Ocean launches

Ok so I am wondering where good easy spots (don't know if there is even such a thing) to launch off the coast are for someone who hasn't done surf launches before and what to watch for... well basically how its done is what Im getting at.  Ive stood on the beach at ocean shore and looked out and seen the breakers and they look huge and those of you who Ive read who dare to go out there my question is how did you do it the first time and what was it like?  What kind of gear would you recommend in terms of clothing etc.  So far Ive only paddled around in the sound and the hairiest situation ive been in was almost getting swept into the narrows rip on an incoming tide, and in terms of roughness would be a toss up with the 1.5ft chop on the sound or the 2ft chop on lake washing machine.  Don't know if Ill ever be brave enough to venture out off the coast but never hurts to ask and learn something new right 

Everybody's different but however you get there, being on the ocean in a kayak is a lot of fun.  Around here I would say that the easiest ocean launch would be Depoe Bay.  There is no surf zone to worry about, just the local conditions.  Stuff to pay attention to would be swell size and interval, wind speed and direction, temperature, and other boat traffic to name a few.  Read the story on our home page written by Ron aka Pelagic Paddler about how to decide if it a go or no go day.

Surf launches include playing in the surf zone, both going out and coming in.  That's where you find out if you have a sense of adventure and if you really want to do this or not.  Some folks have used chest waders with a belt, but I'd prefer a wet suit as a minimum.  Plan on getting wet so water temperature (hypothermia) is important to consider.  A dry suit really is nice.  Figure the more comfortable you are the longer you can stay out.

This is really just some basic stuff.  Try to hook up with somebody for a couple of trips and you'll get the feel for it.  One last suggestion would be a working VHF marine radio.  That way you can call the Coast Guard if you need too.  Consider participating in the Oregon Rockfish Classic we have every July.  Lot's of kayaks on the ocean, out of Depoe Bay.  As long as conditions are right the ocean is a pretty cool ride.  Have fun -

Alan 

If you are afraid of a surf launching better not do it.   I'd suggest lots of practice without your fishing gear aboard and get a good helmet.   If you do try it without practice,  make sure all your gear is attached to the boat with leashes.  If you turn over you'll probably snap your rods off but at least you'll still have the reels.

Lots of good info on this site about what to wear in the ocean, etc. Most of us favor drysuits if that is an option. Waders with a belt and dry top is another option, as are wetsuits.

I didn't have any experience with surf launches when I started. So I read what I could, made sure I was comfortable in my kayak, and picked a calm day. I find going out is fairly easy: just keep your bow pointed square to the wave, try not to hit it at its peak, and paddle/kick hard.

Coming back in can be challenging. The suggestion to practice with nothing on the boat is a good one. I suggest also learning how to read the wave sets and so that you can time your blitz towards shore.

IMHO the most important thing is picking a launch-friendly beach so that you're not going through set after set of big breakers.

So, as mentioned Depoe Bay is a possibility and there is no surf zone there, but you must be aware of the ocean conditions. Another factor there is that there is a lot of boat traffic and a VHF is a must.

Sunset Bay, near Coos Bay, is the easiest launch in Oregon, in my estimation. You put your kayak in on a sandy beach with zero surf, get comfortable, and paddle out into the ocean, with no competition from power boats and no surf.

I'm sure you've noticed lots of us launch from Pacific City. The cape there provides protection from some of the swell and wind. On a good day it's very, very easy to launch there. Be aware of the dory boat traffic and wait your turn. Get in and out of the surf zone quickly.

Hope this helps. Post pictures!

Ravdakot and I both did a lot of surf launches at Ocean shores this past year.  I grew up surfing and don't really have a fear of surf.  From a learning standpoint, I'd recommend a calm day, a helmet, and a completely empty boat.  Just go out there and play around til you're comfortable.  Never get between your kayak and dry land.  Also, waders and dry top are not a good idea for surf launching unless the ocean is nearly flat and you can pretty much walk past the breakers to launch.

reality is, you can get completely tossed by a wave, and unless you hit your head, get nailed by your own gear, or caught in a rip, you'll be fine.

