RE: [Paddlewise] Kayak clinic

From: PeterO <rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au>
Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 22:43:32 +1100
Mary Zuschlag wrote: -
>They teach you to back paddle on a crest
>of a wave and come in on the trough. That
>method is extremely exhausting, I was wonder
>what you folks do in the surf seems like
>I see lots of folks side surfing in.
>Any suggestions or thoughts...


G'Day and congratulations on the practice session Mary, sounded great.

Re landing through surf, I'm no expert but the method you described seems
safest to me, for a beach with unknown obstacles including the possibility
of swimmers that the kayaker may not be aware of. Although the other surfing
skills are very worthwhile.

A bit surprised you found the method exhausting. For me sidesurfing takes
the most effort, although its fun. I'm starting to learn that side surfing a
sea kayak makes it hard/impossible to control where you might land. And if
there are rocks, or worse still a swimmer in the way - disaster!!

Regular surfing seems a bit safer than side surfing. Though I would never do
this if there were any possibility of swimmers around. It may be more
controllable but often finishes in a side surf. Depending on the size of the
wave it may be possible to go back out again over the wave immediately after
broaching and avoid the risk of hitting a rock.

Some people advocate coming in backwards through the surf but I've seen this
turn into backward surfing and although a legitimate skill it seems
foolhardy on a beach with unknown obstacles or the possibility of swimmers.

A few of my kayak surfing mates have their fibreglass boats in a 'jigsaw'
configuration through ambitious and enthusiastic surfing. I admire their
courage, if not their bank balance, but would prefer to use a plastic boat
for that kind of thing:~)

All the best, PeterO


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Received on Tue Mar 18 2003 - 03:44:22 PST

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