LIP GRIPPER The Ultimate
Kayak & Canoe Trolley C-Tug Trolley
The New Zealand made C-TUG is the best, most versatile and durable kayak
trolley on the market. It carries up to 120kg (300lbs), dismantles in under 20 seconds to fit into a 10” hatch & won’t corrode.
www.c-tug.net Phone Toll free: 1-877-231-5711 KanuLock-US-AD-Kayak2.pdf 1 28/06/13 3:54 PM [S K I LLS]
SURF’S UP! A
surf launch can be equal parts chaos and comedy. Big waves, powerful currents and rolling whitewater can flip and toss a kay- ak angler. No worries. Here are seven tips to get you through the impact zone.
BE PREPARED
Prepare all gear before leaving the beach. Tie the anchor down to the kayak and secure the rope with twist ties. Use bungees to lash down tackle trays. Stow rods and reels below deck. If they won’t fit in your hatch, remove the reels and strap the rods flat to the deck with bungee cords. Don’t leave the rods sticking up where they can break.
SIZE IT UP M Y Y Y STRAIGHT SHOOTER
Always keep the kayak pointed towards on- coming waves; sitting sideways in the surf zone can spell disaster. If you get caught parallel to the breakers, all is not lost. Keep the boat upright by leaning into the oncom- ing wave and extending the paddle to press the blade on top of the whitewater (get the lowdown on how to brace in the Spring 2012 issue,
www.rapidmedia.com/0062). Leaning into an oncoming wave may seem counter- intuitive, but it is the only way to keep your sunglasses dry.
44 …KAYAK ANGLER SUMMER/FALL 2013
Before charging the surf, stand on the shore with the paddle in one hand and the bow handle in the other. Take time to assess the wave pattern by looking for lulls between sets of larger waves. When you spot a lull, charge through the shore break. Don’t underestimate these first waves, they are powerful enough to flip the kayak and knock you down. Once you reach waist deep water, jump in the kayak and start to paddle.
PUNCH THROUGH BREAKERS LIKE A PRO BY JEFF HERMAN
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
When approaching a breaker, aim the kayak either at the whitewater after the wave breaks, or hit the shoulder of the wave ahead of the peak. While paddling up the face of the wave, lean back so the bow rises. At the crest of the wave, lean forward to bring the bow down on the back side.
OH $#IT!
To make it through the crest of a breaking wave, paddle like hell. Not only will paddling maintain forward momentum, but pulling a blade through the water actually increases stability. In the impact zone, shield your body by rotating a shoulder forward and tucking your head to reduce exposure to the oncom- ing wave.
SPIN CYCLE
If the kayak flips, get out of the way. There’s no way to stop one hundred pounds of gear and plastic from churning in the surf. Once the wave has passed, flip the kayak upright and swim around to the stern. Stay on the deep- water side and let the waves wash the kayak into the beach while trying to keep the stern facing into the whitewater. Don’t try to fight the boat in the washing machine—you won’t win. Once back on the beach, assess the damage, empty the water and decide if the conditions warrant a second attempt.
PLAY FOR PRACTICE
It takes practice to master the surf launch. Be- fore jumping in a loaded boat and attempting to charge the surf for the first time, learn to time the waves, punch through breakers, side surf and recover from a wipe-out in an empty boat. Spending time learning to surf launch might save your gear, your dignity and your hide.
REDUCE IMPACT. PHOTO: JEFF HERMAN
AS THE WAVE HITS, ROTATE YOUR BODY TO
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80