Re: [Paddlewise] Outside vs. Inside Edge for Turning in Surf

Duane wrote: How do you edge turn your sea kayak in surf or tide rips?



I come from a background of whitewater paddling but started life as a
sprint racer, then marathon racer, then slalom racer, now sea kayaker. 
I learned in a whitewater boat (old school 4 meter boats then the
'shorter' boats - my shortest being really long by today's standards)
and found that edging outside, the way we do it in sea kayaks, worked
perfectly when surfing a glassy river wave.  I often threw away my
paddle and did nice zigs and zags on the waves using only outside
edging, and an occasional hand, to steer.

When I started sea kayaking (in a Romany) I found that edging on a
glassy wave, which are few and far between here in Lake Michigan, the
same edging to the outside of the turn worked really well.  I can still,
just as in a slalom boat, lift the paddle up and steer on the wave.  At
least until the boat gets too far out of line and broaches.

I seem to surf pretty well using the outside edging and, therefore,
strongly agree with Duane that this is the technique that works best. 
Carving, edging to the inside, does work pretty well, but I feel that it
it works because I'm loading the blade so much by leaning on it.

Edging out and ruddering in is an exercise in flexibility and balance,
but works better than edging in and ruddering in.

In my view.

Jim Tibensky
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