An exciting and challenging kayak trick in an ocean rock garden is to paddle over a pour-over. In river running, a pour-over is a river current that flows over a rocky ledge into a hole below. In ocean adventure kayaking, a pour-over is a flat rock or a reef which a wave surges over into calmer water on the shoreward side. River pour-overs are predictable; that is, what you see when you scout is what you get, as the water flow is constant. Ocean pour-overs are less predictable and thus more dangerous, since the waves pulse in a dynamic rhythm. Tsunami Rangers call a big ocean pour-over a cascade, which ends in a temporary waterfall on the shoreward side. Cascades are near the top of our list of fun places to be in ocean rock gardens.
Theoretically, it is easy to paddle across an ocean pour-over or cascade. All you have to do is catch the surging wave and ride it across the reef and dump into the soft foam at the other end. Ah, but there are hazards to consider. First, if you launch too soon and get in front of the wave you could nose right into the seaward wall of the reef and that would be the end of your ride (and the bow of your boat). The second hazard, also resulting from taking the wave too soon, is making it onto the reef only to get banged across the exposed rocks where the wave has yet to reach, resulting in considerable damage to the hull of your boat, or if you tip over, to your head, shoulders and torso. You don’t want to experience either of these perils.
The third hazard obtains from taking the wave too late, which is commonly done because the kayaker is afraid of the first two hazards, so he hesitates. In the third hazard, you take the wave after it has gone under you for too long, yet you make it fine about halfway across the reef, and then get stranded on the ledge, as happened to Tsunami Ranger Don Kiesling three weeks ago on the Mendocino coast. He launched late by ½ second, and rode the surge a good 20 yards, and then was left perched high and dry on the ledge with a 12-foot hole in front of him. He glanced over at us gawkers with a look of disgust, because he knew what was going to happen next. That’s right, the next wave (which was bigger, of course), knocked him off the ledge and into the hole. Being a good paddler, Don fought to stay upright and in control. He did himself proud; unfortunately, like an inflatable duck toy in an empty bathtub, he was left in the bottom of the hole after the second wave subsided.
This brings us to the fourth hazard—getting stuck in a hole (a depression in the reef), when there are still one or more ledges in your way before you reach the safety of the shoreward side of the reef. When the third wave hit Don, he was swept up eight feet and then dumped over the last ledge and down the cascade to the relative calm water on the shoreward side of the reef. He landed upside down but recovered nicely and had no damage to himself, although the ride broke his rudder off.
The solution to these four hazards is to time your entry onto the wave just right. To do that, take off in the middle (about two seconds after it passes under you) of the surging wave, so you have a cushion of water in front of you to avoid the first two hazards, and you have enough impetus to take you all the way across the reef and to the other side, so you don’t get stranded either high or low.
To perform it just right you need two things: lots of practice beforehand in easy conditions until skilled enough to make it all the way; and a thorough scouting of the pour-over stunt so you know which wave to take and when, and what course you will take all the way through to safety, and what you will do if something goes wrong.
For kayakers just learning about ocean rock gardens, go with your instructor to a safe and easy pour-over and practice reading and then riding the surge. Practice over and over until you get bored. This will give you competence and confidence. Over time, you can paddle across longer distances and in bigger waves, always under the watchful eyes of your teachers and paddling companions.
More experienced kayakers should seek out short but challenging pour-overs to hone their slalom skills. A short pour-over with only a couple of paddling moves will allow an experienced kayaker a chance to practice without being stuck in a 50-foot course with no easy way out. But even if you try a longer pour-over, remember that it’s similar to paddling rapids in a river. The good news is that the ocean rapids stop after a few seconds, which gives you time to recover or at least set up for the next onslaught.
Once you have the skills to handle more difficult pour-over problems, then get with your team and look for a suitable pour-over or cascade challenge. Scout the complex pour-over in question until you know you can do it. This could take several minutes and some discussion. Have only one person attempt a challenging pour-over, in case something goes awry. You don’t want a pod of paddlers crashing into each other in an already dangerous environment. Plus, the other kayakers can act as spotters and rescuers, if needed, and can see what it’s like for a good boater to go through. If it’s doable, then everyone, one at a time, can tackle it; and if it’s too scary, then it can be abandoned and another playground can be located.
Running ocean pour-overs is one of my favorite rock garden activities. You will like it too, especially if you slow down and assess the situation, then go for it with gusto.
