Bill/Joel Ideal Launch

I put these pics together on a great day at Linda Mar.  These pics show Joel and Bill Launching into 2ft waves at Linda Mar. For those of you who havn't made a surf launch here is a photo lesson on how to do it. 

Note: if you have zoom check out some of the expression on there faces.

Jason

When I launch at Linda Mar, I hold on to my bow line and walk the yak in knee-deep water- I ALWAYS make sure I'm standing well infront of the kayak so when a swell comes my way, the kayak does not hit me (or turn me into a bowling pin). Bofore another swell comes, I side saddle the kayak and throw my legs up front and simply keep my bow facing the incomming swells. I will "hang out" in the white water (knee deep) till I see the last big swell come in and then I paddle HARD to clear the rest of the smaller swells. I like hanging out by the white water (knee deep) cause it's easier to judge a big swell coming if your sitting on your kayak - you see the swells at an "eye-level" this way - compared to standing up.

Now if it was a beach break, like Bean Hollow or Limeklin, I'd do the exact same think but FASTER  There will be no "hanging out" 

....just my 2 cents

Thanks for not postin the pics of my textbook rollover landing! 

Bill, If I was only there at the time!!!!!!!!

Jason

Joel if I am not mistaken you took some pics after your landing on the same day.  It would be interesting to post some to show people how quickly the conditions changed that day. It was still nice but the swell and sets definately got way bigger only 3 hours later.
Jason

Yeah - I actually did but deleted it by mistake  That was the same day a Father took his son out on a foldaboat (with a trolling motor) and with no PFDs  He never made it out - the swells bumped up to 4 footers that afternoon. Then there were two kayak guys with wearing T-Shirts,shorts and backpacks (no PFD) going out as well. One of 'em made it out but the other guy kept getting swamped and kept losing his balance because of his backpack (full of tackle - I assume) and the fact that he did not wait for his kayak to drain itself. It took him at least 20 minutes to get out past the breakers. I'm surprised he even made it out - it looked like he was running out of energy.

It's unfortunate that some people don't respect the power of the sea....and that's how they get hurt. And that got me thinking: If any of these people got seriously hurt that day, I bet the county would make up some law the next day stating that "kayaks are no longer allowed to launch off the beach" 

that would suck big time 

...but let me just say - I've been guilty of it was well...but at least, I had a PFD on me (and a million other safety devices) 

I don't want this to get political but I guess if a couple people get hurt launching Kayaks they won't do much.  I see people hurt from surfing big waves.  Not often but it happens.  Having said that, I don't see them banning surfing anytime soon.

Jason

maybe.....but a 15 ft., 60 pound rouge kayak can clearly take out a few surfers....or who ever gets in the way  Especially on a nice sunny day when Linda Mar becomes a typical Southern California beach 

I think I worry most when I'm standing still in knee-deep water either on the way out, or most likely, on the way in,  and the potential for a small wave to turn the yak sideways and clip me in the lower legs - broken leg or ruined knees a real possibility.  I try to err on the side of having the yak already aimed so if a sneaker gets it, it will turn away from me, not into me.  Then on the way in, there's the fact that I look like a drunk when I try to use my legs for the first time in hours.   But I think I need a lot more experience with surf L's and L's, and little by little, I'll get it.

flat beaches.  =)  must be nice to launch on them.

I tend to launch on beaches  that go from 2 feet of water to 10 feet of water in about 15 feet.  it gets interesting.  timing is everything.  also lookin at the waves and deciding its not a good day to launch  =)

I have had some great rollovers both launching and landing.  one of my best was out at del monte beach near the canyon del rey exit in monterey/seaside.  I had just given up on halibut, landed dropped off my fishing gear on the beach and decided to practice with launches in the moderate surf.  got out past the first set of breakers and was doing fine then the actual set came in.....  turns out the malibu 2 xl surfs waves very well in reverse (something I didnt really want to know) 

needless to say I did a bit of swimming