How NOT to make a surf landing..

I’ve never used thigh straps on a kayak, but then, my 7th kayak is a Hobie which some don’t consider a real kayak.  I did use them while white water canoeing and they were an absolute necessity because that was the only way you could execute a good brace or draw.  I can see where they would be a great asset on a kayak when you needed to really reach out to grab some water.  With sit ins, you don’t need thigh straps because, with the foot rests adjusted properly, you wedge your knees up under the gunnels.  I’ll never need them because I’m like the French national bird when it comes to saltwater.   

Sounds like knee-straps definitely have their place for any kind of yakker, but saying they hardly pose any threat of a tangle seems wrong to me.  If you do go over, how is it that those two straps attached to your yak don't present a threat of a tangle?...  I think Mooch is right that they're not necessary for doing what we do, and I think Judd's right that they could help people in some situations.  Personally, I have no desire to attach knee-straps to my rig.

No worries, you just fall right out if you relax your thighs.

I've seen a lot of kayak anglers land through surf - not one used thigh straps. There's so little interest in "paddling" topics, I'm very reluctant to write about paddling skills lest my fishing-centric readership tune out.

Thigh aka kneee straps help a lot, but as you can see from the photos of Jim Sammons I posted, you can get by without them if you choose where and when to land judiciously. Thigh straps are best for people who surf.

thigh straps are light and inexpensive. i think it prudent for kayakanglers to at least keep a pair in the front hatch in case you get to the beach and it looks ugly.

Overall I believe that we really focus on the fishing and not so much on the kayaking as said before. The whole talk about thigh straps, bracing etc. really makes me want to get into the kayaking aspect a little more. That surf class everyone took in HMB looked really fun. Good on all those who took that class.  Rounding out my skills as a fisherman and kayaker sounds fun and helpful especially when thinking about surf and rivers. Very cool discussion!

Z

 Straps are great when appropriate but they dont replace basic kayaking skills and good situational awareness. Im not suggesting that we all need to learn to surf to fish from a kayak, but playing in the waves is a great way to get a education.
Most of us get dumped when we get highsided and dont know how to counter it with a brace, hipsnap, or whatever your chosen manuever may be.  The first clip is a great example of how fast it goes bad once you reach the point of dynamic rollover. The trick is not to get to that point.
 

Thanks Z for posting the original clips, even though my comments have some NCKA members thinking I am an ass, it left me inspired to get off my bass,head to the salt, and get back in the zone.
Ill be waiting for "normality" to return out there first since an injury isnt part of my plan these days.
Maybe this thread will inspire another NCKA day or weekend at the beach specifically for waveplay and hydrolic awareness.

1 last point and ill be done with this rant.
 the yard sales are a great marketing tool for the old school T160.

You guys make some good points. I'm a far better angler than I am a paddler so, I won't be able to add too much to this discussion. I just hope, whether you use them or not, that you know your own abilities and practice a little common sense before you launch. If it's too big out there, stay on the beach. The ocean can be unforgiving...

Be safe out there,

Freddie

LOL, Adam...  that was a good day nontheless.  The Sweater Snatcher!  I learned a bit, had some good food and company afterwards. 

Notice I'm leaning back, knowing that is what you're supposed to do, but I'm glad Jmairey came along and showed me how it's done.

I have to say it was good to see Sean on the beach before I saw bubbles.

I was running down there first!, but had to stop to "fire-up" the camera, when Sean(niceguy) passed me up!?
DUDE!...i can't WAIT TIL we MEET at the BEAN AGAIN for GoodCompany,Food and Laughs! 

I'll have my turn(s) of FUN in the SUN as well...I hope I/we walk away from everyone of them learning and laughing together!
...and you don't have to worry about gettin wet doing it the "J.M.A. way"  cuzURgonnaBE!

seeuBra'!

My Scupper has thigh straps, and I found them to be a great way to increase the amount of control over the boat. Not quite SIK but pretty close. Enough that I can throw a high brace and even roll the boat:



I'll be putting a pair on my T160 as well.

If you've never used thigh straps, or seriously paddled a SIK that was outfitted in a way that had you firmly located within the boat, then you are absolutely clueless as to what you are missing. Not very politically correct of me, but it's the honest truth. In the future, all my SOT boats that will be used in the ocean or on rivers will have them.

Entrapment hazard from thigh straps is likely to be less than the immensely popular paddle leash. But of course, if you've never released yourself from thigh straps, because you've never used them, you wouldn't understand. Hey! There's my new sig!

Regards,
Scott

Scott......that place.....where you are standing with your fish:

It looks EXACTLY like the northernmost "Bolinas Ridge" launch at low tide....the one that is just NORTH of Duxbury Reef.....in fact the broken formation of rocks extending oceanward could be exactly Duxbury Reef.....

....the only not-matching thing(s) is/are those pink-looking fish, of-which I've never seen the like from Lat-38 near-in-shore waters.

Where, pray tell, are you standing for that picture???

Judd

Judd,

Mitchell Cove in Santa Cruz. Here's the report from last May:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,8476.0.html

Scott

My Scupper has thigh straps, and I found them to be a great way to increase the amount of control over the boat. Not quite SIK but pretty close. Enough that I can throw a high brace and even roll the boat:

If you've never used thigh straps, or seriously paddled a SIK that was outfitted in a way that had you firmly located within the boat, then you are absolutely clueless as to what you are missing.

ST, I'm down! I'm not really sure if thigh straps are for me so dropping dough on them has got me a little leery. Do you think making my own version would work? Or is there a real science to them? Very interested in the control you say that you gain. Also, do you keep them on when regularly paddling?

Z

Zee, I use these ones.  They're pretty basic ... just some 3" webbing with clips on the end and a buckle in the middle.  You can get them for $24.



Of course you can go all out and get the padded deluxe model for a lot more.



You know where you can borrow a pair, right?   

-Allen

Do you have a link to get the $24 version,

Do you have a link to get the $24 version,

$24 ... http://oceankayak.stores.yahoo.net/basknestrap.html

$27 ... http://topkayaker.net/TopKayakerShop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=405&currency=USD

$33 ... http://topkayaker.net/TopKayakerShop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=94&currency=USD

$46 ... http://topkayaker.net/TopKayakerShop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=66&currency=USD


-Allen

Also, do you keep them on when regularly paddling?

Z

Z,

I wear them when I want the extra control they provide. Leaned turns are much easier with them. If there's chop from abeam, I'll be much more secure in the boat. They're not just for surf landing.

Scott