Surf Class on March 4

OK, I'll start the thread because I was jazzed! Although the surf with itty bitty (my kind of water!) yesterday, we had a GREAT day practicing new techniques. I wiped out on my landing but was in good company! My pix are too numerous to post here so you'll have to visit my photo website to see them--go to the  "Kayak Fishing" gallery at www.jamas.smugmug.com

Thanks to all who made this class possible! Even this "surf chicken" would do it again.

Janice aka "Big J"

http://www.jamas.smugmug.com/gallery/2546405
Took me awhile to locate the clinic photo's but found them. Great looking sight Jan your a lucky lady and I hope you don't mind me posting this. Had a great time with everyone and like Janice would do it again but would stow away my rods it was beautiful out there. Will post pictures later.

Thanks for the photos. I think you caught one of the few times I made it all the way in.
I had a lot of fun with you and learned a few things, now I need to practice them a lot. 
One thing I learned is that even with small surf I'm going to dump it pretty often for a while.


For the benefit of those who couldn't make it yesterday...  Other things I learned (some are pretty obvious, but bear mental review before landing):
  Unleash paddle, don't leave leash or other stuff dangling. If fall off, hold onto paddle and "swim" with it back to yak.
  Choose the right beach (not steep) and swell conditions (small, small period)- I wonder how often that will match where and when I want to fish?
  Study the waves and choose carefully, it's hard to abort.
  Line up to go in the direction the wave is going, not necessarily 90 deg. to the beach, mostly around here you'll be going a little to the right.
  Ride the back of the wave, maybe with the nose a little over the peak.
  If get turned, from 11-1 o'clock, you can probably get straight again. At 10 and 2, you'll need to ride the wave in sideways, if so, "moon" the beach - lift that side up and lean into the curl some. At 9 and 3, prepare to dump.
  If you get on the front side of the wave, lean back to keep from "pearling in", try to keep it straight by paddling, enjoy the ride and hope it lasts all the way in.
  Don't linger in the impact zone.
  Always dismount (or try to fall) on the ocean side of the yak.   Stay on the ocean side of that weapon at all times.
  Thigh braces could help turning on the wave.

On the way out:
  Unleashed, as above.
  Just power out, not many tricks except timing the waves.
  My P15 yak's wells were up to the brim with water after going through a wave, making it very hard to keep moving, so just be prepared for that going-slow sensation.            Someone in a Tarpon said he had 4 scupper holes in the cockpit and wasn't having that problem.
  "Pierce" the wave with your paddle as the wave breaks over you - whatever side the paddle is on, move it so it's parallel to the direction of the yak. Don't hold it it front of your body/head across the boat. Lean forward as the wave hits.

 

Had a BLAST with all of you!
I learned that when i do plan to go out on the BIG POND? I will be checking the swell size....if it is BIGGER than a few feet?...I ain't going!

Thanks to the TEACHERS and Mooch for setting this up......i needed to learn to RIGHT WAY to PADDLE my craft with the proper technique and poise!   also self-abort and re-get-back-on-top-of-it!

Awesome pictures Janice.  Wish I could have made it    I'll have to sign up for another class sometime soon.

Awesome pictures Janice.  Wish I could have made it    I'll have to sign up for another class sometime soon.

Yeah, I wondered whether you would be joining us.  Bummer!  Next time.  Even though I'm a paddler first and a fisher(wo)man second, the training was a welcome refresher.  I have relatively good paddling stroke technique, but, man, I can't seem to shake that fear of surf landings.    I guess the answer is practice, practice, practice...  So, yes, I'll join another class, too.

Janice aka "Big J"

Thanks for the great details everyone. I would have loved to make this but it was'nt to be. Sounds like a great learning/play day!

For the benefit of those who couldn't make it yesterday...  Other things I learned (some are pretty obvious, but bear mental review before landing):
  Unleash paddle, don't leave leash or other stuff dangling. If fall off, hold onto paddle and "swim" with it back to yak.
 

Nice photos. Looks like it was a blast.

Yes, on surf landings it's really important to secure all tools that are hanging by bungee cords or stretch leashes, like pliers, lip grippers, etc. If the kayak rolls, the cords will wrap around your leg and cause a potential disaster.

If the kayak rolls, the cords will wrap around your leg and cause a potential disaster.

A helmet is a necessity, too, to protect you when you roll. My boat hit my head/helmet yesterday when I was dumped so my hard headed is still intact!

J.

Hey Mooch, any chance Aquan will be putting on another class for those of us who couldn't make it?

First of all, I'd like to thank Vince Pao from Aquan Sports, Leslie Palotas  Bryan Guzman, Mike Mead, Hani Juha, Cynthia Royer and Karl Royer = a really great group of top notch instructors that made this all possible. Month's before, Chuck and I spoke to Vince about doing a simple "swimming pool class" but it just seemed more appealing to have the class in a "real world" situation. We wanted to do this class for one simple reason: To make sure no NCKA'er gets hurt. We sometimes don't have the luxury of launching in safe Harbors and so getting familiar with the proper techniques will and can help keep us safe from a very unpredictable coast line.

I also want to thank all those who took the time to take the class. It was also nice meeting some new faces as well!

What did I learn?

After 7 years of paddling my fishing craft, I finally got to re-learn how paddle with feathered blades - great for windy conditions. I got to practice self rescue in open waters which is a whole different animal from a nice calm warm water lake   I leared how to brace into a wave properly AND CONFIDENTLY. I must have made a dozen or more surf landings and I crashed and rolled pretty bad in the beginning. The instructors were very helpful and patient with everyone. And the end of the lesson, I felt more comfortable and was able to land with no worries at all   I even tried to impress Leslie   by demo-ing my backwards Landing FOUR TIMES without ever tumbling on the surf zone  ...but I guess she's done it a million times with her eyes closed I also learned that if you ever dump your yak on the surf zone, DO NOT STAND UP OR SWIM UP TO THE SURFACE RIGHT AWAY.....try to stay under just a little longer so you don't knock you head on the yak THAT MAY STILL BE ON TOP OF YOU   I'm glad I was wearing a brain bucket because I DID hit my head a few times   Another lesson learned: when paddling: if your stomach muscles are not hurting (or getting a work-out) at the end of the day, that means you've been using your arm muscles instead - which is not an efficient way of paddling.

The conditions at HMB were EPIC. There was no wind at all   We could not have picked a more beautiful day  to practice I was wearing my 3mm farmer john, booties and a rash guard under it and I was comfortable all day!

Hey Mooch, any chance Aquan will be putting on another class for those of us who couldn't make it?

If we can get another 10 to 15 people interested, I'd be more than happy to talk to Vince into getting another session done 

da gathering.....

introductions...."Hi, my name is Joel....I kayak fish.....and I'm single"

Leslie  explaining the five general rules of......hmmm, don't ask me - I was not paying attention as I was too busy admiring her