Santa Cruz or Capitola?

What do you think guys? First launch in several years. How is the swell/ fishing out there? Anyone going tomorrow?

There is a riptide advisory in effect all weekend. 6' swells with a long period. Not exactly the timing for a rusty launch. If you do go please play it safe. Good luck.

Crap! Thanks for the warning, maybe I'll go to Del Valle and practice my kayak re-entry. Never have done that. Anyone down to watch a fat man that cant swim very well right side his kayak for the first time?

If you can't swim very well that's what you should do before getting out to the ocean at all! I've practiced a few times myself. It helps confidence a lot.

You are correct sir! Wouldn't know how to do it. Is there a video on this site to show how or is it dependent on the type of yak you have?

I wouldn't say it's dependent. Some are easier than others, however. I find it easy to turn a yak over, and once I figured it out, it was easy to get back in. I'm a big guy but I'm also a strong guy so I can support my own weight easily.

I couldn't tell you what to do, I didn't watch any videos I just waded until I couldn't stand up anymore, then played around with different entries and exits. For me even with my beast Predator 13 it's easy for me to reach over and flip it. I know people who can't, and use a rope attachment to flip it over. Probably the best thing to do is stay shallow and see what problems you are having, them come ask questions about what you're struggling with.

I would be happy to show you how to right a kayak (my one way out of many ways) and get in at Shadow Cliffs around 5-6pm Monday to Friday since that place is only a 10 minute drive for me. However I am also completely deaf, so you may find me difficult to communicate with if I can not read your lips or you can not understand my voice.

Maybe just a demonstration if I have trouble will help. Best advise I got was to just go out and see what I struggle with. Thanks for the help and I will hit you up if I need help. Thanks!

I've seen a few YouTube videos that demonstrate how to self rescue. It's a good starting point for seeing different techniques / strategies that might work for you. Goodluck

Went to Lake Del Valle,
The yakking went great, took a little getting used to fishing again while controlling the yak. Didn't hook anything but the bottom But the strippers where boiling the bait fish all day. Fisherman were hooking several strippers keeper size.