Surf landing technique

This technique looks like a good emergency trick if you get turned sideways in the surf zone. It's easy to do in a SIK, but has anybody ever used this surf landing technique with a SOT fishing kayak?  Not sure if it's possible, unless you use knee braces:

http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showArticle.html?377

"He is maintaining his edge and brace. "

That is the key there. Yea we'll get lucky with a surf landing like that you our SOT boats. But they get heavy in the wash and maintaining your edge and brace is near impossible for all but the best. I can do it my little Hobie Maui but can't hold a Marauder.

-Brian G

You can absolutely do this in a SOT and it is a great tool.  A few years ago PAL gave me a couple of pointers that took a while to sink in, but once you get it its not that hard.  As they say in other sports..."its all in the hips"

At the end of this surf play video from my SW 101 you can see Chad Price nail a side surfing  brace on some teeny whitewater.  As dinky as the whitewash looks, it was taking people out all morning and it was perfect for learning.

Little stuff yea, but the larger surf...? Where the tankwell and cockpit and are flooded out?

-Brian G

Thats not what I would envision subjecting students or my video gear to...but yes, the same technique works.  I have some video of Terry do a similar brace in Baja on the face of 4 foot wind chop that was so big it was surfable.  It is entirely doable.

You post the video of Terry and I'll work on some video of how I 'fail' to edge and brace larger yaks:smt044

-Brian G

Any decent kayak surf class will cover bracing and side surfing. It is not an advanced technique; it does help prevent unplanned swims even beyond the surf zone. With the longer 'yaks, it is especially important because they are prone to go broadside.

You can read up on bracing in any number of kayak touring books. I'm partial to Sea Kayaking Illustrated myself, 'cause of the funny cartoons. Instruction will get you there much faster. A gentle beach break is an ideal place to practice - you put yourself broadside to the breakers and side-surf your way in.

It's crucial to get your weight out over the paddle. How far to lean depends on the power of the wave. Bigger ones, you have to really commit to it, practically sticking your ear in the foam. But on the stuff we traverse in fishing kayaks, it's not normally anything extreme.

Boats with rounded chines are easier to side surf in my experience. The more secondary stability the better. I can't imagine edging a wider boat such as a Cobra FND, but I bet there are people who can stick it.

Here's Jim Sammons pulling it off on an OK P13, and no, he's not using thigh / knee straps:





It's a useful trick that can even save your bacon in a beach break, although I don't recommend trying it unless you like to pick gravel out of your hair. Talk about your bumpy rides.

Where the tankwell and cockpit and are flooded out?

Thanks PAL, I think the lower photo is awesome and shows that yes it can be done without straps and with the tank and cockpit flooded. 

Where the tankwell and cockpit and are flooded out?

Thanks PAL, I think the lower photo is awesome and shows that yes it can be done without straps and with the tank and cockpit flooded. 

Yup. Better than I can do.
 Still saying I can't do it with a marauder. 

What about a T160? Hardly any rocker, and the seat well isn't very deep. I always use knee straps anyway and don't have problems in surf landings, but it seems like a steep wave would dump you off a T160 while side surfing. Unless the force of the paddle brace would hold you on the boat.

Did the brace without a thigh strap at the HMB clinic last year (with a P-15) and landed topside easily - it's all about technique and LOT'S OF PRACTICE.

Definitely doable without thigh straps, although easier with them as they make this maneuver more forgiving to mistakes.  SOT's like the ones we typically use can be pretty stable in a "side slide", even when flooded.  The bracing helps to keep you from falling over and off.  You losing your balance is much more unstable than the kayak losing its balance as your CG is higher.

-Allen

What about a T160? Hardly any rocker, and the seat well isn't very deep. I always use knee straps anyway and don't have problems in surf landings, but it seems like a steep wave would dump you off a T160 while side surfing. Unless the force of the paddle brace would hold you on the boat.

It's difficult to believe just how hard you can lean on your paddle while bracing during a surf. While there's momentum, it is rock solid, enough for your entire body weight. So no, as long as you are leaning hard on your paddle, you're not going anywhere, even in a low volume cockpit like the 160. Besides, you have that great rounded chine - the 160 is one of those boats that 'lock-in' when side surfing. Of course, when the wave slows you have to get your weight back over the boat. Otherwise you'll end you cool "I meant to do that" surf with an ignominious splash-down in knee deep water.