Come kayak surf LM

I am not a fan of leashes on the kayak - the way you flipped and rolled you very likely would have come up tangled in the leash. Make things float and collect them after a yard sale. My $0.02.

Cheers,
Brad

I was in the breakers zone because that’s how you practice handling the kayak in the breakers. I didn’t realize I forgot my PFD until I flipped over. I took my paddle leash off when I launched because it was more convenient, but in retrospect it would have helped me (the kayak was swept ashore, and I would have been pulled with it).
It made me think of a strong anchoring point for the leash in a situation like this. What do folks use?

I would think going in and out through the breakers would be better practice since it's more reflective of what actually happens during launches/landings, instead of just hanging around the breaker zone....But that's just me.

This could've been a much worse and hope you have enough sense of your surroundings and the people around you so you don't kill anyone or yourself the next time around

All the folks here meant well and I really do appreciate the sharing, the good intention is well received.  The video is awesome and plenty to learn from, albeit at li-orca's expense.  Hope you get what you after and be better because of it.

All the folks here meant well and I really do appreciate the sharing, the good intention is well received.  The video is awesome and plenty to learn from, albeit at li-orca's expense.  Hope you get what you after and be better because of it.

Internalizing the moments of that experience, what it feels to have the waves pound at you, it all adds up to building a stronger and a hopefully safer kayaker
Still working on the video.

Seems like all parts of that are a bad idea. Having a big kayak in and around surfers, hanging out in the surf zone instead of practicing paddling hard through waves and bracing, no PFD, thinking about being leashed to the kayak, etc. Leashing when offshore and you can't be separated from the boat and/or paddle maybe, but leashes where waves are breaking on rocks or into shallow water can be a recipe for disaster.

Thanks for sharing and please take everyone's comments with the safety advice they are intended. Always good to have these kinds of conversations on here.

For some reason i keep hearing Hawaii 5.0. music. Nothing like being young and fearless. Understand peoples concerns but we have all been their one way or another.

but in retrospect it would have helped me (the kayak was swept ashore, and I would have been pulled with it).
It made me think of a strong anchoring point for the leash in a situation like this. What do folks use?

Depending on the forces of the waves it could be dangerous to get pulled with your kayak. Watch Rokitt who got his shoulder dislocated video.

I was in the breakers zone because that’s how you practice handling the kayak in the breakers. I didn’t realize I forgot my PFD until I flipped over. I took my paddle leash off when I launched because it was more convenient, but in retrospect it would have helped me (the kayak was swept ashore, and I would have been pulled with it).
It made me think of a strong anchoring point for the leash in a situation like this. What do folks use?

I am not a fan of leashes on the kayak - the way you flipped and rolled you very likely would have come up tangled in the leash. Make things float and collect them after a yard sale. My $0.02.

Cheers,
Brad

I use only one leash and that is for my paddle.  However, I do not kept it attached during launching and landing.  But once I'm safely through the surf zone, I connect it as soon as possible.  That way I do have a tether to my yak and if your holding your paddle, you will rarely let go of it even when you flip.  But having it attached during the launching and landings can be a hazard to you for the same reason, as you get dragged by your kayak holding your paddle, or have it recoil and come back at you. I also like to drop it in the water and not worry that it's going to float away when I hook into a fish.

I was in the breakers zone because that’s how you practice handling the kayak in the breakers. I didn’t realize I forgot my PFD until I flipped over. I took my paddle leash off when I launched because it was more convenient, but in retrospect it would have helped me (the kayak was swept ashore, and I would have been pulled with it).
It made me think of a strong anchoring point for the leash in a situation like this. What do folks use?

I am not a fan of leashes on the kayak - the way you flipped and rolled you very likely would have come up tangled in the leash. Make things float and collect them after a yard sale. My $0.02.

Cheers,
Brad

I use only one leash and that is for my paddle.  However, I do not kept it attached during launching and landing.  But once I'm safely through the surf zone, I connect it as soon as possible.  That way I do have a tether to my yak and if your holding your paddle, you will rarely let go of it even when you flip.  But having it attached during the launching and landings can be a hazard to you for the same reason, as you get dragged by your kayak holding your paddle, or have it recoil and come back at you. I also like to drop it in the water and not worry that it's going to float away when I hook into a fish.

Another vote for unleashed paddle on the surf.  Although I did have to swim for the paddle once after a failed (and aborted) launch.

I use this: https://www.rei.com/product/883307/sea-to-summit-paddle-keeper

Find that it works mostly well in right balance of length, stretch, material. Once wrapped around my neck while underwater in the surf but was able to untangle. It does have a velcro attach point that may possibly release under high opposing force.

Usually I try to toss the paddle away if I'm about to eject.

It can be convenient to not go after both paddle and kayak while self rescuing and continuing to head out. Probably gotta remember to unleash on re-entry tho.

The ones that I have (which I forget the name/brand, but will find an example) has a Velcro wrap to attach to the paddle but has a quick release clip, like on my PFD, so I can with one hand release it.  This is how I launch and land just letting the leash stay attached to my kayak and then quickly re-connected after.

EDIT:

Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/PROYAKER-Accessories-Universal-Paddle-Fishing/dp/B012H6AW5W/ref=asc_df_B012H6AW5W/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312131236011&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3478173012745476523&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1014226&hvtargid=pla-567961304142&psc=1

Man, winter has been really long this time huh?

There are always a lot of variables in the surf zone. I've done no leash and gotten into a bit of a pickle outside the main line up when I got hit with the peak set wave and it took my yak in without me (pfd was a literal lifesaver that day). I've also used a leash when there are gobs of looky loos on the beach (especially little kinds with inattentive parents). There are trade offs with either one and what to do varies in almost every situation I find.

so these days I carry a leash for the paddle but rarely use it unless caught offshore in escalating wind. For a surf launch/recovery/landing I stow everything and rely on a paddle brace if things go sideways (literally). This is generally a low brace, but I've used a high brace when the wave face was taller. This is at places on the North Coast, Pigeon, Pistachio, Bean etc.
If it really hits the fan, I'll bail out as close to the beach as I can and just hope the folks on the sand are keeping an eye out.
I tried surfing LM years ago in a 14' river SIK kayak and spent most of the time pumping out the cockpit since the spray deck I had was for touring, not surfing 
It's always good to learn new things Taking a specific surf zone course with a paddle shop is always a good idea too.

where's that gopro footage? 

This is a skill I always say I will make time to practice (on a non-fishing day) but never do. Good for you!