1st time Ab picking from kayak

I recently purchased a tandem sit on top kayak and plan on getting in the ocean at Caspar for the 1st time in a couple weeks.  I would welcome any tips regarding storage (tied down on top or stored in hatch) of gear (weight belts, mask/fins).  Also any tips on entry/exit through surf.  I am also wondering if floation bags are needed, I assume that as long as you do not suffer a hatch failure your not going to sink your boat.  Any suggestions from you guys with experience is greatly appreciated.   

Hey, diveshark5150 - welcome.   

If the ocean's flat enough for a comfortable paddle and dive then it should be fine for storage of your gear in the hatch.  I'd say the best thing to do would be some practice time so you can be comfortable with your balance during stowage and retrieval of gear on open water.

As for flotation, it's something that many of us have decided to do after much time on the water.  The bottom line is that you're better off with that boat there with you if it does capsize.  If you're average you'll get some flotation eventually or at least think about it.  If you're way above average you'll start into the sport with that level of protection.

As for entry/exit through surf - skip that if possible.  Find extremely flat launch areas like Van Damme or pick days that are extremely flat.  Always be ready for changing conditions and unexpected occurences!

Have fun and be sure to post here with a tale of your trip and maybe some photos if you can.

See ya around,

Eric

I've beach launched my tandem for diving, having anything above deck sucks. Store whatever you can and prioritize accessibility based on how you suit up (gear you put on first goes in last). Fishing license/ab card/pens/zip ties all in dry bag with wallet/keys...or some other dry container.  Smaller the better and keep it easily accessible till you get home. Its not fun having to dig it out of the back of the kayak or divebag when asked to present it to warden/ranger.

Last piece of advise, when returning from a fish/dive trip...surfing waves is fun but not adviseable. Go to the surfline and time the last breaker and paddle in on its backside, easiest way to land. Save the surf session till you don't have gear on board and are clear of others in the water.

divershark

Caspar is a good place, protected , easy access, short paddle. Good place to practice technique if its not crazy big surf.

Wind and big water can make for a dangerous and unpleasant day on the water. To quote Scwafish "A snail isn't worth dying for."That being said, good timing is key, watch your weather buoys and wind reports. You have to respect something bigger than you on a global scale!
 
Surf entry ,look for the area with the smallest waves,watch the sets and time your entry,commit, then paddle without hesitation until you get through.
 
Usually surf exit is when you get schooled. That last 20-30 feet when you think you are good is when you rock and roll, your kayak will just want to get sideways. Take your paddle leash off, pick your landing spot, time the swells,follow a small one in, and paddle hard trying to stay straight. Hopping out as soon as its shallow enough is fairly easy if your butt isn't asleep. Make sure you stay on the ocean side of your yak when in the water. Then you won't get knocked down by your tandem after a success exit.  Learn how to do a paddle brace to prevent sand in ear syndrome.
 
Practice kayak re-entry, a very important thing. Getting into a yak with a weight belt is a lot different. If you take your belt off in the water, have a line with a clip on your yak to accept your belt so you don't drop yours to the bottom like I did.

Anything you want dry should be in a drybag (multi-task- floatation) clothes,license,pen,tags,car keys etc. stowed inside the yak is good if possible. I keep my weight belt on my seat for easy access OTW. My fins,mask,etc. are in a mesh game bag behind me, or stowed inside. Everything topside is clipped down with trigger clips for fast removal, as is my kelp anchor.

Welcome Divershark,

I live near Mendocino and am about to start a new job at Van Damme Park.  A very experienced local diver friend took me out diving at Caspar a few weeks ago for my first time and it was great.  He gave me some good safety pointers.  Yes, everything is well secured, and I do recommend float bags. Personally, my hull is stuffed with pool noodles.  When going out in surf, stay perpendicular to the waves.  I only go out on nice calm days.

Let me know if you'd like company/ a safety partner.  I have safety equipment, radio, etc., and I know a great spot in Caspar, with good abs in 8-12 FOW, in a very well protected spot, right close to shore.  There are Abs and urchins and crab there and some great caves.  It's a good safe place for us beginners, but I'd still never dive alone.