Please share your pour-over and cascade stories. If you are experienced, please offer your suggestions on how to handle pour-overs. If you are interested in learning more about pour-overs, please ask your questions right here and either myself or another reader will answer them. Have fun out there!
Hi Eric,
nice post and terrific pictures (excluding mine). Frankly speaking that was not my first pour-over ever. I remember an actual one where I finished up sitting on the rock due to bad timing and late start. Later because of the self-lerning approach I picked up a dangerous habit to ride on the front of the wave without having enough cushion in between my bow and a rock. Thank you for correcting my mistake during the class. With my little experience I found that wave set size judgment skill also important and prevent you from stacking on the rock. Even with perfect timing you may simply not have enough water to bring you over the rocks. Then I found that take-off stroke is important especially if you are in the short boat. Playing in Piranha Fusion I finished some of my attempts flying head down into the hole just because I did not bother to do this.
Thank you for your comments, Sergey. In the post, when I said it was your first pour-over, I meant it was your first pour-over of the morning. Yeah, that’s it. 🙂
You bring up several good points in your comments. I would add that the take-off stroke must be strong and done at the right time. And you are right; no matter how well you time things, you could stll get stranded. In our TSUNAMI RANGERS’ GREATEST HITS dvd, Dave Whalen does a beautiful stranding between two rocks–it’s hilarious, especially when he waves to the camera.
Also, I didn’t emphasize this in the post, but it behooves us to paddle in rivers to learn more about paddling in rapids and over pour-overs. River kayaking skills are very useful in an ocean rock garden.
Great post Eric, as usual. I’ll start this with my favorite pour-over story, then add a couple more tips.
Some years back, while paddling in Mendocino with Larry Holman and Debrah Volturno, I approached what looked to be a very easy little pour-over, which I should have scouted first. It looked easy from the back side so without further ado, I paddled right up and caught the first wave (did I mention I should have scouted it first?). Yeah, I was perfectly positioned, but so what? What happens when the downstream side is a 12 foot vertical drop? Here’s what happened. I was more than surprised to look down that drop–“freaked out” is the term that comes to mind–and the next thing I knew I was plunging vertically, then washing around upside down in the huge foam pile that built up. I relaxed (yeah, right!) and started to set up for a roll, got tossed about some more, then finally rolled up.
I can’t begin to describe the disoriented feeling after rolling up and finding myself in a different place altogether! I was no longer in the hole at the bottom of that drop, but clear back on the other side of the rock. The wave had washed me back over the rock, somehow, while I was still hanging upside down. Weird things like this can happen in surging waves among the rocks!
Ok, here’s a common hazard, at least to your boat: In a sea kayak, with its long stern, if you go over a relatively sharp rock lip and the wave doesn’t take you clear, your stern can drop heavily on the rock as water rushes over the drop. This can damage your stern, so be sure to have some duct tape along for repairs. This is very important if you’re on a kayaking camping trip. You don’t want a leaky boat.
One tip for learning the proper positioning on a surging pour-over wave is to practice riding the top of a wave in the surf zone. One of the landing methods Eric & I outlined in our post on landing in surf, especially useful in dumping surf, is to ride the top of the wave. Riding the surge into a pour-over is exactly the same skill in terms of positioning and timing. So if at first you want to avoid rocks, practice catching and riding the top of the wave in a surf zone. You catch the wave, ride in part way balanced on top of the wave, then back off at the last second without landing, back up and do it again. Catch wave after wave this way and you’ll eventually get the hang of it.
I’ve found that riding surge in the rocks, you have to anticipate and take off a bit earlier than you would think. As Eric mentioned, it’s far more common to wait too long and get left behind by the wave, high and, well, not exactly dry, but stranded, on the rocks.
Good suggestions, John. You never told me about your 12-foot vertical drop story. I wish I could have got it on film. We tried to film Don Kiesling’s 75-foot pour-over run last month, but it got messed up. Dang. Anybody got any good (and recent) pour-over footage?
Actually, I have no idea how far the drop was. I said 12 feet so I wouldn’t be needlessly exaggerating. It looked like a 3-story drop, but I know that was an illusion. Anyway, the drop wasn’t the weird part. Rolling up and finding myself somewhere totally different from where I capsized was the strange thing. I wish it was on film so I could see how I somehow got transported up and over a large exposed rock. And I never even touched the rock; it was all wave action.
