PC Video from January 30th

I have gone out around dozen times and PC and the surf was a little bigger than I wanted and I figured I would crash on the way back but fortunately, it calmed a bit in the afternoon. I caught 13(threw some back) sea bass, one ling that was too small and lost another ling at the boat. the current/wind prevented me from targeting lings the way I wanted. I didn't take my fish finder so it took a while to find the fish but once I did, it was pretty good fishing.

Question-I have done a pretty good job of making my approach to the beach between waves but I did crash one time while heading into PC's beach. The wave caught me and shot me forward and the nose of my kayak dove down and I essentially did an endo. I have done a pretty good job of avoiding catching waves on the way in but in the event that the waves are too close and I have to ride one in, what is the best way to ride it. I tried to find a good video online to see how to do it but I could only find guys riding in very small waves in the Gulf or guys riding monster waves on purpose. Do I take it straight at first and then dig my paddle so I end up going at an angle? Anyone know of a good video that shows how it's done? I have unloaded the kayak and messed around in the surf after fishing so I think I have it down but it is different with all my gear so any input would be greatly appreciated.

i could stand to get some insight on this, too. the one time i huli'd hard was a result of nose-diving while coming back in.

Very nice video dig the STP. The next time weather is good I am heading down until then I am catch and release sturgeon.

Nice video! I really need to get up there and fish PC with you guys. We're spoiled down here with our surfless launch 

I haven't tried to surf my kayak yet but I thought this video might be a good starting point.

The way I got taught was to moon the beach like you never mooned the beach before and dig your paddle in deep and flat and hold on and enjoy the ride.

Cool video!  Nice work on getting out through the surf, that was a perfect example of how patience is your friend during a surf launch. 

If you get picked up by a large wave, like the ones we have up here, it can be very difficult to avoid getting your ass handed to you.  On a day like that it may be best to try coming back in backwards after sprinting in past the outside breaks.  If you do find yourself in a position where you may get picked up by a wave your best bet is to try and anticipate it happening.  If you're in your Hobie, pull your rudder because having it down will only make it harder for you to control your boat.  Understand that your Hobie kayak will always want to turn to the right or left and not want to go straight simply because the hull isn't designed well for surfing big waves.  If the wave isn't too big, try and give a strong reverse paddle to try and pop through the wave and let it pass you by.  Assuming you actually start riding down the wave, use your paddle as a rudder as much as you can, don't try to paddle on one side in an attempt to keep up. Once you get picked up, lean back as it will help to keep your nose from burying in the water infront of the wave.  Use your paddle to try and steer yourself to the right or left, whichever you're most comfortable, then brace into the wave once your kayak goes completely sideways by reaching out your paddle and laying it flat onto the wave and leaning on the paddle and into the wave.  This acts as an outrigger and keeps you from leaning to the down side of the wave, which will cause you to get flipped almost immediately.  This is a tough set of skills to master so get out there and practice.  Wear a helmet too!   Hope this helps.

Great video. I don't think I'd be able to ride the waves that successfully in my 14' Hobie. It doesn't seem to like waves very much.

I found this video to be pretty helpful when I first started. I took my kayak down to Long Beach and spent some time playing in the surf with a helmet on last year. It was fun despite eating several times. Hobies can do well with out the Mirage drive in but I found I did better landing with the Mirage drive in with the blades pinned (Hobie 13'). I know it increases the rick of damaging the drive but I generally leave mine in unless its a glass kind of day. Others may do differently.



Even the most seasoned guys, which I am not, still get it handed to him and I still get butterflies coming into the beach at the end of the day.

Even the most seasoned guys, which I am not, still get it handed to him and I still get butterflies coming into the beach at the end of the day.

I'd second this sentiment.  Surfing a fishing kayak often ends up an exercise in controlling a crash. 



One way to take more control is to back your way in to the beach.  That way you can push thru breaking waves without having to surf.

-Mark-

Fun vid, thanks for posting! That was no easy summer day launch at PC - way to get through the breakers.

As far as making it back in... I probably have less experience than most of the guys on here. I just try my best to relax and get far enough to where I know I can stand up if I get thrown. Also sometimes at PC the break by the cliffs dies at low tide; I don't know why.

Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxGfKacD-vYyOUFJbm54NVFkWVE/edit?usp=docslist_api

Here's a good day at PC with good NWKA friends.

In the Viking video, Paddleguy Jas recommends installing thigh straps on sit-on-top kayaks so you have more control over the kayak when going in and out through surf.  I agree.  As a whitewater kayaker, I'm used to padding kayaks which have outfitting such as thigh braces, hip pads, and foot braces which give you great control over the kayak.  A whitewater kayak fits your lower body like a big ski boot.  In a sit-on-top kayak without thigh braces, I feel like a marble rolling around on a plate.  I don't have the kind of control over the kayak which I'm used to in a whitewater kayak.  I've added attachment points for thigh straps to my 13' Trident, so if conditions get hairy I can pull out the thigh straps and clip them in, which gives me much more control over the kayak for bracing and ruddering.  In my 13' Revolution, when conditions get hairy I'd rather be paddling than pedaling, and I should add attachment points for thigh straps to that kayak as well.

 Hey Beefer
 
 Take a look at this video shot by Jammer .

 Admittedly, the surf was fairly gentle on this day. But look how smoothly he nails this landing. It doesn't get much better than that. He looks back to get his timing in synch with the waves, braces just enough to compensate for  current , and dismounts with style. Well done Michael.