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Prof. Salt · Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2019 9:02 am Post subject: Another good use of the kayak

Often the winds blow too much for me to get offshore to fish, so I have been paddling around the bay after work for exercise. It has been enjoyable, but lately I kicked it up a notch by Downwind Paddling. That's the Australian term for surfing your kayak on the wind-driven swells that are around when fishing is out of the question ...and it's FUN! I launch from the marina downtown and head into the open bay with its sloppy conditions. When I line up the back of the Lexington with the predominant wave direction I turn and follow the waves while trying to get up on the wave faces to surf. Once I get to the Lex I can take refuge behind it to rest up and get some water before slogging back to the marina.

I'm hooked, and it's a great workout.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX5WfvKfXAY&t=3s

Donnie · Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2019 10:35 am Post subject:

Kick in the butt ! Thats what my son and I did when we first got kayaks - 1993-1994 - in the surf, it was a freaking blast. The big lesson - is dont lean forward, the nose digs in and you become airborne - unless you enjoy being catapulted , sometimes pretty far.
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Don - permanent prescription of salt water therapy.

Prof. Salt · Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2019 10:38 am Post subject:

You're correct, and you can see me lean back as I get up on the wave faces. I think the bay is deep enough to avoid the dreaded "telephone pole" maneuver, but it's better to play it safe and lean back anyway. It also shifts weight to the rear a little to help push the kayak down the wave.

maxthelab · Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2019 5:31 pm Post subject:

The Mrs. and I used to bring our yaks down there and play in the surf in our younger days. I have an OK Scrambler XT and she an OK Frenzy. One particularly rough trip. we were with another couple and had plenty of telephone pole moments even with leaning way back. All 4 of us looked like we had beaten with baseball bats with all the bruising. But we had a blast. I loved that feeling when you got on that wave and rode it, but when you feel that nose dip you thought, oh s#$%! Still don't like that feeling coming through the jetties with the bay boat.

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