Never go alone

I've been out a few times in the past couple of years at my home beach (linda mar) in Pacifica.
Like to go crabbing and learning a lot.  Went by myself a few times when others were out.
Went out with my son a few days ago when it was a little rough .
We use posts in scupper holes to support our traps and pounded through a few waves and made it out OK.
After dropping our 3rd trap my son said that he felt unstable.  I noticed that his kayak looked low in the water and told him that we should go back in.  He then rolled out into the water (good thing we have wet suits) and couldn't hold his kayak stedy.
I tied my kayak to his and paddled back in with him holding on to my kayak.
Beach landing I told him to body surf in alone untied his kayak and let the surf wash it to shore.
I rode a wave in (got lucky) without flipping. His kayak washed to to beach and stuck in the sand.  It was so heavy that we couldn't move it.
Looks like the posts in the holes broke through when pounding through the surf.

Never go alone. You never know what can happen

Stupid?
Paulr

I think stupid is too strong of a word.  Learning experience sounds better. And Thanks for posting your experience to help others.

The scupper hole area is generally the most likley place for a crack to develop especially if you use the holes to support the weight of the yak IE scupper hole carts. 

I had to have my yak sink out from under me (in a much safer place) to get serious about what I consider the minimum prepration, stuff that hull with flotation, carry a bilge pump, get a vhf for the ocean, of course that's after the wetsuit and pfd.

As for not going alone, that would cut out about 2/3s of my outings. 

What material were the posts made of?  And what brand/model kayak was he paddling?

Not stupid at all...like many others I often go alone, but I always leave my flight plan with the wife and have the right gear.  Sounds like you guys were prepared, and thanks for sharing as a reminder to us all.
-beenfishin

Glad to hear you guys made it back ok! Scary to have your yak take on water. It happened to me two years ago at albion..

Never go alone. You never know what can happen

Sound advice right there  Glad you both made it back safe and thank you for sharing your experience 

PaulR, glad you made it in OK.  Saw some good advise shared with you.  My two cents from solo bumpy Ma Ocean experience, I keep a set of surf/swim fins in the yak, and when its really bumpy wear the fins on a belt.  Stay Safe and have Fun.

What material were the posts made of?  And what brand/model kayak was he paddling?

cobra navigator using pvc posts.
forgot the radio in the truck