Surf
Entries and Exits by
Jay Babina
Entering and exiting the surf area can be a
dangerous even in less than 3 ft seas. Most paddlers are able to land through
surf, even if its a clumsy capsize in the sand as the water leaves you laying
there looking embarrassed and helpless.
Contrary to perception , the surf entree is where the greatest danger for the
unaware paddler lies. Most paddlers push off in several inches of water and charge
through the surf to get to the safety zone that lies just behind the breaking
waves. The real danger is in what you do with you paddle as the breaking wave
comes crashing against you. If you have done this before, you know that even
a three ft. wave has an enormous amount of power as it hits you. The major mistake
that beginner paddlers make is picking the paddle up, presumingly to avoid the
wave. In this position, the wave can smash the paddle into your face, neck or
chest and actually shove your entire torso back violently, injuring your lower
back if you’re prone to back injuries. It can also knock the breath right
out of you.
Entries
Before you launch, scan the beach for the smallest surf area allowing for the
easiest entree. No sense in assuming that you have to enter where you exited
- that particular area might have changed into the steepest surf while you had
lunch. A three ft. wave looks mighty menacing when you’re sitting in your
boat and looking up at a wall of water coming straight at you.
As you paddle forward and approach the breaking surf area, you want to assume
the kayak roll set-up position as the wave is just in front your boat. Basically,
you lean your head forward and down towards the deck with the paddle held tightly
along side the boat. If you’re right handed, hold it along the left side
of the boat. Either side is OK, but you might as well do it the way you’ll
learn to roll from. You won’t capsize (nobody ever does) and you’ll
find that the wave will break right over you with very little force on your body.
At that point, resume your paddling position and paddle hard to the safety zone
just beyond the breaking waves. You’ll only have to go through
one breaking wave to get out. Make sure you enter straight into the
waves. Entering from an
angle will only make you broach or capsize.
Landing
Generally most beginners luck out with surf landings and seem to come sliding
up on the beach with not too much fuss. As you approach your landing spot or
the area of smallest surf, you want to come in behind the wave. As you get to
the point where the waves are breaking, back-paddle so the wave doesn’t
pick you up and give you your first unexpected surf ride into the sand. As the
wave is breaking in front of your kayak, you paddle in right behind it. As the
water is pulled right out from under the kayak, you’ll be left there on
the sand. Immediately jump out of the kayak and drag your boat up the beach before
the next wave comes in and crashes on your open cockpit and fills the boat with
two hundred pounds of water and sand. This can happen and you be left there with
a boat that you can’t move. Trying to drain a boat while the surf is constantly
pounding you is a real chore to say the least. If this happens, it’s
best that a few paddlers gang up and drag it up away from the surf
and drain it.
During our warm weather months, it’s great fun to practice and play in
the surf. Sea kayaks are not good surf boats because of their length, but in
2 1/2 ft. type of surf you can have a lot of fun getting occasional rides. You
can also paddle right below the surf area if it’s not too big and let the
waves crash over you as you brace into them. Playing along a sandy beach with
small surf will teach you a lot about how your kayak will react to these conditions
and will better prepare you for the time when you really need to land in conditions
that would normally be challenging. Playing in your kayak like this is one of
the best ways to become a better paddler and... you’re doing exactly what
you’re supposed to be doing - having fun!
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