Sunday Bean Hollow 5/6

[AlsHobieOutback]

Weather permitting, my buddy has agreed to meet up with me at Bean Hollow for a lesson in surf launching, around 8AM.  Accuweather shows a bright sunny day for Sun, but im not sure about the marine forecast.  This would be my first time, his 4th I think.  Would love company if anyone is interested in teaching a newbie.  Not really planning on fishing, but will likely bring tackle (it generally never leaves my car anyway).

Alain-

[Mooch]

Alain - becareful at the "Hollow"  I were you, I'd go to Linda Mar or Surfers beach in Half Moon Bay to practice in the surf . The breaks are usually "friendlier" there compared to Bean Hollow.

just my 2 cents...

Have fun but be safe 

...oh and you can only fish for Halibut at BH....no rockfish allowed for now.

[Kevin]

The forecast calls for lots of wind; becareful...

I agree with Mooch, Linda Mar might be a better place to practice surfing. BH tends to be a shore break. 

[Mooch]

...Just remember this: NEVER get in between your kayak and the shoreline once you exit your kayak (or even when your ready to mount your yak).....or you will turn into a bowling pin  You always want to be on the Ocean side.

just a tip 

[AlsHobieOutback]

Yeap, I know RF opens there in June, waiting patiently.   Mainly picked BH because my friend had launched there the three times previously.  He had said the rocks help with the launch if you stay (sorta) close to the right hand side, and then shoot out.  I might as well consider all three spots then, check out which one looks decent for the day.   Or I will at least go take a look at them on the way back.  Looking at Linda Mar at least looks nice open and wide, compared to BH.  But I don't see surfers beach on californiacoastline.org, where is it exactly?

[Mooch]

Surfers Beach is just South of the Princeton Harbor. It's the beach just outside the jetty / rockwall. There is a Hotel and a trailer park right next to it - right off HWY 1. I suggest you guys launch from HMB Kayak Co. (inside the Harbor) and just paddle out of the jaws (Harbor mouth) and keep heading straight towards the shore - parallel to the outer wall of the jetty. (This is where we did the surf clinic with Aquan Sports)

[AlsHobieOutback]

Oh, tips are very welcome guys!  I did go through the archives and read up a bunch on your previous tips.  Was thinking a "newbie" forum would be a great place to consolidate those tips too.  Ocean side makes plenty of sense if you have a choice, so as to not be knocked out by my 70# yak coming for me.  I expect this to be difficult btw, but I am up for a challenge.  Its time to get out there and start learning how this is done.  I'm not a masochist, so I wouldn't say i'm going in no matter what.  Safety first, as always!

[cafecraig]

Alain, I have only launched from LM once, but I also think that LM would be a bit more straightforward for practice purposes.

BH will probably be wicked difficult this weekend, given the forecast.  You don't lose the fight with BH at the beach when launching - I think you lose it usually in the middle of the cove by surprise, after paddling out 10 seconds.   BH is a sneaky git!

You could leave *everything* in the car - or maybe stuff something below deck for weight, to assimilate "real" conditions loaded.  The cleanup after you are tossed will be easier that way.

Yeah, safety first!

[promethean_spark]

Bean hollow is a great place to practice because - it's the kind of surf we tend to launch in, only worse.  I've practiced there on days with 16 foot seas, see photos in old posts, and you definitely learend a lot and had fun getting thrown around.  Wear your PFD and a helmet if you can get one, and be ready to get wet.

Places where folks surf are, IMO, a poor place to practice kayak launchings and landings.  Generally we're going out of places that are somewhat protected with a relatively short break.  Surfers like a long steep break that just isn't the same as what we deal with.  Generally you want to launch between the waves, which is doable with good timing at bean hollow (hence the practice!) but you pretty much have to punch through one or more at the surfing beaches.  Both skills are useful, but I only do the latter at linda mar, whereas the short shore break occurs  at big sur, stillwater (s), bean hollow, pescadero, muir, fort ross...  Most launch points! 

