Surf Zone and Wave Dynamics Class @ HMB Kayak

I will be taking Chris's Surf Zone and Wave Dynamics Class at HMB Kayak with a friend next Saturday (Aug. 20th).
If you have taken this or a similar class before, please let me know if you have any suggestions to maximize the lesson or how to prepare for the class.
I hope I will be better prepared for surf launching and landing after this class.

Thank you.

Paul

Although it was years ago, and done as a group exercise (believe now it's 1:1 or private group) I've attended about 4 sessions from MBK.  They were invaluable to me in understanding proper kayaking technique, launching/landing, launching through the surf zone and re-entry and safety.  They go over everything you could ask for really, and used to also give pointers for kayak fishing or gear stowage, etc.  Not sure if they still do it, but they used to have the thigh straps on the P13's they would train us on and that is a eye opener for sure.  Let me know if they still do that for your session and how you feel about it afterwards.   

A coworker of mine took a class with Chris and he said it was the best $300 he has ever spent for a 4 hr 1:1 class. He wrote about his experience on a Yelp review. I think Chris assesses your experience level, and then tailors the class to what you already know/don't know.

+1 on the thigh straps, I have a set if you would like to borrow them.

+1 on the thigh straps, I have a set if you would like to borrow them.

Hi Mark

Thank you for your offer but I will pass this time.
I don't want to carry an additional item in my kayak which is already overloaded.

Paul

Paul, you'll have a great time, Chris is a pro. Loeb's and I took this same class in spring. Chris spends a good chunk of time going over tides and wave dynamics first before you paddle out and around the jaws and head to the beach. Dress to be submerged and strip your kayak. Read up on tides and their impact on currents, waves and the impact of structure on waves.  Come well hydrated and bring water and maybe a nutrition bar onboard.

Sent from my LM-G850 using Tapatalk

Paul, you'll have a great time, Chris is a pro. Loeb's and I took this same class in spring. Chris spends a good chunk of time going over tides and wave dynamics first before you paddle out and around the jaws and head to the beach. Dress to be submerged and strip your kayak. Read up on tides and their impact on currents, waves and the impact of structure on waves.  Come well hydrated and bring water and maybe a nutrition bar onboard.

Sent from my LM-G850 using Tapatalk

Hi John

Thank you for your great tips.
I will join you soon to chase my first salmon.

Paul

I took the class from Chris (HMB Kayak owner) with Yakkin, and we learned so much.
The class started with safety and wave discussions at the HMB Kayak shop, and we headed to Surfers Beach for practices.
I was glad I took my mirage drive not to waste all my energy paddling to Surfers Beach, as I am a horrible paddler.
Both of us flipped our kayaks w/i the surf zone as we were practicing landings.  As I am teaching snowboarding, I used to tell students that if they are not falling, they are not getting better.  I was happy to flip the kayak with my water helmet.  We practiced handling our kayak in the soup zone, and I got much more confident and did not need to rush anymore.  I was able to use my paddle to lean into the wave as my kayak rotated and prevent flipping.  I am sure I will have more yard sales, but they will be much less frequent, and I will be much safer.

Chris was an outstanding instructor and very passionate about teaching.  I regret not taking this class earlier and highly recommend it to kayakers who plan to surf launch.
You can get additional information from the following website: https://www.hmbkayak.com/classes/surf-zone-and-wave-dynamics/

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Paul

Hey Paul, I know you have been wanting to do this for a long time. I’m so happy it has finally happened for you.

Right on, Paul! Glad it was a good session and lots was learned/gained.

Hey Paul, I know you have been wanting to do this for a long time. I’m so happy it has finally happened for you.

Hi Mark
Thank you for all your help and useful information.
We need to hook up soon.

Paul

Hey Paul - Nice to meet you this morning and thanks for the report on the class. I took a class like that long long ago and it was useful and fun.

Hey Paul - Nice to meet you this morning and thanks for the report on the class. I took a class like that long long ago and it was useful and fun.

Yes, it was nice to meet you too, and educational to watch those AIs launching in rough conditions.
Your Stealth handled rough swell so easily, that I dreamed about owning a stealth kayak.

Paul

I took the class from Chris (HMB Kayak owner) with Yakkin, and we learned so much.
The class started with safety and wave discussions at the HMB Kayak shop, and we headed to Surfers Beach for practices.
I was glad I took my mirage drive not to waste all my energy paddling to Surfers Beach, as I am a horrible paddler.
Both of us flipped our kayaks w/i the surf zone as we were practicing landings.  As I am teaching snowboarding, I used to tell students that if they are not falling, they are not getting better.  I was happy to flip the kayak with my water helmet.  We practiced handling our kayak in the soup zone, and I got much more confident and did not need to rush anymore.  I was able to use my paddle to lean into the wave as my kayak rotated and prevent flipping.  I am sure I will have more yard sales, but they will be much less frequent, and I will be much safer.

Chris was an outstanding instructor and very passionate about teaching.  I regret not taking this class earlier and highly recommend it to kayakers who plan to surf launch.
You can get additional information from the following website: https://www.hmbkayak.com/classes/surf-zone-and-wave-dynamics/

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Paul

What did you do with your mirage drive during the surf portion of the lesson? Just curious! The class sounds awesome and something I should definitely look into!

What did you do with your mirage drive during the surf portion of the lesson? Just curious! The class sounds awesome and something I should definitely look into!
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We placed them by the instructor's kayak which was on the shore once we landed at Surfers Beach.
For our first landing, we removed them and placed them under our rear bundgee with a safety leash.

Paul.