Backwards in the surf - video

Met a kayaker named Fred out at Linda Mar, who says that he dunks in the surf everytime unless he paddles in backwards. This is the only vid that I could find on YouTube demostrating that technique.

They may start out backwards; but, they still end up sideways surfing in.  I think that I would rather see where I'm going and then end up sideways surfing in!!!!

cool vid..  The one I saw (and cant seem to find again)  was a guy actually using the technique to land in surf.  He just turned around and started slowly reverse paddling toward the beach, then every time a wave got to him, he paddled forward through it a few strokes.    It was slow progress but he made it.

Martianfish, I'm on the same page as you. I want to see where I'm going traveling forward...not backwards!

I guess if you are just playing in the surf, it could be fun. If you are trying to pass through surf with hundreds of dollars worth of gear, i strongly reccomend learning to do it forwards. Thanks for the video Deblazer.

That was cool, thanks DaBlazer-but I am with K-Jack on this . . . below is a video from Jim Sammons where he talks a client in to shore, the break is a non-issue but the information is good. Only problem is some of the places I launch/land are very narrow, if I go sideways, I may bronco a rock!

When coming in at Muir one day I paddled backwards facing forward and the rear of the kayak went up the wave then I sat right on top one stroke forward and I was on top the rest of the way in. It was perfect! Then again I rolled in a 2 footer at Linda mar.  Trying to surf a 16 foot kayak DOH!

Though I have heard it before, I had not seen this in action at all until this past Sunday.  Sara and I were at Zmudowski beach and it was blowing pretty hard out there while we tried to catch some perch, with white caps all around.  Then I spot two kayakers coming in!  They both inched up to the surf zone and turned around and back paddled to the shore only to forward paddle into each wave as they washed over their bow.  The first guy ended up getting spun back around facing the beach kinda like in this video.  But the second guy seemed more patient, without rushing it, backed his yak up all the way onto the beach before stepping off his yak.

I'm still not sure if I would use this technique, but it was nice to see it in action and it paid off!

Al-

  Surf kayakers always turn around when landing. It's more comfortable, in a few ways. I think Mooch posted a long time ago that he likes it that way too.

I think Mooch posted a long time ago that he likes it that way too.

Yup, 97% of my beach landings are stearn first. But the way I do it is NOT the way that's shown on the video. I will try to post a video when I get a chance.

I think that is a great way to come in, but remember to raise your rudder first, learned the hard way once.


stoggie

Regardless of which direction you come in, the one thing you must do is brace into the wave.  Keep your downhill edge up.......or you're leaving the boat.

Man, the video of Jim's had good advice...but I kept waiting for him to surf one in.........por nada.

  Hey Blazer, my Oaktown Brother. If you want some surf zone help, I'd be happy to give you some. I'm at Pillar Point early almost every saturday kayak surfing. The last three saturdays have been really nice. No wind with small clean waves. Perfect for practicing side surfing on the inside of where we surf. If that's too early, we could go out at Linda Mar on my way back if the conditions are right. Seen some yakkers at the Harbor fishing lately, you could do that too.

 

Hey Magoo, thanks for the offer. I posted the video because of the perception yakker we met OTW said that he comes in backwards. I can see the benefits of coming in backwards during some conditions but, I prefer to paddle forward towards the beach and glance over my shoulder to see what the sea is doing behind me. However, if you want to go out fishing sometimes hit me with a shout or a PM.
Peace

if the waves are big and it is not a shorebreak i come in stearn  first, that lm guy in the perception recommended the method to me years ago.