Love it!!! Pour-overs are so much FUN!!! Good post on the elements of timing in a pour-over. My advice is to start on small ones to practice reading the water and timing. Here’s a link to one of our YouTube Videos with a lot of pour-overs. http://youtu.be/0jOZjDrbJsM
When you find yourself to early (the art of going to soon.), put on the breaks and let the water build up underneath you. Now you can lean forward, anchor your blade, and enjoy the ride.
Tried and true even on really big days!
Jeff
Thanks, Cate and Jeff for your cool advice and excellent pour-over footage on the Mendo coast. Folks–if you are looking for a great rock garden tour or class in the Mendocino area, contact Liquid Fusion (see my Blogroll above for their web address).
How come you guys aren’t in white water playboats? A short, tough, plastic river running boat beats the hell out of a long, fibreglass, sit-on-top surfski or sea kayak in those conditions. Whats with the rudders and deep vee sea kayak bows and sterns? You guys are either trying to make this sport more dangerous and difficult than you need to or you are out to lunch and don’t know what the hell you’re doing. I suspect the latter. Paddling in huge hydraulics, pourovers and rock gardens has already been figured out. Get on the program, then adapt it your particular needs.
Jerome, I’ve used my RPM whitewater kayak a lot in ocean rock gardens. And yes it’s far more suited to playing in the rocks than any sea kayak. Of course it’s practically useless for paddling several miles in open ocean to get to some of the places we like to paddle.
We don’t all use the same kayaks. It’s always a trade-off. On the ocean I mostly use my Coaster, a short (13 ft), very nimble sea kayak, with NO rudder that can cruise and cover the miles but also play in rock gardens. Sometimes the extra speed and power to break through waves is an advantage. I don’t use a rudder on any of my boats. I prefer a closed-cockpit kayak and rely heavily on my roll to get me out of trouble.
Some of us use a specialized sit-on-top that functions quite well in the rocks and gives the option/freedom of jumping off and on the boat. I can see some real advantages to that also, even if I prefer the control I get in a closed-cockpit.
It’s not one size fits all.
Sure, if all I’m going to do is a day paddle in an area where I can launch right into a rock garden, I’ll often use the whitewater boat. If all I’m going to do is surf, I’ll use a SURF kayak (not a whitewater kayak).
Before you go insulting people or deciding we don’t know what the hell we’re doing, you’d do well to ‘get on the program,’ get your facts staight, and find out something more about who we are.
Welcome aboard, Jerome. You are certainly correct when you say hydraulics, pourovers and rock gardens have already been figured out–at least in predictable rivers. I have found constantly changing ocean hydraulics a bit more tricky–but that’s just me. You are also right in claiming that river kayaks are perfect for ocean rock gardens, and I have used them many times over the past few decades with great success in the ocean. When I teach ocean rock garden classes, I recommend that my students use river kayaks–for the reasons you stated.
Hitchhiking on John’s comment, many of us Tsunami Rangers use Tsunami X-15 kayaks in ocean rock gardens, which are a hybrid between a slalom boat, a sit-on-top and a sea kayak with a kick-up rudder. After years of using many types of boats, from maneuverable but extremely slow river kayaks to fast but non-maneuverable full-blown surf skis, we find the Kevlar-armored and rollable X-15 to be a good boat for us in rock gardens, surf, and storm seas. We can easily paddle 10 miles against the wind and carry a week’s worth of food and gear to a hidden beach, and stay and play for days. You might like it if you try it. Next week I’ll do a post on different types of sea-going boats, including slalom kayaks, so stay tuned to this station.
Meanwhile, I’d love to see photos or video footage of you ripping it up in ocean rock gardens. Judging from your comments, you must be one of the top ocean rock garden paddlers on the planet. So just please post a new comment and put in a link where we can go see you in action, and I will prepare myself to be awestruck.
Great post! My local rock gardens don’t really have many (relatively) safe pour-overs – the only ones that exist pour directly into cliffs, which as I’ve found, tend to end the experience somewhat painfully! That being said, this is a skill I’m very much looking forward to working on in the future. On the boat debate, I have an 18′ plastic sea kayak (skeg), and now a 10′ hybrid creek boat, the latter of which I prefer as long as I don’t have a long paddle to the garden. Really though, boats are a personal preference, so not sure I get the hating earlier either. Thanks to everyone above for sharing though, great post.
Program?!
”We don’t need no stinking program!”
No we don’t. But I wonder what stinkin’ program Jerome was talking about, anyway?
