Alternate surf launch styles

I am curious, I have been reading about and watching Youtube videos on how to surf launch and was wondering, does anyone ever swim their boat out past the breakers and then get in. I know that I have seen divers in zodiaks do this when beach launching, and obviously surfers won't mount the board until they are deep enough where they can no longer walk. I ask because I have been practising dismounting and mounting in deeper water and find it rather easy to get back onto the kayak, but am a little apprehensive about trying to get through breaking waves (have never tried). It would seem that you get wet either way. Was wondering if I am missing something.

Thanks.

Why jump out and swim it in?. The worst that can happen if you crash is you will jump out and swim it in. Take a surf class and learn to time your launches and landings. It's a skill like anything. It also helps to go with someone experienced with surf launching to shorten the learning curve. 

What he said. 

IMO, a class is well worth the small investment. In fact, Aaron at MBK just posted class dates for this year:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,22962.0.html

Do a search or ask around if you're interested in finding other instructors as well.

yep take a class and practice. One of the cardinal rules is KEEP PADDLING once you get in your boat. I've seen many ppl paddle for just a few moments thinking they are clear. You don't realize the swell is pushing you back...Keep stroking.

I know a few guys who will get in the water holding onto their kayaks via a bowline and come in behind their yak on a high surf landing.  The idea is that in big surf, you dont want to get pounded at the end, so you act as a sea anchor.

I have never done this and would think its for emergency use only.

If the surf is small enough to be able to swim your boat past the breakers than you could just as easily paddle out. If the surf is big enough to make paddling out difficult than you will never be able to swim you boat out.

The surf zone can be a alot of fun and also very intimidating. Have fun and don't push your limits too fast. Definitely practice launches and landings without your fishing gear.


-Eliot

Cool, thanks for the advise regarding classes. I plan on fishing Monterey a few times so I'll get in touch with MBK regarding classes. In reality, like all things, it probably isn't as bad as the clips on Youtube make it out to be and they are probably the 5% of the failed launches and not the 95% of the humdrum successful ones. My biggest fear seems to be centered around damaging gear, sand in reels, broken/lost rods... The Bean Hollow launch/wipe-out video looked pretty crazy though.

It happens to the best believe me. Being prepared and having some experience is way helpful. Then again there just might be those times when you are going to eat it. Enjoy the ride.

My biggest fear seems to be centered around damaging gear, sand in reels, broken/lost rods... The Bean Hollow launch/wipe-out video looked pretty crazy though.

Store your rods inside the hull for launch and landings. Put them in a tube or something to keep them from bouncing around. VHF, reels, GPS and camera in a dry bag for launch and landings. Aaron covers rigging also in the MBK safety class. It only takes about 10 minutes to store everything for a "wet landing". For technical launches and landings like pocket/slot launches and steep shore breaks, teamwork really helps. Having an experienced buddy to give you a push and help you with the timing coming in can be very helpful. I wear a helmet although nobody else in NCKA does. But as my friends say, if there is a big wave to come through, I will find it.  Actually only had one minor wipeout last year and it was on a big surf day at Garapata.

If the surf is small enough to be able to swim your boat past the breakers than you could just as easily paddle out.

I totally disagree here.
I have swam my yak thru breakers I could not paddle through. The break was just too steep.
One time in particular was an extremely rough day at Van Damme. I got pounded 5 times trying to paddle thru. I finally waded out as far as I could, took a break, then pushed my yak as far as I could and swam to it just past the next break. It didn't take me long to realize why I was the only person OTW.
I have even gone so far as to do this and surf board paddle my yak until it was safe to sit up and grab my paddle.
You should be proficient in all methods. Take a class and use whatever the conditions deem necessary.
One HUGE mistake a lot of people make when coming in is that they dilly dally. Get off that yak ASAP, grab a bowlinw, handle or whatever and bolt to shore. You can take your time doing whatever you need to do once safely on the beach.

yup, most important to NOT follow greatbass 2 (scott) as he seems to find the largest set of the day 

I am curious...does anyone ever swim their boat out past the breakers and then get in.

how good a swimmer are you?  would you plan on swimming w or w/o your PFD?  Fins or no fins?  Goggles?

I'm a swimmer, and I'd rather paddle and punch through sets than swim out, eggbeat, and try to drag my boat out.  As comfortable as I am swimming open water, I could see myself getting tired doing that.  Plus, you'll be soaking wet from head to toe after immersion.  That makes a big difference in your comfort level and raises hypothermia concerns.  If you are using a hobie, being wet is a guaranteed way to be afflicted with dreaded IAS (Itchy Ass Syndrome).

Even during the biggest surf launches, there is only a chance that you will get wet and cold, but its not guaranteed.  If you swim for it, your gonna for sure be wet and cold.  I can tolerate cold with the best of em, but I'd prefer not to swim my boat out. 

Finally, if you are talking about sets that you could swim through, then those are the same kind of sets that you could paddle through.

Hey, I know! Ask Allen. He swims out to retrieve his kayak after it floats off the beach.

I am curious...does anyone ever swim their boat out past the breakers and then get in.

how good a swimmer are you?  would you plan on swimming w or w/o your PFD?  Fins or no fins?  Goggles?

I'm a swimmer, and I'd rather paddle and punch through sets than swim out, eggbeat, and try to drag my boat out.  As comfortable as I am swimming open water, I could see myself getting tired doing that.  Plus, you'll be soaking wet from head to toe after immersion.  That makes a big difference in your comfort level and raises hypothermia concerns.  If you are using a hobie, being wet is a guaranteed way to be afflicted with dreaded IAS (Itchy Ass Syndrome).
Even during the biggest surf launches, there is only a chance that you will get wet and cold, but its not guaranteed.  If you swim for it, your gonna for sure be wet and cold.  I can tolerate cold with the best of em, but I'd prefer not to swim my boat out. 
Finally, if you are talking about sets that you could swim through, then those are the same kind of sets that you could paddle through.

With this in mind I guess ab diving from a kayak would be out of the question.
Seriously, don't you think if someone was going to swim their kayak out they would be dressed to do so?
I guess we differ in opinions because I speak from experience where as yours is merely speculation.

I have fished and dove off of a kayak for over 35 years. If its nice and sunny I will dive first. If its windy and cold and overcast I will fish first. Let me tell you there have been many times I didnt want to dive after sitting in the cold all day fishing. I would never swim my kayak out first then get on to fish. It doesnt make sense to be cold and wet given the conditions. I have pushed my Zodiac out past the small waves before but that was to start the engine. Hopefully I can chose when I am going to get wet.