Surf Landings

Note:
The following is 700 words that in essence says coming in backwards works real good. Feel free to go on to the next post.


Launched yesterday morning from an empty beach at low tide with flat water. (empty ocean too) By 11:00 when it was time to come in, the tide was back and conditions had kicked up into a fairly clean, long, chest high, beach break. Such nice conditions that I figured I'd play in the waves a bit since the fishing off. So I pulled off my reels, stowed my rods and put everything that could fit, inside the hull. Then pulled the drive and lashed it in the tank well and picked up the rudder.
I was ready to play!
Then I noticed that my two partners were almost out of sight, a mile or so south, in front of a densely packed beach. That was about the time I figured out that this section of lovely deserted beach was not where I launched from. 
Oh well, no biggy, I'd just have less play time as I wanted to leave with them. So I paddled down in their direction, in and out of the impact zone. That was fun and the few people on the beach were nice to look at.   Passed a couple of surfers who were having a really good time so I went a little farther out past the breakers and finally got down to where my first buddy landed. At this part of the beach there were a few more people around than I'd like to land in.

Now, I'm no Tsunami ranger, but I come in about 97% of the time right side up (okay, maybe more like 92%) Let's just say my hat does not get wet very often. In any event, I've gotten pretty good at leaning into the wave and coming in either straight or sideways, and normally right side up.  I still like to avoid people in the water though, as Moms tend to get a little pissed when you slam their 4 year old with 350+ lbs of kayak, gear and fisherman. So with some trepidation, I started to pick my line.

 At this point my other buddy (who's cart I was planning on using to get off the beach) says to come down further, closer to the launch.   It turns out that buddy1 had just huli'd, thrown a massive yardsale, and was still a 1/4 mile north of the launch.  So I followed buddy2 down the beach to where all of Jacksonville and surrounding counties was in the water in front of the walkway where we launched.
Great.
I picked a line where there were the fewest targets and there was at least 10' between a couple of 9 y/o's, then started timing the sets. I got ready to go, then back paddled off of the last wave of the set and just missed getting carried away by the other last wave that came right behind it. The 9 y/o's ducked under the 1st wave and got smacked down by the second, landing squarely in my chosen spot.
I yelled to buddy2 that I was going down the beach some more and he said "come in, they'll move!"    So I picked another line and he yelled "turn around and come in backwards"

Now, I'd heard that'd work, but I'd never tried it. So I thought about it for a second, then paddled out a few strokes, spun the boat around, and started back paddling. A good wave came in, I paddled forward, and popped right over it. Hmmf, that worked.  Back paddled some more, then paddled over another one, then kept going. Damed if it didn't work!
I hopped out in a little less than waist deep water, grabbed the handle on the bow, and guided the boat the rest of the way in, past some curious toddlers and grandmaws, then onto the beach between a pregnant mom in a beach chair and a pregnant guy on a towel.

I had to say it again, "hmmf, that really does work" I don't think I've ever landed with that much precision and it was a cake walk. Glad I've added it to my repertoire and you might want to give it a shot next time your out.

   

Great post.

I've never heard of actually landing backwards, but you make it sound like the way to surf land! I can see how having the waves in your face instead at of your back makes sense. Being surprised by a breaking wave from behind usually does not end well in my experience.

Will have to try it next time I'm in the surf

Note:
The following is 700 words that in essence says coming in backwards works real good. Feel free to go on to the next post.

You're right. I could have skipped onto the next post, but I would have missed a good story well told. That is what makes this site good. 

Great and informative post! Thank you!