Tricked out kayaks Hitting the water - Wavelength Paddling Magazine

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Options are made with onside lean, as opposed to leaning away from a stern rudder as sea kayakers do to avoid broaching. When they capsize, I don’t feel so bad. It often takes a several attempts to flip over the flat, finned bottom, often ending with a scull. If rolling a sea kayak is like rolling a log, rolling a surf boat looks more like flipping over a sheet of plywood. Surf kayakers also usually seek different conditions than sea kayaks, or even whitewater boats playing in the surf. The desirable condition is an offshore wind, which will steepen and shorten the incoming waves—exactly the opposite of what I’d look for if I wanted to surf in my “short” 16-foot sea kayak, which demands longer wavelengths. Using steeper waves also means a new type of etiquette. Since I’ve mostly surfed whitewater or sea kayaks, I found that I didn’t conflict much with board surfers, since we were looking for different waves and used different sections of the break. In surf boats, you’re using the exact same spots as board surfers. After all, you’re basically on a surfboard with a cockpit. You Chris Bensch surfs a broken wave at Cape Kiwanda, Oregon. still have a lot more maneuverability than they do – you have a paddle and an easier time getting into position. “It’s important to understand a few things,” says Chris. “First, when we’re waiting for a wave, we have a tendency to paddle back and forth, since it’s more stable. This makes them nervous. “Second, they work hard to paddle out, and they can’t accelerate as quick, so they may be waiting out there for as long as 30 minutes for a wave. So wait your turn.” Lastly, never drop on someone who’s already on a wave, and stay clear when paddling out. When in doubt, turn and paddle toward the broken part of the wave. Folks riding the wave in will be surfing the shoulder in the other direction. By the end of the morning I’m exhausted and feel anything but competent. But new approaches are never easy, and this is no exception. I’m certainly envious of the moves my friends have been able to make, and the grace they show doing it. Then I get back into my whitewater boat to paddle back. It really does feel supremely stable, slow, and forgiving. Kind of like paddling a sofa. < Neil Schulman has been told that paddling a surf kayak is kind of like driving a racing car, but he’ll have to take your word for it. He lives in Portland, Oregon. 34 WAVELENGTH MAGAZINE WINTER 2010
Kayak-Friendly Accommodation Kayak-Friendly Accommodation Explore the BC coast by day, enjoy luxury by night at these locations that cater to kayakers. Two Homesites for sale on Nootka Island, West Vancouver Island Buy a share in a private 60 acre island Paddle in and paddle out Deluxe beachfront house by the wharf. Two-bedroom luxury cottage, floor-to-ceiling windows, living room with gas fireplace, full kitchen, two bathrooms including jetted tub, wrap around deck, bbq. Phone: 250-285-2042 Web: www.capemudgeresort.bc.ca Email: info@capemudgeresort.bc.ca Two acres waterfront with a small cozy cabin: $195,000 One acre waterfront: $95,000 For more info see www.Nuchatlitz.ca or www.SeaOtterIsland.com cvec17@hotmail.com or 250-334-2375 E-Den Bed & Breakfast Escape to Lasqueti’s new B&B, nearby to Jedediah Island Marine Park. Features tandem kayak rentals, kitchenette and bathroom, wood fired hot tub, yoga studio, solar power, organic farm and orchard. Phone: 250-240-8246 Web: www.e-den.ca Email: kayak@e-den.ca WINTER 2010 WAVELENGTH MAGAZINE 35
Page 1 and 2: WaveLength Explore coastlines, expl
Page 3 and 4: Contents This month’s features: R
Page 5 and 6: WINTER 2010 WAVELENGTH MAGAZINE 5
Page 7 and 8: News How dirty is our coastline? Pl
Page 11 and 12: Ireland Paddling with a shamrock Im
Page 13 and 14: Ireland The spectacular Cliffs of M
Page 15 and 16: Solomon Islands way the chief would
Page 17 and 18: Solomon Islands “At night they ba
Page 19 and 20: Solomon Islands For more informatio
Page 21 and 22: Tours and Services Tours and Servic
Page 23 and 24: Beer Bread and Chowder Coastal seaf
Page 25 and 26: Our Tricked-Out Kayaks One of the g
Page 27 and 28: Our Tricked-Out Kayaks Electric bil
Page 29 and 30: Our Tricked-Out Kayaks Disadvantage
Page 33: Surf Kayaking Student and instructo
Page 37 and 38: Surf Kayaking 101 Here’s what you
Page 39 and 40: Standup paddleboards legs never got
Page 41 and 42: Flares to help them pinpoint your l
Page 43 and 44: The Hand of God very easy to roll t
Page 45 and 46: Rainforest Chronicles WE HAD BEEN s

Tricked out kayaks Hitting the water - Wavelength Paddling Magazine

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