"only about a foot of water"
Thanks - that helps clarify the conditions.
Manners?
I haven’t used any offensive language. I believe I have stayed within the perameters of this forum. In fact, I think some of the responses to my posts have been a little overly zealous, but my “manners” have been OK. I think you just disagree strongly with my point of view on some things and consider disagreement the same as bad mnanners. Maybe in your neck of the woods, that is normal. Not where I come from.
By the way, this post wasn’t meant to be a “sea story”. I leave the stories up to all you experts out there who must have as many sea stories as you do fish stories. I would love to see someone with expertise, like Greyak, successfully take on those waves in his Q700. I would NOT want to see anyone lose it. That sand bottom is very hard.
There’s a difference between playing
in the surf, and being skilled at safely landing an launching a sea kayak through the surf. I would think the tarpon would be better suited for playing in the surf and practicing, until you have more confidence. However, I do think it’s a good idea for anyone who paddles in the ocean to try and devlop at least a good working knowledge and some rudimentary skills for how to be safe in the surfzone, just in case you need to land for some reason.
For me at least, this was one of those skills that I set aside some class time for. I was more comfortable practicing, knowing someone was keeping an eye on me, and helping from the shore. I also feel more comfortable trusting myself to lean towards the wave, so that even if I don’t sucessfully brace and stay upright on the way in, I will be separated from my sink in a way that is relatively safe-at least in the dinky 1-3 ft. surf I am likely to find myself in:)
I Stand Corrected
– Last Updated: May-24-04 4:22 PM EST –
Actually, your tone is always civil, Jim. I must say that. And I do appriciate it.
But I think you do intentionaly try and cause dissention. That may be the cause of some of the strong reactions you get.
Just a thought...
As for my sea stories..... my best ones have nothing to do with kayaking....
About that sandy bottom. I figured out it was hard when I busted my first long board about 35 years ago.
I have been trying to make myself
practice a little more this year, because it’s clear i am going to be paddling solo more and more (due to my schedule and the fact that I really enjoy longer paddles as well) However, I am going through paddling withdrawal!
I have to say, turning it into some sort of a fun event, like a practice followed by a short paddle or potluck helps. Some of recently got together and practiced in a warm water lake where we camped and ate like kings! I think making this an annual event in the spring, with another practice date in the fall, in between everyone’s summer vacations and trips, is the way to go.
Expertise?
Never made any claims of “expertise” on these boards - prefer the lifelong student mentality.
I know what I know - but more importantly - I know what I can actually do is far less than what I know ABOUT doing - AND know how to use the latter to improve the former. Big difference, and one that will equalize over time with experience.
From your description - you probably won’t see me there in those waves. I prefer more water under my keel! Playing in even small waves in 1 foot deep water is a good way to eat sand.
As many have said - it happens - and I certainly have no special immunity to capsizes for any number of reasons, stumbles getting in/out, etc!
Actually - we are now tied for unplanned capsizes in our Q700s at one each.
Mine was after paddling 15 miles. The first 3 ICW and through Port E - the rest Atlantic from Ft L to (almost) Lighthouse point - in average 15 kt with 2-4 - close period - beam and rear quartering. Not big stuff - but tiring after 3 hours. I was very new to the boat (3rd paddle) and just got tired and overheated. Dunk actually helped. That day was pushing it - and a little stupid (but within safe margins) - but really helped as a shakedown cruise!
What would you call "long distance"
and where do you do that? Just for perspective on how and where you paddle your Q700 and to maybe scope out new areas - not to debate/degrade/whatever.
No intentional dissention
Believe me, if I wanted to create dissention, you would know it. In fact I am surprised at how little it takes to set some people off on this forum. I feel like I am walking on egg shells when I post sometimes. There is a lot of passion and ego here which makes for interesting reading but also causes some mis interpretation and bad feelings. I bear no ill will towards anyone. After all, how bad can any person be if they paddle kayaks?
Here Here!!
I agree that we should make it a bi-annual event. Spring and Fall.
Self fulfilling prophecy.
– Last Updated: May-24-04 6:46 PM EST –
"I saw the thing coming and it was like watching a car accident in slow motion. I knew this one would take me." And so take you it did. Body follows head. What it's seeing physically and mentally. If your mental image of the outcome is going over than most likely you'll go over. Next time picture yourself slicing a bottom turn and piroette off the backside :D
Alan
Email me some fall weekend dates that
might work for you and your family and I’ll see about getting a couple of sites at Del Valle for one or two nights. I probably won’t get around to it until after I get back from New Orleans (work related vacation:)
SurfZone Skills
It will be a total change for me to try and develop surfzone skills. For years I have gotten by just because I am comfortable there as long as I can swim.
First impressions
Your entry to PNet with that Sponson thread was as spectacular as your wipeout. Expect some razzing.
Razzing
I am always surprised, though, at which subjects elicit the razzing. If I were to make an outrageous statement like “ANYONE WHO PADDLES A SINK GREATER THAN 21” WIDE IS A WUSS" then I would expect some negative feedback against my person.
But when I describe a wipe out in shoulder high beam surf in 15MPH winds while paddling my 21" beam boat, I really didn’t expect that to stir up such ire against me personally. After all, I am pretty sure that could happen to almost anyone. Some of the responses were just personal . I am not sure how to deal with those personal attacks since they are really off the subject., or even if it is worth it to do so. I just don’t have enough bile in me to react in like kind. Personal attacks are also a waste of time and I don’t know any paddler here well enough to dislike him/her. Best thing to do is take it all with a grain of salt and spit back occasionally just for fun.
Salt
Yeah - just go with your last line.
Personal? If you think people questioning your surf reporting ability is personal - than so be it L.
You made it seem like this simple occurrence was some sort of an epic event - not us - and that’s bound to draw some curiosity and questioning - at least from the locals.
Re-looking at the thread, I don’t see much in the way of personal attacks really - but then again maybe “flojo” can be interpreted many ways!
If you see this stuff as personal - you must need to feel you’re important enough to think you warrant such attention. Surely reporting a little flip won’t do that.
Amazing how differently we think on most things - seeing how I grew up in some of the same areas (Westerville age 4-8, Sunbury age 8-12, - plus Sandusky as a baby and Westlake as a pre-schooler). Don’t remember folks in Ohio being like you - but I was a kid - and probably a decade or so younger/later. All the other places since Ohio have had an impact too.
I hear ya
I thought the same thing afterwards. Body follows head. But I really did NOT want to go over, believe me! I am actually a little mad at that wave the more I think about it and I am going back with my QCC to challenge another one like it.
Self importance? Of course!
It WAS a significant event for me and I reported the conditions pretty exactly. …shallow water, 15 mph winds and breakers above the shoulder. No exagerations, no self important manifestos, nothing contoversial. And I ended with a request for guidance. Read it again.
Something about my post bothers you or interests you enough to make 8 (count 'em) 8 responses. And my “little flip” was at least entertaining enough to draw well over 30 other responses, some of which included the advice I was looking for. Others, after a little reflection, had entertainment value for me, including yours. I’d say this was a fun little diversion, just like the flip.
long distance
is a relative term…I like to circumnavigate Radiboob key, key biscayne, the Bogey route. I paddle as hard as I can for 3 to 4 hours with one or two short breaks…a few minutes each.
Entertainment indeed
Me Too!
That Del Valle trip was a great idea. The lakes up at higher elevations is the Sierras never really get warm enough to be comfortable.
Beardsley is not bad, but they eliminated the camping along the north side of the lake.
I wonder about a kayak camping trip at Beardsley? But I better not post anything without talking to Kathy first…