new kayaker, would love input

Hello, figure I'll introduce myself.  My name is Spencer, i live in Clatskanie OR - between Longview WA and Astoria OR on the Columbia river.  About a month ago my buddy took me out on his boat and got me addicted to rock fishing on the south jetty.  since then I've been spending most every waking hour (and even some sleeping ones) trying to figure out how a guy can get out after rockfish without having to buy a $10,000+ boat.  to keep a long story short - discovered kayak fishing, did a ton of research on the internet, and fell in love with the idea.

any day now my 1st Kayak should be arriving at the Astoria dive shop.  i ordered up a Malibu Stealth 14, with the rudder kit, and got the X-wing as well.  My hope is to be prepared both with gear, and ability to come down to Depot Bay for ORC....With both time and budget not in my favor i was hoping i could get some expert opinions.  I would like to spend time/money wisely to prepare for ORC to make sure i get what i need.

What would be the minimal gear needed to safely participate in ORC?  (i have read through the required gear list to enter, and will have all that gear).  Would chest waiters be adequate water protection, or should i put a rush on a dry suit, are there rental shops near depot bay i can get a suit for the weekend?  Will i need a VHF radio, or will there be enough kayaks in the area to safely buddy with to avoid this purchase a month or two?  Will i need a Depth finder / GPS, or will i be OK just blindly jigging were i think rocks might be?  Am i missing any other questions i should be asking on gear?

I've never been out of Depot Bay - how much surf/current will there be to contend with?  Where is a good spot to spend an afternoon paddling surf to learn my kayak near Astoria?  What is a good rule of thumb for swell height that would convince me to stay home and mow the lawn instead of driving to the beach just to find the swells are too large?

Sorry for the battering of questions, but i got alot to learn.  if anyone is hitting the water in the coming weeks near Clatskanie that don't mind a student please let me know.  thanks in advance!

Hi CC

I am fairly new and have learned a lot from this forum. IMO you should have a dry suit, PFD and a VHF radio.

Do not take the ocean or any body of water lightly. High winds and high seas you want to avoid. Your on the right track to get with someone who has experience. I worked the ocean 4 years.

I hope you enjoy what I started to do a year ago and love it every time I can get out. Take some time with your kayak in lakes and get the feel for it and learn to do so re-entries.

Enjoy the good times to come.