Bean hollow's surf is also fairly complex, with onshore and offshore breaks to avoid, so it's a good example of challenging surf that's useful to learn on.  After mastering the hollow you'll laugh at most other launches.  It also goes from do-able at the edges to impossible in the middle, so you can select the difficulty you want to try.


Bean hollow is also rock free for the most part, which makes it relatively safe for the size surf you'll be in.  I would never teach someone surf launches at pescadero, for instance, due the the boulderfield you come in through there. 

You can also land at the very south edge of bean hollow, this was the launch I used to use before the lot was closed in the AM and made the trek down there prohibitive.  Generally the surf is better on the side closest to the direction the swells are coming from.  For practice purposes you should try launching and landing on both ends.  The south break is even shorter and harder than the north one, but easier to time.

Have someone on the shore with a camera!

[e2g]

as the previous post mentions, rocks can be a big issue.  I recently stumbled while getting out of my yak ( you know that drunken feeling of stiff legs that havent moved for 6 hours?) and hit my shin on a rock in the water.

when I got home, it looked like someone cut a baseball in half and shoved it under my skin.  Had that been my head, best case, I look lumpy.  worst case, I pass out in the water.  So without being too "mom" like, look for rocks before launching...and eat your vegetables!

Eugene

[Freddie]

Als-

Normally, I wouldn't chime in unless I was going to be able to get out there but, I'd really reconsider the location to "practice" surf launches and landings. The hollow can really shred you up. That's the only place that kicked my ass and it's the place where I've seen the hugest wipeouts. I'd go to Linda Mar or someplace like that to get your feet wet. I wouldn't want to see a This Happened to Me kinda thing happen to you guys out there. It could go real bad at the hollow... no joke.

Take care,

Freddie

[Lost Mojo]

Personally I find launches to be the easiest part in big surf. If you are questioning whether or not the surf is safe to launch or not, call it off.

I don't know the hollow personally but some launches can be moderate at high tide, but a whole different beast at low tide.

Some boats will punch through the surf really well, my freedom is like a torpedo going out, long boat and v shaped bow. It cuts through just about anything until you get tossed end over end, or taking a face wave and knocked off the kayak ( which made it through the wave with out me ). Other boats get turned when hit with a breaking wave going out. Once you are turned, you are done and prepare for the next wave to roll you in heavy surf.

Problem I have in my freedom is coming it. The boat will with out fail want to lay out and turn on a surf in. It will not surf in. I end up slugging out the landing and getting hammered unless I can use the speed to make it between sets.

On the flip side I have short little hobie maui that can be surfed in like a dream.

One tip, if you get hammered by a wave....DON'T STOP PADDLING and when the next wave hits you, lift your paddle up above the wave.

-Brian G

[Marmite]

Als,

I'd really reconsider the location to "practice" surf launches and landings. The hollow can really shred you up

Just in case you don't know yet, Freddie is a way experienced veteran.  I would take his caution seriously.

[SandMan]

Last year I brought a seasoned yakker to the Bean to join in on the great rock fishing that we were having.  ChuckE and Freddie watched from the shore as my friend got pummeled on the launch and I regretted putting him through that experience.  I almost earned my name the sandman for putting him to sleep...not a good thing. 

All kidding aside, the Bean is to be respected.  Its no small task to launch and its an even bigger challenge to land.  Linda Mar would be a better choice.

Gary 

[AlsHobieOutback]

Thanks for all the advice guys!  Yeah, I am feeling like LM is more and more a better choice for first time, and BH a good place to hone the skills learned at LM.  Updated forecast for tomorrow shows:

NW winds 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. NW swell 5 to 7 ft at 10 seconds.

When launching from either area, a NW wind should help carry us through the surf, but be a pain to get back in right?  It should be easier to head back to shore with a longer target as well.  Hope its a bit less windy in the morning.  Taking my water ski life vest instead of my fishing one for a bit more flotation.  Will also probably start out without the mirage drive (pedal system), though would also like to know if its easier to get back in to land with it. 

Will bring a camera, and hope to have something to share when I get back.