It is true that paddling in ocean rock gardens and pour-overs has been figured out. Some of us figured it out 25 years ago. Jerome, where were you 25 years ago?
“Jerome, where were you 25 years ago?”
I think you’ve picked it John. The black and white absolute certainty of youth.
No shades of grey there, especially not in his beard.
Nice post Eric.
I think I got that part wrong, actually. It appears Jerome might be nearly as old as the rest of us. The attitude he took is what made me think otherwise. Then again, it’s all in good fun, no doubt.
Boy, you guys are more fun than I thought. The swell really picked up on that one. It doesn’t take much to rattle your cage, ’cause there’s plenty of ego out there in Tsunami Ranger land, I see.
That was so good I’m staying on for the next set, so get the cameras out, ’cause I need the photos … here goes:
OK … so if you’re prepared to paddle a boat that’s a compromise between performance and getting there, you obviously aren’t showing enough commitment to the true, technical aspect of your sport. For the sake of beginner safety and paddlesports reputation in general, I strongly advise that you add a proviso to every photo of you guys in a hybrid Tsunami Ranger boat to the effect that being a compromise between performance and speed, these approach boats are dangerous and not particularly suited to the technical nature of this activity.
To the guy who said ‘What stinkin program?’, I rest my case. If paddling in ocean rock gardens and pour-overs has been figured out 25 years ago, why are you still paddling compromised boats? I hope your bows stay out of the kelp when the next one picks up on the inside.
Who would uh thought – rockin and rollin with the Tsunami Rangers – whooohooo …
Hi Jerome
Unlike most of the others who have commented here, I don’t have 25 years kayaking experience so consider myself a beginner in this sport. As a beginner, I’ve learned a lot from Eric & co, particularly about staying safe while I get wet.
Jerome, would you mind sharing a brief kayak bio so that I know where you are coming from? I’m not familiar with you or your kayaking background so I don’t know if your ‘strong advice’ is made from a knowledgeable perspective or just to satisfy an enjoyment of ‘poking’ people (it’s hard to believe but there are people like that out there).
Another good topic Eric.
Tess
Jerome, before you comment, it might help to read and try to comprehend what I said. I clearly stated that I use a whitewater kayak fairly often in rock gardens and when it’s practical it’s my boat of choice. It’s not always practical or safe. Try paddling one of those play boats any distance out at sea in strong wind and storm seas (the ocean is far more unpredictable than any river!). That’s a major performance compromise. Also, I’d like to see you stuff a week’s food, water, and camping gear in a modern whitewater kayak. That’s not only a compromise; it’s impossible unless you want to sleep out in the open in your wetsuit (also a compromise, but not one I’m willing to make).
The “true, technical aspect” of paddling in the ocean is not as limited as you seem to think. I’ll say it again. If all I’m going to do is play in rock gardens that can be reached easily or safely in a whitewater kayak, that’s what I’ll use. But a journey exploring a longer stretch of coastline requires a different style kayak. You obviously have no idea what a Mariner Coaster is (look at the first photo at the top of the article here), nor do you understand the function of the Tsunami kayaks (which I don’t use, but they have some distinct advantages over what I use, and vice versa). The ocean is not the same as a river.
I have no doubt you have extensive whitewater experience, but how much experience do you have in the ocean?
Thanks, everyone, for your comments. I do appreciate it.
For Jerome, I got your point–both times–that you prefer river kayaks in the ocean–right boat for the job and all. Why don’t you click below on my latest post, which just came out, on the BEST SEA KAYAK? BTW, I will not be adding a proviso to any photo featured in my blog posts.
Tess wanted to know more about Jerome. I don’t know him personally, but he was a featured character in Joe Kane’s interesting book, RUNNING THE AMAZON, about an ill-fated first descent of the entire river. When reading the book a few years ago, I agonized over the constant interpersonal conflicts, lack of preparation and skill among some of the participants, the tedious last few hundred miles, and that half the team bagged out of the expedition along the way. Joe, a non-kayaker, idolized Jerome as the one super-skilled boater on the trip.
Based on Joe’s depiction of Jerome, I admired him for his ability to navigate difficult and dangerous whitewater in constantly challenging conditions. I would say that Jerome is an all-around competent boater who knows his hydraulics. Therefore, I value his opinon on kayaking matters, once I wade through his hyperbolic vitriol against us.
Meanwhile, I’m still waiting for a picture of Jerome in a whitewater playboat (or any boat) of him looking good (or bad) in an ocean rock garden….
