In a message dated 11/11/1998 11:52:43 PM EST, gstamer_at_magicnet.net writes: << At 11:04 PM 11/10/98 -0500, Scott Ives wrote: >> Now a question for you all. I have paddled through the surf when it >is relatively light on numerous occasions. However, I have a real fear >of either going out, or coming in through big breakers. Am I the only >one with this fear? My fear is that a wave will send me end over end, >and my spine will snap like a twig. Don't laugh, I met a 30 year old >guy confined to a wheelchair for life for this very reasons. Do you >guys ever think about this problem? A sit upon wouldn't bother me. I >can handle the surf, I just want to make sure I can fall off in a hurry! Scott, I have been slammed back onto the rear deck more than once and will not use any kayak in the surf that impedes my ability to lay back on the rear deck. This includes high volume designs where the rear cockpit coaming hits high on my back, high seatbacks and gear on the back deck. It also rules out carrying a "bail-out" waist pack. With proper technique, "getting slammed" should be quite rare. In my case it has always been from getting tired or lazy and having a large wave break on my chest. Generally you can time your passage through the surf zone to avoid this. If not, you can capsize and let your hull take the beating or become a needle and adopt a forward tuck position (kiss the deck) with the paddle held close to one side of the boat. This is an unstable position but with practice you can tuck and untuck very quickly and literally shed quite powerful waves. When capsized I instinctively tuck forward and hold the paddle tightly against the hull. There can be some strong turbulence at first and you don't want to lose the paddle. Novices to the surf zone often try to roll up too quickly. Assuming you have enough air in your lungs, it is usually best to "hang out" for a few moments for the turbulence to subside and then roll up. There are always exceptions though. Sometimes you can roll back up immediately by a slight pressure on the paddle depending on the conditions. This is a difficult skill to describe, with practice you will simply know the correct sensations that will either favor a roll or require some wait time. A sit-on-top is not a panacea in the surf. Most instances where you are forcefully slammed against the kayak deck happen much to quickly to bail out beforehand. If you do manage to "eject" keep in mind that while you are in the salt water "wash-cycle" your kayak is tumbling right in there beside you. Greg Stamer Orlando, Florida >> Frst, I know very little about big waves and sea kayaks. I recently watched Maliquai (sp?) the Greenland Kayak Champion at age 16 demonstrate Greenland Kayak Techniques in his seal skin Kayak at the Southwestern Canoe Rendevous near Houston, Texas. He demonstrated over 30 different rolls or variations of the roll. Some were absolutely amazing. One I particularly remember was he layed over against the water, hull parallel and toward the oncomming wave. (well, not actually because there are no waves in Lake Raven at Huntsville State Park) but the idea was to lay over and let the wave crash over you instead of into you., thereby saving both you and the boat. Does this help in the discussion going on? Does it make sence? I don't know enough to pass judgement. John LeBlanc *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Nov 11 1998 - 21:53:48 PST
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