Re: [Paddlewise] Fw: intermediate paddlers

    I am a bit surprised at what a big deal is being made about about 
getting dumped in the surf and how one is considered a poor paddler if it 
happens. The ocean is the only place I have paddled for the last year 
(Carolina Beach). If you look at the designs for kayaks designed only for 
the surf, there is a very big difference between them and the "typical" sea 
kayak design. Unless you only launch in calm conditions sooner or later you 
will get dumped regardless of skill. I have been amazed at being able to get 
through heavy surf without dumping and equally amazed at getting dumped in 
the small stuff. Sometimes it is harder to get through small surf with 
strong currents from the side when waves hit you from two different angles 
than it is to punch through big stuff from only one angle. There are so many 
variables that luck will always have a role in a successful surf launch.
    For all of you paddlers who have never been dumped in the surf you are 
missing out on some other valuable points. Think that anything you have 
attached to your kayak or self is really secure? Unless you get dumped in 
surf you may be wrong. It is better to lose that spare paddle you have in 
the surf where you don't need it than to lose it ten miles away from shore 
when you do. If it is secure enough to survive the surf, it will survive any 
mishap on open water. This same lesson goes for the "Do you really think 
something is waterproof?" question. Getting churned around in the surf is a 
very brutal test of equipment security and waterproofness.
    The ocean is a very wonderful place to paddle but can be very 
unforgiving of mistakes. Lessons learned in the surf can better prepare you 
for mishaps on open water. I have often thought that the surf was nature's 
"rite of passage" to be allowed to paddle on the open ocean. Many times it 
is far harder to get through the surf than it is to handle the ocean 
conditions that are beyond it. Paddling in 5 foot seas is much easier than 
trying to get through 5 foot surf.

Paddle on,  Vincent



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