This latest discussion has got me thinking (always a dangerous thing). It seems Jerome’s comments come down to a “right tool for the job” argument (could that be the ‘program’ that still remains undefined?). So I have a couple of thoughts regarding ocean (not bay, or lake, or pond, or river) kayaking that might help enlighten Jerome and maybe some others reading this.
If I always had a choice, I would never paddle in the surf and only rarely paddle in rock gardens in a sea kayak. In the surf I much prefer to use my surf kayak which is far superior for that purpose than a sea kayak or most whitewater kayaks. However, for those who want to paddle out in the open ocean, a sea kayak is by far the best tool for that purpose. My surf kayak is utterly worthless for anything except surfing. However, when paddling in the open ocean in a sea kayak, the ability to launch/land in surf and to at least manuever through a rock garden is essential for safety reasons. And it can still be fun even if it’s not the first choice boat for the task.
A lot of coastlines, and especially the northern California coastline, are subject to almost constant wave action. Perfectly calm landing sites are few and far between. You’re far safer if you can get to shore through the surf, and in many cases you’ll have to negotiate a rock garden to get ashore. You’re out there in your sea kayak cruising along and of course you can’t suddenly switch to a surf or whitewater boat when you need to get ashore. So it’s very important to learn the challenging skill of using a sea kayak in the surf. Sometimes the safest way ashore is through the rocks and you might even need to ride the surge over some sort of pour-over in the process. You better develop some skill at doing these things in a sea kayak if you want to paddle out on the open OCEAN.
I could go on and say a lot more about this, but hopefully this lays to rest Jerome’s concern that the beginning ocean sea kayakers might get the wrong message here.
Well, it’s very encouraging to see that you guys (and gals) are aware of the different kinds of boats that the pageantry of paddling in all it’s diversity has to offer, as well as their various attributes. That’s all I was after, really. Forgive me for doubting you guys, given the carnage, incompetence and unsuitability of the boats on display in your typical TR video.
Moving on, its not about me. Its about the Tsunami Rangers and the sport that challenges you. The sport you have created, taken ownership of and the sport you love.
What’s this sport called?
Tsunami Rangering? (I think you need a new name for your outfit by the way, but that’s just me). Barnacle Bill’ng? Accurate, but doesn’t sound right. ‘Extreme Ocean Kayaking?’ Getting there, but too broad. The only extreme part is your exposure to danger, given those silly, long boats you insist on using. ‘Ocean Rock Garden Kayaking’ – gardening? Doesn’t sound exciting enough.
Whats your main focus?
You need to decide what your main focus is. If it’s all about getting there and cruising, that’s already been done. Its called sea kayaking (as you know). Or is your main focus practising in unsuitable boats in case you get washed ashore through a rock garden one day? I doubt it, but if you ask me, that’s what the Tsunami Rangers seem to be all about. Even I think you’re better than that. Or is it surfing in your approach boat? Well, the sports of kayak and surfski wave-riding have definitely been figured out and you should get on that program if that’s what you like.
Now … wait for it … is it … dare I say … might it be … playing in technical rock gardens?
If it is, and if this is the true essence of what you do, you need to focus on it and commit to it. This means no more excuses about getting there or not having enough space for gear. It means being creative and solving the approach problem.
This isn’t my problem. It’s what you people have to think about.
On the other hand … if your main focus is not specifically about playing in technical rock gardens and you’re happy to do it in relatively long, unmaneuverable, compromise boats like your X-15s and what not … hey, it’s your sport. Good luck with it. Just make sure the beginners know about the compromises.
I just have to answer this (even though this is not a recent blog). What we do is probably best described as ocean adventure kayaking. I live in Rhode Island, and have coordinated many trips for the R.I. Canoe & Kayak Association (RICKA). Typically on my trips, we launch, and head for a certain destination, but along the way, we play in the rocks, enter caves, surf through the rocks, negotiate narrow passages through rocks, etc. At times we will make an open water crossing of maybe 1-3 miles, and continue on, playing in other rock gardens. We usually end up at our destination several miles from our launch point, land, have lunch, then head back, playing in the rocks again while on our way. This is what we enjoy. My X-15 is admirably designed for such an adventure…long enough (14′) to burn the miles, great at catching waves (sure, I can’t do the tricks a surf boat can, but I can get MUCH longer rides…similar to the difference between a short surfboard and a longboard), and because of the heavy kevlar layup combined with foam (not glassed in) bulkheads, it is incredibly tough. Jerome, if you wanted to go on such an adventure, what kind of boat would you say is appropriate to not only surf and negotiate rock gardens, but also do open ocean crossings…or is the whole idea of adventure sea kayaking wrong, and we are just deluding ourselves into thinking that we are having a blast?
