> > > > Thank you, Joan Spinner. I was one of those "intermediate" paddlers that > made a mistake in timing and dumped in the low surf. We had observed the > sets and timing. When the timing seemed right we paddled. From our low > perspective we did not see the second and third waves which were not > consistent with our observations. I ploughed through the first and the > second. I paddle a Cobra Expedition SOT which is not a good surf boat. It > does not self bale but has a venturi to empty while moving. Needless to say > the cockpit filled with water and it was not maneuverable. After the second > wave I just got off to empty it and the 3rd wave hit and took it back to > shore. I let it go rather than risk losing my shoulder holding it. > I don't mind being laughed at as I laughed at my own foolishness for not > being more cautious in this small surf. I do mind having my total > competence as a paddler questioned on a error in judgement. My regular > paddle partner and I have launched, paddled and landed in 11-12 foot surf > without problem. We do paddle long distances at a good pace without problem > and maneuver in and out of caves, etc. > Some of us continued on that day and played in and around the rocks and surf > in Smugglers Cove without problem. Let's look at the totality of the day's > paddle rather than a harmless error in judgement. We both learned something > that day and I am sure we will both never take a small surf for granted > again. > All in all it was great paddle. Those of us who continued on paddled twice > as far as we anticipated, it was great weather, great scenery and great > company plus some good laughs at ourselves. > Mike Brown > > > > ----- End Included Message ----- > > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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