surf landing strategy

How ya'll are!?
 
 I was out in the ocean with a friend on Sunday. A little fishing, a little exploring and some surfing with the yak.
I seem to have trouble staying with the wave where I should be, instead I pull to the side and roll it. My buddy has no trouble at all. My question is this, I paddle a prowler 13 and he paddles a drifter, is the hull design somewhat to blame for my instability or is it all me?
 Also, what method works for you? Do you stay in front of the wave or "chase it in"?
 
Thanks for the help

The Drifter has a bit more rocker which makes it a bit more responsive in the surf.  The features that make the Prowlers track so well, hinder it somewhat in the surf.

I usually try to follow a wave in, but if you're following one wave, there is certain to be a wave behind you as well.  So really, am I following a wave in or being followed by a wave?   

A couple tips:

1) Paddle hard all the way in, don't let up for one moment.
2) If you're boat starts to pull to one side, you can shift you paddle way out, grabbing one end like a canoe paddle, and stroking.  The added extension gives you pretty good power to correct.
3) Thigh straps help with control.
4) Practice, practice, practice.

-Allen

Hmmm-  I wonder how well my WS Ride would do?  I may have to post my results when I return from Westport after the weekend!

Pete

 POLEPOLE,
 Thanks for the tips. The practice part seems to be the best advice. (as allways)
 The fact that my friend grew up in Santa Cruz may give him an edge on the surfing part as well. His "at homeness on the water" makes me feel more secure as I'm learning the basics of Ocean observation.
 I think I'll stick to the basics till I get 'em down. Then maybe get a surfing yak if I want to enjoy that sport.

paddling in BACKWARDS.....

I used to land bow first in Linda Mar - and I hated it cause you could never see the incoming waves and hated the feeling of getting "pushed"and end up sideways. I then met some of the local guys who fished this area (like cpyak) and I watched them come in stearn first and I was amazed with how easy it looked. I tried it once and never went back to landing bow first.

Based on my experiences at Linda Mar: I wait for the last wave of the set and then I start paddling in backwards as fast as I can - yet keeping my bow pointing forward....once I see a breaker coming my way, I start paddling forward and punch through the incoming. The wave then sucks you in backwards - this is the critical moment to where you want to make sure your bow keeps pointed towards the next swell by paddling forward some more because your yak will tend to turn sideways. Just keep repeating these steps till your paddle hits the sand and then quickly jump out and get in front of the yak and grab on to the carrying handle to keep your yak top side with more of the incoming shore breaks. Simply slowly guide your yak into the shoreline and your golden   NEVER STAND IN BETWEEN YOUR YAK AND THE SHORELINE OR YOU WILL TURN INTO A BOWLING PIN.

Practice ,practice,practice. It's not a perfect system (I have flipped a few times landing this way - simple because I timed it wrong) but I still feel more comfortable doing this type of landing. Just remember that not all beaches break the same way. I have only used this type of landing at Linda Mar. Also remember to stow your rods,FF,GPS,sunglasses below the deck (easier done with a pal - if you don't have easy access to a hatch) and remove your paddle leash cause you don't want it wrapping around you if and when you fall off or tumble on the surf.

pros: you see what your getting into - no surprises
cons: your yak WILL take on water and it gets heavy (this is when you need to muscle your foward stroke to gain control of the yak by keeping your bow pointed forward)

Cpyak and the others may do it differently - but this works for me 

Hey Mooch, when are you going to come up here and show us how it's done? 

Haven't been monitoring the NCKA board- you ever start a wood boat?

Thanks again MOOCH,
 Seems you have all the answers for me today! I never thought of the butt first method, It sounds very logical to me, I will have to try it sometime in mild conditions first. I do like the idea of seeing whats coming at you and dealing with each wave instead of the" mad scared run for the beach" just waiting for the next big push to roll me on over for a bath.

Hey Pisco.....my wooden boat project has taken a back seat...for now at least. Been working with Bill and Chuck doing Kayak Fishing Seminars in around the Bay Area to help promote (and spread the Gospel) kayak fishing.

Would really like to venture out and kayak-fish your waters, I've been lurking in this site and looking for pics - I don't see too many but then again, the few I've seen makes me wanna go....I think the further North you go the better fishing and the scenery gets even better. Eventually, I'll be making my way there   (allen really neeeds to work on more emoticons)

Boxfrain - just remember that not all beach breaks are the same. Spend a few minutes watching the wave patterns and then decide on how to work with it. Good luck and paddle safe.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO MY NORTHERN BROTHERS 

(allen really neeeds to work on more emoticons)

Thanks Mooch!  Just what I need ... more work.

And like Mooch says, not all breaks are created equal.  I've not tried the backwards landing, but I think it may have issues with longer breaks ... just a hunch.

-Allen

Thanks,
 I have done a bit better since I realized I can't surf in like some boats. Most of my launch and landings are in some pretty small coves and protected areas anyway. Ive been using the paddle till your in method.
 Whats with Linda Mar? bad surf? never been there but sounds like you gotta want to go bad to launch from there.

Whats with Linda Mar? bad surf? never been there but sounds like you gotta want to go bad to launch from there.

Linda Mar is located is a small beach town in Pacifica. I'd say about 15 to 20 minutes South of down town San Francisco. The beach break there can be big at certain times lot's of surfers frequent this place cause it's close by. But what really draws us kayak fishermen to this place is the variety of fish you can catch in this small cove. 2004 was the year of the Salmon. Many NCKA regulars came home with limits by noon. Salmon were being caught 15 ft. below the yak at 40 to 60 ft of water. But the wind & swells would usually come up by the time you had a stinger full. So, most us had to take turns stashing our fish and gear below our hatches becuase of the surf entry. Waves usually comes in sets but there were days when every single wave in a set was HE-UGE

Anyway, I don't have any good pics to show but maybe this will give you an idea of the conditions and the fish 

Nice fish Mooch!