Yard sale at Baker Beach

So for us newbies trying to launch at baker or in any surf what is the proper technique to do so without going through the ordeal this guy went through. I just got a 4 mm farmer john and already have my pfd and other safety equiptment so that part is covered.

You'll find some good info here on how to do it, but nothing beats water-time with folks that know what they're doing. 

For me, I took the CCK Kayak Fishing Safety class out of HMB.  I learned more in that class doing a single surf launch than I had in all the reading I'd done here and in my year prior paddling on the (non-open ocean) water. 

Plus, it covered a great deal of universally applicable stuff: recognizing hypothermia, self rescue, using landmarks to navigate, helping fellow kayakers in distress, how to actually use the VHF to call for help.

If you want to watch some fun, come to Anchor Bay and watch guys try to launch their outboards straight off the ramp area of the beach. I usually head out there when I see it coming and set up to sell beer or hot dogs to the watching crowd. It almost never fails to entertain. Next time there will be pictures...

Only been there once but on that day a zodiac was launching when a wave flipped it.  Guys had scuba gear, spearguns and everything else floating everywhere.  They were shook up pretty bad so I delayed my launch and helped retrieve gear and get the boat back on the trailer.  They found most of it but lost some expensive gear.  They called it a day as I would have done the same thing. 

Anchor Bay can be brutal. At LRC 2 years ago, we had a campsite right next to the boat ramp. We watched a few NCKA wipeouts while having breakfast. No one was physically hurt, and yes, it was funny.

Wiping out is just part of surf launching and landing. As long as no one is hurt, feel free to laugh. There are many wipeout videos posted here. Here is an oldie at my fishing hole:

wow that was a huge wave that came out of no where...yikes!!

What are you going to do at Baker Beach.  By the time natural selection got his shorts back on the fun was over.   As far as the Anchor bay by now  famous short break goes.  Back in the day.  I left a mallote board attached with one bungie at Russian Gulch and the wife decided a run to Fort Bragg would be nice.  By the time time I recovered the board from a SJ flipper dipper a month had passed and I'd bought a new Odessy surf ski from Elk, ca. Thanks wife.  Totally my bad.    Right to Anchor Bay for a cen cal meet.  I'm still a "C" diver.  Not doing worth a shit in the competition I play in the surf.  To this day I will not launch straight out from Anchor Bay.  Only way to surf that break would be be with a sea anchor.

 Here is an oldie at my fishing hole:

What a disgusting display of misanthropic ruffianism.....standing around laughing, clearly that victim needs more hug and less smug.


My heart is weeping for all humanity.

Never get tired of that video.
Hey Art, are you turning hippie on us????
And if anyone sees something like this happening, for crying out loud break out the video camera!!!!!

 Here is an oldie at my fishing hole:

What a disgusting display of misanthropic ruffianism.....standing around laughing, clearly that victim needs more hug and less smug.


My heart is weeping for all humanity.

Never get tired of that video.
Hey Art, are you turning hippie on us????
And if anyone sees something like this happening, for crying out loud break out the video camera!!!!!

Nah.....I was one of the guys laughing in the background

And fwiw, I was standing right next to bill recording it also. 

That was hard to read... No desire to help the poor guy?

It was probably wise not to help the guy out. From the sound of it, this guy was both ill equipped and ill prepared. Sometimes letting people come to their own realization is the best way to help.

That was hard to read... No desire to help the poor guy?

It was probably wise not to help the guy out. From the sound of it, this guy was both ill equipped and ill prepared. Sometimes letting people come to their own realization is the best way to help.

So when the guy needs to be rescued, would you come to the realization that he really needed help?

That was hard to read... No desire to help the poor guy?

It was probably wise not to help the guy out. From the sound of it, this guy was both ill equipped and ill prepared. Sometimes letting people come to their own realization is the best way to help.

So when the guy needs to be rescued, would you come to the realization that he really needed help?

It's been my experience that something in your gut tells you when to offer help and when to just watch and maybe later offer aid.

I dunno. That guy was really lucky he didn't make it out. If he did, he may well have been in trouble. He also would have been facing away from shore and likely out of earshot of anyone who might try to yell that he's doing something stupid.

Judging from his apparent lack of experience, he probably would have gotten swamped by a set wave on his way back in. Then what?

I dunno. That guy was really lucky he didn't make it out. If he did, he may well have been in trouble. He also would have been facing away from shore and likely out of earshot of anyone who might try to yell that he's doing something stupid.

Judging from his apparent lack of experience, he probably would have gotten swamped by a set wave on his way back in. Then what?

A word from the wise may have gained a new friend/fishing partner.

I dunno. That guy was really lucky he didn't make it out. If he did, he may well have been in trouble. He also would have been facing away from shore and likely out of earshot of anyone who might try to yell that he's doing something stupid.

Judging from his apparent lack of experience, he probably would have gotten swamped by a set wave on his way back in. Then what?

A word from the wise may have gained a new friend/fishing partner.

What about a word from the wise guy?

I dunno. That guy was really lucky he didn't make it out. If he did, he may well have been in trouble. He also would have been facing away from shore and likely out of earshot of anyone who might try to yell that he's doing something stupid.

Judging from his apparent lack of experience, he probably would have gotten swamped by a set wave on his way back in. Then what?

A word from the wise may have gained a new friend/fishing partner.

What about a word from the wise guy?

The "wise guy" would be the more experience individual that stood there watching a obvious less experienced individual struggle in the surf.

Without a PFD and immersion wear, the only thing I would have helped him with is loading his kayak back on his car.

I`m always willing to help someone  "IF" they "WANT" to be helped...I`ve offered before only to be told  F O and I`ve been told thanks too  ..now I watch and be ready to call 911...

Without a PFD and immersion wear, the only thing I would have helped him with is loading his kayak back on his car.

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