Wanna learn how to kayak surf?

I spoke to Chris (co-owner) of Half Moon Bay Kayak Company and asked if we (NCKA) can get a special group rate.

$100.00 per person - 6 students per class - includes SOT surf kayaks (Cobra Kayaks) paddle, PFD and Helmet (farmer johns availble if needed)

As soon as we can get 6 students, I'll get hold of him for a scheduled class.....so who's in?

Me! 

1. Joel

Sounds like a smashing good time... does the class include q-tips to get the sand out of those hard to reach places? 

My weekends look fairly uncluster-ef'd for the next few weekends so keep me posted...

Funny you should post this topic: once out of the water at Bean Hollow today Walker remarked that he thought he might save up some $ to buy a surf kayak for conditions like today. His thinking is that when the conditions too rough for fishing he could get in the water anyway and surf kayak. At the very least a good skill to work on. Keep us posted on when. I think Scott should sign up too, he all ready has the helmet!!
Steve

just get a surfboard.  it's not that hard. and a lot safer for everybody around you.

just get a surfboard.  it's not that hard. and a lot safer for everybody around you.

J...there's enough surfers already

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just get a surfboard.  it's not that hard. and a lot safer for everybody around you.We have surfboards, been surfing for 45 years and I understand the kayak vs surfer friction very well. I agree they don't mix all that well. But, in the right place at the right time it is another way to play on the water and having a quiver full of skills is only a good thing.
Steve

I'm ready to go. I ought to get a new surfing paddle, but I have helmet & yak.

just get a surfboard.  it's not that hard. and a lot safer for everybody around you.

Now now, no need to add to the friction. It's all about control & wave etiquette out there, nothing more.

Joel,

How much do I save if I don't want to rent gear? I have a suitable kayak, spray skirt, floatbags, paddle, helmet etc... I also have no desire what so ever to learn in some boat I'll never use again.

Scott

It's just that there is always some idiot that did not get the memo that kayak and surfboards cannot safely share the same waves typically.

it should be brought up any time people are invited to surf on kayaks. especially beginners.

It's just that there is always some idiot that did not get the memo that kayak and surfboards cannot safely share the same waves typically.

it should be brought up any time people are invited to surf on kayaks. especially beginners.

So who decides who can surf what and where?

I'm up for this class, if I can make it work with my schedule.

Rick

So who decides who can surf what and where?

Probably best to check with Mark at KC or the guys at Adventure Sports. I know I often see yaks surfing at Davenport (but only on the one side, away from the surfers) and I once surfed the beach south of HMB. I think any beach break would provide some fun. I've tried surfing at a point near SC, but it was just too short & steep for my longboard style yak.
It seems like a lot of the problem with yaks & boards is that that there doesn't seem to be as much of a learning curve on a yak, so people think since they can paddle the thing, they can surf it. This totally cuts out the whole concept of wave etiquette.
I've been lucky, and the few times I've lost my yak surfing there were no other surfers in proximity. Of course, this is also because I typically chose places that weren't that popular with the hardcore surf crowd or I would go dawn patrol style & beat the crowd.
I am certainly no expert though. I haven't surfed much up here, and usually only go a few times a year down in SoCal, usually on Thanksgiving & Christmas.
I do REALLY enjoy it though.

I would go dawn patrol style & beat the crowd.

So does this mean if I'm the first on the spot, I can continue my kayak (beginner) surf sessions without being harrased by the surfers?

It's just that there is always some idiot that did not get the memo that kayak and surfboards cannot safely share the same waves typically.

it should be brought up any time people are invited to surf on kayaks. especially beginners.

So who decides who can surf what and where?

There's a safety factor that everybody should consider before entering the water and that should decide who and where. Don't undersetimate the danger you present as a beginner weilding a craft that does not handle the same way as a surfboard. Because of the bouyancy, yaks get pushed around and out of control in the whitewater creating a hazard to anyone in their path.  Your also carrying a paddle that could whack or slice at someone if it got away.  This is all from observation at the SC kayak surf contest this past winter and a couple guys I've seen at Sunset not something I'm hyperanalyzing on the net cause thats how I get my kicks. There's a heirarchy on the water, if you can't understand it you shouldn't be out there.  As someone who surfs sporadically throughout the year I know my place in the lineup whatever beach I'm surfing and I don't cry about the injustice of people thinking they own the ocean or because they drop in on me.

There's plenty of places in the bay area you can get waves just realize that your craft can be dangerous, avoid crowds till you know what you're doing and don't hog everything that rolls underneath you.  I'm not knocking the sport, I'd say the same things to anyone who was just learning to surf.  

There's plenty of places in the bay area you can get waves

Just so I dont' piss off the hierarchy, name me a few places where I can kayak surf safely as a beginner - appreciate the info.