[Paddlewise] Perfect Face Plant!

Paddlewisers,

One of the aspects of surf kayaking that I enjoy is watching others get 
thrashed.  Of course, when I am out there, I am fair game and occasionally 
take a thrashing too.

Anyhow, Joe Kramp and I were surf kayaking at San Onofre today.  The surf was 
small, so there wasn't any thrashing to be seen, or so I thought.  After a 
couple of hours of surfing, Joe and I were back on the beach, and as if he 
knew something was going to happen, he told me to watch this guy land his 
whitewater (more specifically, rodeo) kayak.

Although the main break was about 150 yards off the beach, there was also a 
beach break, which was running about 3 feet today.  This guy paddled straight 
toward the beach and was picked up by a beach break.  As you would expect 
when you point a kayak straight down a steep beach break, the bow of his 
kayak plowed under the water and the stern was lifted by the wave.  Of 
course, this guy leaned back onto his back deck, but by then he was to the 
point of no return.

This was going to be one of those thrashings, especially since the water in 
front of him was only 6 inches deep, and to make matters worse, the guy 
wasn't wearing a helmet.  With the tide where it was at, the beach was sandy 
with a 4 inch rock every few feet.  I really thought this guy was going to 
get hurt.

Anyhow, the face plant was the most beautifully executed one I ever saw, 
albeit accidental.  Fortunately, the guy didn't get hurt or even bail out.  
He rolled in a few inches of water and came on in just fine.  With everything 
being OK, Joe and I couldn't help but laugh for about 5 minutes.

That face plant made my day!

Duane Strosaker
Sea Kayaking in Southern California
with an Attitude for Adventure!
 <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/pirateseakayaker/index.html">Pirate Sea 
Kayaker</A> 
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