Sands of Sorrow - Which launches impose the priciest tolls?

It's not a matter of if but when Neptune will demand his due. On the paddle out but more often on the dicey dance in, the old man with the trident requires periodic tribute. Where are his tolls on tackle, fish, and most of all pride the steepest?

Where are the Sands of Sorrow? Any beach can be a bastard, but which common (although advanced) launches cause the most havoc? I'm looking for stories and photos for a future newspaper or magazine article.

For starters, I'm going with Limekiln and Bean Hollow. Does Elk rate? If anyone is familiar with Malibu, how 'bout County Line?

Thanks!

I launch into super FAC water only if possible!   

But I'd be glad to go do some field work, launching into and landing on some crap for the sake of photos/videos!  Let me know, Paul, if you'll have a need for media such as that.

Eric

PAL- One other launch I forgot since it hasn't gone off in a while was Linda Mar.  During the magic salmon year there it claimed many many OG NCKA members.

Looking forward to the article.

Davenport, Bean, Linda Mar, Carmel River ( ask the mooch!), Manresa/sunset back in the salmon days.

Hi Yakers:


           I have rolled at Linda Mar and the Shores in LaJolla.
                                                                               Ernie

I've been hammered at Oceanside with overhead sets, sometimes we could gauge the sets and frequency and get through a small window in the break, other times it would re-group as we came in and wreak havoc, kinda like it was laying in wait or something....

I went to Sand City and one day there was this little 18" roller washing up so I decided to come back the next weekend and it was double overhead. Did not go in there!

I vote LK due to the rock garden.

The Running Man

Monastery Beach in Carmel. Very steep shorebreak followed by washing-machine action. They had to post some warning signs earlier this year after a few folks died there.

Nothing I know of compares to Bean Hollow.  I've launched all up and down the Northern Coast here and the Bean always stands out as one of the best places to get pummeled. 

Although, there is a story afloat about myself, Jon Airey and an unnamed NCKA member we'll just have to call Seal Rock Lover.  There was never a report but it happened in late july of this year when the three of us paddled out at Seal Rock just below the cliff house in less than favorable conditions.  I swam 3 times on the way out as I kept getting washed by breaking waves that were at least 4 to 5 foot faces and consistently hitting the beach.

The three of us launched to go after halibut but had no luck out there even though the tides were perfect for that particular spot at that time of year.  It was on the way in where things went oh so tragically bad.  Jon Airey and I timed the chaos pretty good and made it through some gnarly sets, but the last guy fared oh so bad and was separated from both yak and paddle.  He then climbed on to seal rock and fed some baby seagulls while resting himself for a paddleboard ride into shore. 

Seal Rock @ Ocean beach is probably one of the most gnarliest spots to paddle out at in my experience.  I still cringe when I recall the memories of that day.  And chuckle a little....

Here's a classic pic from bean hollow...

Nothing I know of compares to Bean Hollow.  I've launched all up and down the Northern Coast here and the Bean always stands out as one of the best places to get pummeled. 

I'd have to agree. I'm more attentive when landing at Bean than anywhere else I normally fish. I've sort-of wiped at a few spots, just with minimal gear loss and nothing like in Bills vid. I always saved the spectacular wipeouts for when I was kayak surfing (swallowed a lot of saltwater that way, but always kinda...um...liked it) .

Here's a classic pic from bean hollow...

I can practically see the giant, comic script "KA-POW!" emblazoned on that pic! That's a sweet one JTF...

i had a big time wipe-out at BH about 1-1/2 months ago, and it wasn't pretty.
at least the guy in the pic has the perfect posture...sitting straight up and facing the inevitable!!! 

Davenport, Bean, Linda Mar, Carmel River ( ask the mooch!), Manresa/sunset back in the salmon days.

...and let's not forget La Jolla....in a foot of surf....wearing blue jeans and a knitted sweater from LL Bean

JTF-that photo is BRUTAL!

Nice Pic JTF... we all know what comes next.

I have taken my biggest pummelings at Linda Mar (during the year of the salmon).  I remember having my O-Crap moment getting rocked by not one but two sets of breakers on the way in that year with about 100 surfers and 300 beach goers watching.  Pure grace...

I recall Mooch backing it in through the surf, which worked well to a point as I recall.  I also remember watching Hobie-Wan Kenobie (Elric) surf his little bitty Hobie Sport in like it was nothing using nothing but his rudder... luck or skill... we'll never know but it was cool.

I recall a later incident at LM where Mooch and Selli where backing down. They did not time it so well this time and did a back flip, bow over stern, double wipeout. A real LM classic.