Unfortunately I will be working in the park on weekends, so if you can only be here on weekends, I guess it won't work for us.  I'll let you know what my two days off will be.

sincerely, -Matt Leach

Hey Matt, Mike/solsrf1 here.
I have dived at Van Damme and Fort Ross.
I want to dive Casper and would like to hook up with sometime to get the tour.
I used to camp at Van Damme, but now prefer Macerricker up the way. I can definitely swing some weekdays to dive and fish-do you fish the area too?

divershark

Caspar is a good place, protected , easy access, short paddle. Good place to practice technique if its not crazy big surf.

Wind and big water can make for a dangerous and unpleasant day on the water. To quote Scwafish "A snail isn't worth dying for."That being said, good timing is key, watch your weather buoys and wind reports. You have to respect something bigger than you on a global scale!
 
Surf entry ,look for the area with the smallest waves,watch the sets and time your entry,commit, then paddle without hesitation until you get through.
 
Usually surf exit is when you get schooled. That last 20-30 feet when you think you are good is when you rock and roll, your kayak will just want to get sideways. Take your paddle leash off, pick your landing spot, time the swells,follow a small one in, and paddle hard trying to stay straight. Hopping out as soon as its shallow enough is fairly easy if your butt isn't asleep. Make sure you stay on the ocean side of your yak when in the water. Then you won't get knocked down by your tandem after a success exit.  Learn how to do a paddle brace to prevent sand in ear syndrome.
 
Practice kayak re-entry, a very important thing. Getting into a yak with a weight belt is a lot different. If you take your belt off in the water, have a line with a clip on your yak to accept your belt so you don't drop yours to the bottom like I did.

Anything you want dry should be in a drybag (multi-task- floatation) clothes,license,pen,tags,car keys etc. stowed inside the yak is good if possible. I keep my weight belt on my seat for easy access OTW. My fins,mask,etc. are in a mesh game bag behind me, or stowed inside. Everything topside is clipped down with trigger clips for fast removal, as is my kelp anchor.

Fishim, gret advice.
Tell me more about a trigger clip and where I can get some? I use carabiners mostly, but they can sometimes be difficult to remove in a hurry and even jam up. Thanks Mike

Trigger clips can be had at good hardware or livestock supply stores.Dive shops have them too, look at the kelp anchor thread.

Everything Fishim advised is the way to go.  The only thing I would add is that I take a regular anchor in addition to a kelp anchor.  Kelp anchors are the way to go, but sometimes, especially in the beginning of the year, there's no kelp.  The problem with regular anchors is that they don't regularly come up easily.  So don't chuck them out in water over your range, because most of the time you have to go get them.  I just get mine on the last dive, so I don' have to worry about it.

Caspar's a great place to start, and the place Matt is talking about is a great place to learn.  However, I ask folks to respect it.......let's keep it a great learning spot.  Good Hunting!

Thanks for the tips guys.

Mike

I put all my small gear, mask, snorkel, gloves, hood, camera, flashlight, ect. into a mesh goodie bag and keep it above deck.  With my gloves and hood in it it'll float fine if I take a spill.  My abalone iron may go in there, or if it's an abalone only trip I'll have it on the deck with a floatline/float, which also is easy to pick out of the surf.  The only other thing you need is fins, which I put on the hatch lid but under the straps on my OC kayak.  Kayaks without hatch straps may have to put them in a hatch or under some webbing.  My speargun also goes under the hatch straps, and they can be cinched up tight enough to hold those things if I have an incident in the surf.

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions.  I am still wondering where to store my weight belt on top for easy access.  I was planning on leashing it underneath my knees until ready to dive. 

Matt, I will be diving at Caspar with a group of friends who are also new to kayaking.  In the past we have used a zodiac to get to our spots.  We will be diving at Caspar May 15th Thursday through Sunday.  Let me know if you would like to join us. 

Hey Matt - Don't mean to scare you.  Me and my buddies have been scuba diving, spear fishing and ab picking in the Fort Bragg area for 15 years.  We have primary done surface swims and used a zodiac for many years but have decide to start using kayaks due to the difficulties of launching the zodiac.  We are well aware of the dangers the ocean presents and have learned through experience that some days aren't worth it.  If its too rough at Caspar we will be launching at Van Damne or not at all.