Re: [Paddlewise] An introduction

   Welcome to the list, Mark. In regard to landing your boat backwards in the 
surf - not a really great idea. First of all, most people have more 
difficulty controlling a kayak going backwards then they do with one going 
forwards. I suspect this is mostly because we don't usually practice going 
backwards enough to get really proficient at it. But also because the boat 
seems to react much more quickly to direction changes going backwards then 
forward. I couldn't tell you why that is, but perhaps the people on this list 
who know a whole lot more about boat design then I do could.
   Next, as you say, when you come in backwards you have your higher volume 
end of the boat, the bow, towards the waves, This of course means that your 
lower volume end is heading into the beach. This will make you more prone to 
a rear ender. That is while the boat is sliding backwards towards the beach 
on a wave, your high volume end, the bow, will be lifting up on the wave 
which will in turn be lowering your lower volume end, the stern, into the 
water. If the end of the stern dips under the water in the process then it 
will "stick" in the water and your boat will go vertical on the wave and 
possibly over backwards. This can be dangerous in shallow water, and just a 
little scary!
   You mention the paddle position while coming in backwards. If you are 
holding the paddle high in the paddling position when a wave hits you then 
the force of the water can push against your paddle blades and force the 
paddle shaft back into your face. Needless to say that this is not a good 
thing either.
   I'm sure that there are probably several other reasons why landing 
backwards in the surf is not a really great idea, but I think I have at least 
hit the highlights. I would recommend that you stick to landing facing 
forward, or coming in sideways, and get really good at that. 

Scott
So.Cal.

***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************