Did you practice????

I do not like being in an uncomfortable situation. Especially when my life is on the line.
Before I ever even thought about venturing into the ocean I went to a lake and practiced everything I could think of that might go wrong. It turned out to be an invaluable experience. I am not uncomfortable about flipping or having to do a self rescue. It makes a world of difference when it really happens.
I would like to know HONESTLY how much we really practice what we preach. I assume everyone practices before heading out but I know it isn't the case. Maybe this poll will let us know if we need to be more adamant about practicing and really pound it into the newbies.

I never practiced.  I dumped in the first 2 weeks of owning the yak in the south bay of San Diego bay.  Glass conditions, but I got back in my boat super easily.

Lame to find out the hard way, good to find out it is easy.

MolBasser

Yep. First kayak was a 22" wide SIK. Practiced self rescue inside Morro Bay before ever venturing out the jaws. Within weeks of the purchase, I had taken an Eskimo roll class. I still continue to practice SIK self rescues, and continue to read Sea Kayaker. Bought my copy of "Deep Trouble" over 10 years ago. I just bought a used WW boat for wave play during the storm season. And I'm currently re-evaluating my choice of kayak and rigging.

Scott

I first paddled my scupper pro (1st yak) in the elkhorn Slough.

Next was surf practice at 7th evenue beach whre I learned that yak don't surf.  Plenty of practice that day in re-entry.

My 1st ten go-outs were from 26th ave in Santa Cruz, whumper shorebreak.  I swamped almost every time, quickly learned to stow all my gear.

Allen

Yep.  I am a real wuss.  New activities include instructions and pratice.  Class, video and do it.  For me, all in the ocean.  It was quite some time before I found how pleasant it was to swim with the boat in warm lake water.

I had no choice.  The guy that took me on my first paddle gave me instruction on what to do on the beach then when we were out he started talking really low so I paddled closer and he reached out and pushed me in.  He told me it comes when you least expect.  Happened to me a few more times that day.

What a great......... ......buddy you've got there!...............

I started out in a closed-deck boat (SIK) and learned strokes, bracing, and self- and assisted rescues. Then rolling though I am not reliable at rolling yet--just don't practice enough and need to develop and 'off-side' roll. So when I got a SOT, I naturally tried flipping it and re-entering. It was not hard if you remember BBB (Belly, Back, Butt) and to scissor-kick as you try to develop the momentum behind scramble up on the deck. Makes it a piece of cake compared to SIK re-entry...in calm waters. I have read that, paradoxically, SOTs, while much easier to re-enter in calm waters than SIKs, are actually harder to re-enter in really rough conditions though the source (John Lull: Sea Kayaking: Safety & Rescue) didn't really explain why. I have supposed it has to do with the bouancy being pushed about by rough water.

I lied a little.  I actually practiced in the Ocean at MBK.  The first time out I was dumped by a shore break after a storm and never made it out.  The next try was on a calm day and I did the full on kayak test at the same place.  I climed all over the boat bow to stern and jumped on and off several times just to make sure I could do it and knew how.  I did it agian when I started fishing.

...even when I take a friend out, I ALWAYS show them how to self rescue - you can actually demo it without even being on the water 

...even when I take a friend out, I ALWAYS show them how to self rescue -

So you push them in too huh =)

...even when I take a friend out, I ALWAYS show them how to self rescue -

So you push them in too huh =)

Art, if it was you, I would ....and I'd toss you an anchor as well 

I did practice surf lauches and landings at la jolla without any gear before I went out with gear.

A couple of guys from the Cobra Team and the Plastic Navy showed me the ropes for a couple of hours before the lifeguards chased me off.

Made some and dumped some.  It was fun.

MolBasser

...even when I take a friend out, I ALWAYS show them how to self rescue -

So you push them in too huh =)

Art, if it was you, I would ....and I'd toss you an anchor as well 

  Very nice of you.....hey, what are u doing for the crab opener?  I'm in need of about 185 lbs of crab bait...........P.S. It'd be helpful if you loaded up on the prior to the outing for maximum scent milking

...even when I take a friend out, I ALWAYS show them how to self rescue -

So you push them in too huh =)

Art, if it was you, I would ....and I'd toss you an anchor as well 

  Very nice of you.....hey, what are u doing for the crab opener?  I'm in need of about 185 lbs of crab bait...........P.S. It'd be helpful if you loaded up on the prior to the outing for maximum scent milking

Art, I'm 220 lbs......I'm all you need baby 

Dude, I'll crew for you - just remember that I don't eat crabs so it's a win-win situation for ya......all I ask is that you drop your traps at Ano Nuevo so we can see some land lords