Impromptu Ocean Swim - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

bigbarrels · 11-23-2011, 10:38 PM

wow, glad you made out O.k. and that you had your PFD on.......thanks for sharing

jorluivil · 11-23-2011, 11:00 PM

Glad you're ok.

When I bought my first kayak I practiced righting the kayak in about 30' and let me tell, after the third time I was done and I wasn't wearing all the gear that you were. I never imagined that it would be so hard to right a tossed kayak, add all the gear and you've got your work cut out for you.

roby · 11-24-2011, 02:20 AM

Glad you made it okay....

I agree with all the great advice given already.

Just one more thing - when you turn back to get a rod, don't just reach back and get the rod. Completely turn sideways and get the rods so your legs are sticking in the water.

james92026 · 11-24-2011, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roby

Glad you made it okay....

I agree with all the great advice given already.

Just one more thing - when you turn back to get a rod, don't just reach back and get the rod. Completely turn sideways and get the rods so your legs are sticking in the water.

Yes, good advice. I guess it was a combination of things. Sitting broadside to the swells is not a whole lot different than being turned sideways in a surf landing. Had I had any previous experience, I would have instinctively grabbed the paddle and slapped down as a brace. I learned that even a slight shift in body position can have a profound effect. The recovery would have been a lot easier with suitable clothing. I am thinking chest wader as my least expensive option. I assume that nowadays they are fairly light weight material and priced starting at $100 from what I have seen. I did in fact look at some, but the sizes available did not seem right, ex: the large was okay but the stocking size only went up to 11 (I need a 12), the extra large had chest size of 51 which seems much too big for me. Normally I wear a 42 or 44 jacket. or maybe the chest size would not make that much difference as there would be a belt cinched anyway. what say you guys?

taggermike · 11-24-2011, 08:48 AM

Glad you're ok and thanks for posting. Many kayakers have never practiced righting and getting back on their kayaks. The time to learn how to do this is not while you're alone and far from land. Try it in a pool or calm water. It's not too hard. This also gives you a feel for just how far your kayak can tip befor it goes all the way. You don't need to understand primary vs secondary stability, just get a feel for your kayak. And they're all different, so try it with every new kayak you get. If you're in a safe place messing around and tipping your yak is kinda fun. Mike

salty pirate · 11-24-2011, 10:36 AM

I wear 4mm waders with board shorts and a wet shirt under the waders and a jacket if it's that cold. I don't wear the belt figuring worst case i can easly undo the wader's if I fall in and fill with water.

Mr. Adventure · 11-24-2011, 10:45 AM

I took my kayak out onto a lake and practiced backflips off of it and rocking it until it flipped to get a hang of righting it. My malibu 2 is crazy stable, I haven't flipped it in the ocean besides trying to surf it in. my method of righting it is to grab the handles and pull the far side under and push high side up real quick.

It can be a lot of fun to practice, but the weather right now... i don't want to end up in the drink.

11-23-2011, 10:38 PM	#1
bigbarrels Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vista Posts: 1,111	wow, glad you made out O.k. and that you had your PFD on.......thanks for sharing __________________ The shorter you are, the bigger your fish appear

11-23-2011, 11:00 PM	#2
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	Glad you're ok. When I bought my first kayak I practiced righting the kayak in about 30' and let me tell, after the third time I was done and I wasn't wearing all the gear that you were. I never imagined that it would be so hard to right a tossed kayak, add all the gear and you've got your work cut out for you. __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

11-24-2011, 02:20 AM	#3
roby CEO of Team Roby Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 905	Glad you made it okay.... I agree with all the great advice given already. Just one more thing - when you turn back to get a rod, don't just reach back and get the rod. Completely turn sideways and get the rods so your legs are sticking in the water.

11-24-2011, 08:48 AM	#5
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Glad you're ok and thanks for posting. Many kayakers have never practiced righting and getting back on their kayaks. The time to learn how to do this is not while you're alone and far from land. Try it in a pool or calm water. It's not too hard. This also gives you a feel for just how far your kayak can tip befor it goes all the way. You don't need to understand primary vs secondary stability, just get a feel for your kayak. And they're all different, so try it with every new kayak you get. If you're in a safe place messing around and tipping your yak is kinda fun. Mike

11-24-2011, 10:36 AM	#6
salty pirate Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: where the hell is Temecula Posts: 268	I wear 4mm waders with board shorts and a wet shirt under the waders and a jacket if it's that cold. I don't wear the belt figuring worst case i can easly undo the wader's if I fall in and fill with water.

11-24-2011, 10:45 AM	#7
Mr. Adventure Damn Hippy Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Riverside Posts: 311	I took my kayak out onto a lake and practiced backflips off of it and rocking it until it flipped to get a hang of righting it. My malibu 2 is crazy stable, I haven't flipped it in the ocean besides trying to surf it in. my method of righting it is to grab the handles and pull the far side under and push high side up real quick. It can be a lot of fun to practice, but the weather right now... i don't want to end up in the drink.