Tony
Jerome-
If you have a point in commenting, other than hosing down the Tsunami Rangers, it’s completely lost on me. One of the things I really enjoy about Eric’s blog is the civility of the discourse; when mates disagree, they do so by presenting their views in an informative and non-confrontational manner. Your provocative comments stand out in stark contrast to that tone and I can’t imagine why you would knowingly take such an ineffective route in presenting your thoughts.
Nothing whatsoever is gained in life by insulting and demeaning others. Unless your aim is making enemies rather than friends, you would do well to slip the old choke-chain around your neck and give it a sharp tug whenever you feel civility slipping your grasp.
Jerome is insisting on using “sport” term. It is not a sport to me, it is a complex adventure. I do not want finish up riding a “garden bus” along highway 1 . As for boats unsuitability, I have seen many whitewater boaters floating head down in a hole next to waterfall. It looks silly to me but they call it “I’ve passed”. If it is a sport you guys have to invent some sort of failure-free foam insulated barrels to suit your needs more precisely. Otherwise, it seems to me you are doing waterfall jumps in your sporty approach boats. The logic is the same.
I have to admit it’s kind of fun to watch someone like Jerome blather on without knowing what the hell he’s talking about. And having totally missed the point of everything that others have said here.
First of all, I guess an RPM whitewater kayak is pretty long compared to those boxy little playboats that are only good for playing in holes and doing cartwheels in flat water, but I wouldn’t call it a long sea kayak! Speaking of focus, I don’t care to focus into such specialized activity. Nothing wrong with that, but it’s sure not my way. I like variety. And I can probably speak for the Tsunami Rangers in saying that also. We like to do more than just run pour-overs, as fun as that can be.
Jerome’s definition of sea kayaking (getting there and cruising) is way too limited and ‘focused.’ I guess limited minds need limits. Paddling in storm seas, for one example, is not always about getting there and cruising. For some it might be about ‘getting out of there.’ But I won’t belabor that point.
I agree with Sergey. Kayaking is not a sport to me at all. And I enjoy paddling whitewater rivers, sea kayaking in every possible environment, and kayak surfing. I use a different boat for each of those activities as I already mentioned more than once. The Tsunami Rangers do not all paddle the same type of kayak. Some of us prefer closed cockpit, shorter kayaks, some prefer open cockpit “Tsunami” kayaks. They both have advantages and disadvantages. There is also a Tsunami washdeck kayak that is much shorter than the X-15.
Why should we have a “main focus”? What’s that all about? Part of the mysterious “program?” If Jerome wants to box himself into one tiny compartmentalized “sport,” that’s cool with me. But don’t tell me or anyone else we have to do that.
Interesting comments and side trips here. I wholeheartedly agree with Sergei. It’s a complex adventure to me, and I guess I just can’t explain it to those who have no eyes to see, ears to hear, or minds to understand.
To me, it’s all about getting on the water and having fun and obtaining deep satisfaction as a byproduct. And sharing this adventure with my best friends. We have a little ocean adventure team we dubbed the Tsunami Rangers, but we could be called Neptune’s Rangers, The Hurricane Riders, Slackwater Yacht Club, Force Ten, or the Banzai Bozos (all names of other adventure ocean kayaking teams). We just get out there and do it.
An aside: our Tsunami Rangers Greatest Hits DVD does show a lot of carnage in surf and ocean rock gardens. Why? Because it’s exciting and fun to watch. We cut out all the boring tame stuff that we could easily do. In the same vein, why are waterfall-jumping-in-kayaks DVDs so popular? Because it’s exciting and fun to watch, and sometimes the boater gets creamed when he hits the water. Some folks would call waterfall jumping kayakers “out to lunch.” I wouldn’t. I think it’s cool, although going over the falls in a padded barrel would no doubt be safer. IMO, it’s up to the boater to do what he wants in his craft.
“get with the program” This is, in a nutshell, everything I hate about the popularity of sea kayaking nowadays. I grew up in an oldschool plywood and canvas boat, jeans and a teeshirt and an old mae-west lifejacket tied on behind my seat. Safe by today’s standards? Hell no but that was how things worked back then.
