Sea Kayak Surfing and Other Open Water Skills

Last weekend I went down to SeaKayak Carolina for the first time, in Charleston, for a Sea Kayak Surfing class. The instructor was Dale Williams, a well known surf kayak teacher. Brian and Pete were taking the class as well.

Saturday morning started out with a weather and locale briefing. Dale explained where we were going and why. This is where I found out that I had signed up for an ACA L5 course. Um. When Dale digressed for a moment I went back quickly to re-read the course announcement. Nope, no mention of L5. Way to go kiddo, dropped yourself right into the fire.

Lesson 1: next time I will *ask* what level is expected.

I had, with Brian's input, arranged to borrow this very nice Romany Surf for the class. Thanks for the loan Scott!

Mmmm, red and white, my fav boat colors too!

In the briefing room:

L to R: Dale Williams with chart of coast, Lee

These morning discussions of gear, weather, and navigation were fascinating to me. I am reading Gordon Brown's "Sea Kayaking" right now. Hoping it covers some of those topics but if not "the Sea Kayaker's Handbook" is next up and I might find more coverage there.

 Lesson 2: more to learn. I love learning, look how much more there is I need to learn! No wonder I like messing around with boats.

On the shore:

L to R Paul, Lee, Paul

Dawn aka "Sandy Bottom," Dale, Tom

Pete, Brian, Trey stretching

Heading out to the surf spot

We are just now beginning to find some waves but they aren't yet breaking or ridable

Wave rising up between us makes the first paddler look like a disembodied head

Now you can really tell we are getting into the waves

It was a few miles out to the surf spot. We rounded Fort Sumter and continued along the coast on to the right, south of the city. With the lighthouse as a landmark, down coast of us, we went out a few miles from shore to find swells. These were fast moving rollers that were hard to catch. I had many near misses or partials but got two really good rides in. Both times Dale was near me and was able to direct me on to the wave. These were both amazing rides-amazing for me anyway.

Brian pointed out tendrils of mist on the shore. Soon we had almost complete fog cover. The light house disappeared. Brian advised me what heading to look for on the compass if I had to bale and make my way back alone. I'd never paddled with a compass on the deck before, now I want one. Yeah, yeah, like all the other things I want, right?

Lesson 3 lean forward, 

Lesson 4 bring a short paddle with big blades, like the Werner CorryVrecken and paddle fast, 

Lesson 5 stay on the crest: My tendency is to lean back. Lean forward, paddle fast, let your boat settle on the crest of the wave. The boat is too long to ride down the face like a surfer on a board so the best spot for a sea kayak is right on top. Both bow and stern will be out of the water.

6th thing, let the boat turn a bit in one direction or the other as the ride is finishing. On the second wave this took me over the shoulder and now I was pointed right at the oncoming face of a similarly big wave. I didn't know what else to do so I charged right at and over it. Just as I got to the crest it started to break into my lap. I leaned forward and pushed hard, dropping neatly down the back of the wave. I repeated this maneuver several times. I enjoyed the doubt that I would make it over the wave before it broke, carrying me backwards into a reverse endo. Okay, I'm an adrenaline junkie. I already knew this.

Lunch time came and we pulled out on the beach. I botched the landing. Stuff went awry and I found myself broaching, then flipping, wet exit with really no room between me, the boat, and the sand. The already heavy Romany was full of water. Just as I got it up on the beach I coughed up some sea water and there was a perfect sand dollar nestled in the sand. Treasure. I'm okay, dry suit isn't full of water, I'm surprisingly warm. Lunch. I am not unhappy. I was a little glad I wasn't the only one who botched the landing or the take off. Better paddlers than I wiped out as well. 

We played around in the waves some more and then the long paddle back. My low point struck about 1.5 miles from our take-out. I was just on empty.

We debriefed in the parking lot and then off to the hotel for a shower. Then we went to the shop's open house, where we caught an hour long film about Dale's 2013 trip to Wales, and the NDK factory, among other things. Filmed mainly by Joe Campbell, and well edited by him, it was a blast. Just really really cool.

I slept like a rock.

Next morning, briefing, and then off to play in Elliott Cut. This is an entrance to Wappoo Creek, a place of truly fierce tidal currents. Rips really, as in "tide rips through." Here we practiced ferry glides, eddy hopping and turns, as well as peel outs.

While yesterday I felt very little fear and indeed felt well in my element, here I had doubts just putting in. The currents were ripping down stream at about 5 knots, while boat traffic was coming through without slowing down. The numerous docks and pilings, all encrusted with barnacles and other shells, made for dangerous obstacles. Always at the ready to grab your boat or paddle, these things suck mightily. 

Dawn, Paul, and Dale watching "Group A"  acclimating to the rip.

First group ferry gliding across to the first eddy. Look at those currents churning!

This was highly educational to me. I really got up close and personal with my need for better boat control. While the first day of class had been exciting and fun this second day of class was a stern reminder that I need to get my sh*t together. I would feel this class in my chest muscles the next day. And my brand new paddle left class somewhat worse for the wear. Thanks barnacles!

A good class, money well spent, that gave me tons to think about and ruminate over. Plus, I think I fell in love with Charleston; just like that, on the first date with the first kiss.