Re: [Paddlewise] surf landings

At 10:29 AM 8/12/98 -0600, you wrote:
>"Driving" my Falcon 18, my problem in the surf exists when the waves are
>much over four feet; i.e. 5 feet.   I watch the video of Kent Ford
>(Performance Kayaking?) where he demonstrates backpaddling up the wave
>while facing the beach... while surfing in.

I havent seen that, but I'd like to.

>
>If I get in a steep breaking wave, while surfing in, say a five foot wave,
>my bow will plunge and I will loop (pitchpol).

I havent yet looped, but I've come reeeeaaal close! When my bow starts to
bury I lay flat on the back deck and so far thats raised the bow for me. If
I sense the wave is that steep, I usually back off, backpaddle and lay flat
on my back ASAP. So far, Ive been lucky. Actually, I find myself surfing
(forward) with a backward lean anyway, since it keeps my center of gravity
lower and it puts me in a good position for a reverse roll, which is my
preferred roll. 

  If I try to angle down the
>wave by using stern rudder, on such a steep wave, it immediately broaches
>me if my angle is as little as 10 or 15 degress off perpendicular from the
>wave.

I sometimes have luck by stern ruddering AND leaning hard to the opposite
side. It doesnt always work and its an uncomfortable maneuver, and if your
paddle comes out of the water you're in the soup because you are leaning
against the purchase of the paddle on the other side. I usually surf with
my skeg down and that really helps. Before I started using the skeg I would
broach regularly, and even people much more experienced than I cant keep
from broaching without a skeg.

>
>The best bet for me, seems to be to keep out of the area where the wave
>actually breaks.  ONce it breaks, it is easier to ride.  Either
>perpendicular to wave action in an entry or exit, or as a broach and brace.
>
>I would welcome further discussion of Surf techniques when the waves are
>greater then 4 or 5 feet.

I welcome any discussion of any surf! Epecially with the fall gale season
approaching. I'm certainly no expert at surfing although I've gone from
being terrified to addicted in the last 3 years. 


Wayne


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