Alternate surf launch styles

I have seen guys that land backwards when it's ugly. The idea being you can charge big sets then continue in reverse after the wave. It results in some spectacular backward surfing wrecks. The very best. 

I have seen guys that land backwards when it's ugly. The idea being you can charge big sets then continue in reverse after the wave. It results in some spectacular backward surfing wrecks. The very best. 

Most of my landing on the bigger days are usually done stearn first and it does work when done correctly.The trick is that when you get pushed back by a set, you use your paddle to steer your bow straight all the way in. I've done it enough and only failed a couple times because I did not steer enough or didn't get off the kayak soon enough.

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.

I do the opposite. Once it's shallow enough (usually in knee high water), I jump out on one side and simply pull the kayak past me until I get hold of the rear carrying handle and then I guide the yak in the shoreline. If the waves are really big, I won't even grab the rear carrying handle and simply let the kayak beach itself. I do this so I dont get in between the shoreline and the kayak and turn into a bowling pin.

I prefer the butt-scoot launch.
20-30 beach launches per year for the last 5 years and haven't crashed yet! _{(yes, I know I just jinxed myself)}

Pat

The technique does work but there are 2 problems with the butt-scoot technique...
1. The technique lengthens the surf zone that you have to paddle through. When you wade out and jump on, you have a shorter distance to clear the waves.
2. The technique looks like a toddler on a tricycle who doesn't know how to peddle so you lose some style points. Especially from any surfers who may be watching.

Butt-scooting reminds you of health care reform. You start out with a good idea but you don't know how to get it done so you inch your way in then a big wave pushes you back up the beach. 

Sorry, Scott

I should've clarified, never crashed while doin the butt scoot boogie. But I've bailed a few times using other methods...tho the B-S-B probably wouldn't have helped those days either haha. 

I just wade mid leg any further and well you start getting some shrinking going on somewhere that you don't want it.

I don't think I will ever swim my yak out past the surf doesn't sound reasonable. IMHO

as far as coming in never had a problem learned how to brace from a video by Jim and as long as you don't over brace your fine if u do well your screwed its a balancing act that well I'm not gonna say I'm even decent.

B-S-B method i only use in cambria and that's cause you have such a small break on big days there i cant get it done.

What is want to see is a group of 30 kayakers all using the b-s-b method at on a beach... Can u imagine. it would be like baby turtles trying to return to sea, some making it out other getting washed back onto the sand. 

An alternative launch/land technique is having somebody pushing you in and hauling you out who can avoid getting knocked ass over teakettle in the process.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,20072.0.html

Lots of good advice here as usual.
My observations show that those who have a tough time in surf are those that stop paddling.

When launching, I go in about knee deep, wait for a good set, throw my leg over and paddle like hell. If you don't get momentum going the next wave will push you back and a tumble is not far behind. Go like hell and get over the wave.

Coming in, the same thing, those that dawdle, get a wave push, if you paddle as fast as you can, you will end up on top of the wave, landing on beach and the water goes away leaving you high and dry. Paddle hard!

I also don't come in on the smallest wave of a set, because the one following is bigger and will flip you when you hit the beach, ride the big one in and you are left high and dry.

Bottom line... paddle hard, go like hell, we'll sort out the bodies and tackle afterwards

stoggie

.... paddle like hell

...exactly the words used by my kayak guru Bo Barnes on my first ever "real", no jokin', high surf, land-or-get-pummeled style surf landing at (I believe it was called ) Drake's Estero Estero San Antonio back in 1997 or so. I hear him yelling "Paddle like hell" almost every time I'm facing an interesting landing.
That day we launched SIK's to whale watch & the surf jacked up to 8ft faces while we were out. We had multiple Amaruk double kayaks in our group, a few singles, and me & my paddling buddy in large whitewater boats.
There was MAJOR carnage

I've landed a little zodiac with a rope (me on shore).  Just tie the rope to the bow of the boat and let the rope drift in with the surf.  Then when you get a good set run up the shore with the rope to pull the boat in.  It's particularly helpful about not getting sucked into the next wave by the backwash.  I think I did the same thing in the other direction with my kayak to launch it too.

Once at sea I got towed to the fishing hole with the same rope behind the zodiac.  Pretty luxurious, though I felt oddly like a tuna plug....

Bottom line... paddle hard, go like hell, we'll sort out the bodies and tackle afterwards

stoggie

Agree, but... you can have good speed and commitment but if you don't hit the wave square on the way out (90 degrees to the face) the wave will catch the bow and turn and flip you. This happened to me last year on a big mixed swell day.

Scott

 The most important thing you can do to launch and exit is to watch and learn the timing of the sets. Expierience is the best teacher.Methods vary depending on your particular craft, ocean conditions and your abilities.