Surf Zone Skills
1. PaddlinG out 2. CatChinG a wavE 3. ridinG thE faCE
you don’t have the option of duck-diving the idea is to match the speed of the wave. Position yourself as you rocket down the wave’s face, lean
in a kayak, so choose your exit route care- beyond the line of breakers. faster boats such as sea kayaks back slightly and perform a stern rudder
fully. Scout the beach beforehand, looking can catch non-breaking swells offshore or on the shoulder of with your paddle to slow down and wait for
for deep-water channels where breaking the surf zone—far less intimidating places to start out. look the crest of the wave to catch up. Shorter,
waves are less common. if you must punch over your shoulder as you paddle with the waves. when you more rockered sea kayaks and surf kayaks
through a breaking wave, paddle like hell, see a wave you want to catch, sit upright and paddle forward can carve turns on the face of a wave just
knife your paddle through the wave and aggressively with powerful, rapid-fire strokes as the wave lifts like board surfers. Steer with your hips and
reach for the green water on the other side. your stern. if your timing is right, your kayak will accelerate as your paddle: Edge your boat into the wave
Keep your deck free of gear. it slides down the face of the wave. if you don’t quite have the while performing a stern rudder on the
speed, you might find yourself perched on the crest. throw down-wave (opposite) side.
your weight forward and be prepared for a thrilling ride.
28 aDvENturE KaYaK | Summer/Fall 2009
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