or kayak fishing. If you like it and want to stick with it for awhile, I think a better kayak will be in order.

Just calm down, take a deep breath...learn the fundamentals before you venture out into the open ocean.

[jorluivil]

Originally Posted by William Novotny

If I may add one note. Never leash your paddle in the surf zone. If you bail you could become wrapped in it and injure yourself. You want to be able to get out of the way of your yak if it's being pushed by a wave. Doesn't seem like allot but the combined weight of your kayak and all that water behind it can really do some damage to whatever it runs into. Strap down your gear but untether your paddle.

Great Advice!!!

At last years Cambria Slam Down there was a kayaker that got tossed when he was landing. Actually, there were quite a few that got tossed but I remember this one in particular. Apparrently, after he got tossed the rescue crew came to his aid and began pulling on the kayak which was attached to a leash which was attached to a paddle which was wrapped around his armpit and neck. Fortunately, we were able to release the leash right away and get him up and on dry land safely. The entire chain of events lasted about 20 - 30seconds but by the time the kayaker was able to stand and start walking you could tell that he was out of breath.


Imagine if this happened while he was solo.

Yes, I am trying to scare but its for a reason.

[alanw]

First time out I brought one pole but left it in my car. Took the yak out of baby beach in the harbor, leaned on it, sat sideways, tried standing up, found out how far I can lean over before it dumped me, basically got familiar with the yak. Then I got my pole from the car and did a little fishing in the harbor. I got some experience with handling small boat wakes, ventured to the harbor mouth and got comfortable with some swells. After that I spent a few days fishing semi-protected areas outside the breakwall, easy to do in Dana Point. Then spent some time getting used to open water swells. Next comes surf launch and landings. I think this was ideal for a beginner rather than jumping straight into the surf zone.

But there's something to be said for going straight for the surf, and I might have thought about it if I was younger. Getting your experience in the surf might make everything else afterwards seem easy in comparison.

[Endlers]

Duh I think i understand now. All the info finally clicked. ( i am a Surfer, Skateboarder, Body Surfer,) so jumping right into the surf was kind of the natural way for me. Plus i was raised with a pool in my backyard.

1. Load Gear, Kayak, Self, in car.

2. Drive car to Spanish Landing Park.

3. Unload Kayak, Self, And Paddle.

4. Load self into kayak and paddle around the bay for a little bit to get how to paddle down first.

5. Once i feel i can paddle. Flips self. and learn re entry.( have watched videos)

6. If i can manage all of that in the morning and feel good about my self then load all my gear and go fish!


Sound about right?

[William Novotny]

Originally Posted by Endlers

Duh I think i understand now. All the info finally clicked. ( i am a Surfer, Skateboarder, Body Surfer,) so jumping right into the surf was kind of the natural way for me. Plus i was raised with a pool in my backyard.

1. Load Gear, Kayak, Self, in car.

2. Drive car to Spanish Landing Park.

3. Unload Kayak, Self, And Paddle.

4. Load self into kayak and paddle around the bay for a little bit to get how to paddle down first.

5. Once i feel i can paddle. Flips self. and learn re entry.( have watched videos)

6. If i can manage all of that in the morning and feel good about my self then load all my gear and go fish!


Sound about right?

perfect.

I made allot of mistakes finding out what was good and what was bad and what to look for and what to stay away from when buying a kayak. I now have a very good understanding of what will work for me. This kayak may work for you for the bay and lakes. I just know that everyone's opinions are being voiced out of concern for your safety. That kayak will not have the tracking or speed to punch through the surf zone and 90% of injuries in this sport are launching and landing

[ful-rac]

Originally Posted by Endlers

Duh I think i understand now. All the info finally clicked. ( i am a Surfer, Skateboarder, Body Surfer,) so jumping right into the surf was kind of the natural way for me. Plus i was raised with a pool in my backyard.

1. Load Gear, Kayak, Self, in car.

2. Drive car to Spanish Landing Park.

3. Unload Kayak, Self, And Paddle.

4. Load self into kayak and paddle around the bay for a little bit to get how to paddle down first.

5. Once i feel i can paddle. Flips self. and learn re entry.( have watched videos)

6. If i can manage all of that in the morning and feel good about my self then load all my gear and go fish!


Sound about right?

Sounds good to me! Have fun out there!