[Paddlewise] X-mas Eve in the Surf

Paddlewisers,

Things have been a little slow lately, so I thought I'd let you know what's 
going on in So Cal.  I almost did a post last weekend about sweating while 
paddling in a T-shirt while at the same time most of the nation was freezing, 
but I thought I'd spare most of you.  Anyhow, with a forecast of 4-6 foot 
surf, today was a surf day.

Scott joined me in the surf today, and being that we trust each other to be 
able to control our boats (WW), we shared some waves.  On one 6 foot face we 
shared, he had the inside, and I was laughing as I watched him get buried in 
whitewash, pop back out, and continue riding.

After a couple of hours, we went in, and I saw a couple (man and woman) 
getting ready to launch sea kayaks.  Always happy to see sea kayakers who 
have the guts to go in the surf, I went over and talked to them.  The were 
from Wisconsin or somewhere right around there.  They mentioned being in the 
surf before and didn't ask for any advice, so I didn't give any.  I just 
welcomed them to California.

Like vultures, Scott and I, and a couple other friends, Joe and Tom, watched 
for carnage.  The main surf was 1/4 mile out, but with the high tide, there 
was some nasty stuff right on the beach too.  We knew trouble was coming with 
they hopped in their kayaks and launched without attaching their sprayskirts. 
 Also, they launched side by side, so close they could've been holding hands. 
 Ten feet out, the woman got hit by a wave that turned her sideways and 
tossed her back at the beach.  She collided with the man, and both of them 
were dumped out of the boats.  Us vultures were fed.

They got themselves back together, and with some good luck, the woman was 
able to launch without attaching her sprayskirt.  The man got turned sideways 
by a wave while he was still on the sand, and then he got out and just stood 
there for a while and watched the waves.  After about 5 minutes, I went over 
to help him.  I had him get his sprayskirt on first, and then I showed him 
how to scoot down the sand and into the water with his hand and paddle.  As 
he floated, I turned him straight and gave him a shove.

The two found an area where the waves weren't breaking and played in the 
swells there without incident until I left.  It looked like they were having 
fun.  I would've liked to watch them land, but I needed to get back home to 
work on the kayak I am building.

Duane
Carnage Vulture

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