I am no expert in surf launching, with a total of one success out of five attempts, but I will echo the others advice to try it without any extra crap to worry about...  I've done plenty of kayaking here in the Sound, but that surf was a whole different ball game.  My one time was down in San Diego, at La Jolla Cove in a rental boat.  I was glad for a wetsuit even there, and it was a bit of a surprise at how challenging it was to get  out...  My biggest problem was keeping the bow straight and perpendicular to the waves.  Darn things rolled me over four times and dumped me off, after a rest on dry sand I was able to make it thru on run #5.  So from one absolute beginner to another, pick one of the spots these guys recommend, dress to get wet, plan on getting wet, don't plan on doing anything else, and anticipate it'll be hard work for at least the first few tries... 
Oh, and on my one return to the beach, I had been given the advice to lean back, keep straight, and enjoy... I caught a good wave and rode it all the way in to ankle depth - what a blast!

Jim

More people die in the surf than from shark attacks every year!

 Redfish85,

 You have been given a lot of good advice about launching in the surf. Seeing as how you live in Kent,Wa. you are probably looking for someplace closer to home than Sunset Bay. Have you ever been out to Westhaven State Park in Westport ? There are times at Half Moon Bay there when there is little or no surf to contend with. The chamber of commerce has a web cam that pans the area so you can see what conditions are like. Here is a link-------http://www.westportcam.com/
 That might be one option you could try. I am sure there are other spots on the Straight that you could put in with minimal surf .
 Regardless of funngunnin's comment about people dying in the surf... take your time, do your homework (research) prior to going out, and make it happen. Sometimes you have to push your comfort zone -- how else are you going to grow and learn ? Fishing saltwater opens up so much more real estate--- you really should give it a try.

More people have died of car crashes then in the surf, but don't give up driving.

I haven't launched into the surf yet - all my partners keep wussing out on me - but I've studied folks learning to launch.  What strikes me as the best thing some of them do is to launch, turn around and hit the beach, then do it several more times.  They weren't worried about going out, they were just practicing launches and landings.

I seldom see them wearing helmets and I don't get it.  Old motorcycling saying was "What do you call a rider who's not wearing a helmet?" An organ donor.  Same-same.  Wear a helmet.

I think I'm ready to try surf launching this year - not sure when, since I'm a total weather weenie and will wait for very calm conditions.  I've watched people cross the surf in their kayaks, been in the waves up close and personal and not afraid of the surf...just don't know if i can control my wily boat and stay right side up.  Practice is eminent, but I want a calm day even for practice!

Practice, practice, practice. We mostly don't launch in conditions over 6' so don't feel you need to tackle that. (If you do, call Funginnin. ) Study the surf brace technique and when the surf is in-between 1'-3' get out there and have fun!

I seldom see them wearing helmets and I don't get it.  Old motorcycling saying was "What do you call a rider who's not wearing a helmet?" An organ donor.  Same-same.  Wear a helmet.

I'm not saying "don't wear a helmet", but given that I launch on sandy beaches I don't see the point. Do you see surfers wearing helmets? I don't think there is an equivalency between crashing a motorcycle at 60mph on asphalt and rolling a kayak in the surf on a sandy beach.

I seldom see them wearing helmets and I don't get it.  Old motorcycling saying was "What do you call a rider who's not wearing a helmet?" An organ donor.  Same-same.  Wear a helmet.

I'm not saying "don't wear a helmet", but given that I launch on sandy beaches I don't see the point. Do you see surfers wearing helmets? I don't think there is an equivalency between crashing a motorcycle at 60mph on asphalt and rolling a kayak in the surf on a sandy beach.

It isn't the sandy beach that will give you a concussion or worse when you wipe out in the surf, it's that 90+ lb piece of hard plastic and other stuff you're sitting on that is thrown at your head when you are trying to stand up in the white wash that will. 
If I'm in surf bigger than knee high, I'm wearing it. I see plenty of kayak surfers who wear helmets.

Do you see surfers wearing helmets?

I get you. I surf a bunch and have had my head knocked by my board a few times but not worth putting on a helmet over. But a kayak has a lot more mass than a surfboard. I know a few people who have gotten clocked in the head by their yaks and been nearly knocked out. I haven't worn a helmet to this point but I'm looking into using an old skateboard helmet.