We knew the risks. Hamish Gow knew the risks when he set out for a 40 mile crossing to st kilda. No gps, no vhf radio, no pfd, no rescue flares, no epirb… If he attempted that nowadays there’d be a crowd of “certified” muppets on the beach berating him for behaving in such a fashion. Sure he might have died but he didn’t. Guy was a hero but, by today’s standards he’s an idiot.
Extreme sport is fun because it’s dangerous. That’s where the adrenaline comes from. I’m better equipped nowadays but all that means to me is that I can push the envelope further than I could when I had to worry about capsizing a bulkhead-free (remember x-rescues anyone?) boat or dealing with hypothermia every time the wind picked up. I still maintain the same overall personal danger-level otherwise I don’t get my endorphin fix.
I prefer surfing in a sea kayak because it’s harder and it’s better practice for those expedition moments when you have to land in the stuff. If you can bongo slide a big beach or reef break then your high brace is up to damn near anything the wind will throw at you out in open water.
But most of all it’s fun. I totally resent the fact that someone is going to tell me I’m doing it wrong because I’m not using a silly little kid’s toy that’s only good for one thing despite the fact that, if I was in one of those, I’d more than likely be risking my neck just as much as I would in a sea kayak. Bigger breaks, rockier landings…
Tsunami Rangers – you guys are an inspiration. You take sea kayaking to the wall. If that’s doing it wrong then doing it right can go to hell as far as I’m concerned.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Ross. When I wrote this essay, I thought it was just a little paddling technique piece. I had no idea what it would morph into.
Your comment on the t-shirt and jeans reminded me that I started river canoeing in t-shirts and jeans, and miraculously we lived. I’m all for immersion clothing now and picking the right boat–but of course what is the right boat? Just think about river running–do I paddle a canoe, raft, kayak, SUP? Who can say?
Ross, keep in mind the ‘get with the program” guy is a river kayaker and I suspect he has the typical image of sea kayaking that many whitewater paddlers have. They call it ‘flat water’ paddling. Then when they get wind of the fact that there are waves and whitewater in the ocean environment, and someone actually dares to paddle in ocean whitewater, it threatens their self-esteem or something like that. Who knows?
I don’t go so far as to paddle in jeans and T-shirt, but I do agree that relying on equipment (radios, flares, etc) rather than ability only results in a false sense of security. But that’s another topic.
Yeah Eric, I was surprised to see the turn this thread took, starting with a simple piece on a specific technique. I wonder what kind of hornet’s nest we could stir up with a discussion on how to do a draw stroke?
Back to the subject at hand – thanks for the essay. I found it to be informative and packed full of good ideas. Rock gardening is probably one of the next steps for me in terms of “upping my game” over the next year or so. Good to get some pointers from one of the few I’ve seen who is doing the kind of water I aspire to tackle someday.
Ross, be sure to wear a helmet in rock gardens & sea caves! 🙂
Just for the record, and to be sure no one harbors any misconceptions, the Tsunami Rangers don’t subscribe to the reckless abandonment of safety protocol. On the contrary, we emphasize safety on the water and will utilize any safety equipment that works. That’s not to say we rely totally on any gadgets; as I said before, skill and seamanship are the best path to safety. But in any case it’s not necessary to behave recklessly to get an adrenaline rush in ocean rock gardens.
Much appreciated John and, yes, we’re on the same page. Just because we prefer to rely on ropes, bungies and well practiced recovery drills doesn’t mean we don’t have a VHF radio and a couple of mobile phones stashed away, just in case.
We didn’t used to have stuff like this back in the day but, now that we have there’s really no argument not to.
Good call on the helmet, too. I’ve been considering getting one for the surf anyway but if I’m going near rocks then, yeah, I’ll be making sure the gooey bits inside my head don’t come loose.
Yeah, ironically I just recently got a (very basic) cell phone, which tells you how far behind the times I am when it comes to this high-tech stuff. Good VHF radios were unavailable when I started paddling and I paddled for years without one. Finally Neil Hooper gave me a VHF radio, which I much appreciated, but after two trips on the water it quit working. I should go get another one.
Tomorrow (Monday) I’m posting an essay on “how to rescue a swimmer who has lost his boat in surf.” That will probably stir up a hornet’s nest. 🙂
For Ross, if you want more opinion on kayaking gizmos and gadgets, click on this: https://tsunamirangers.com/2010/11/10/gizmos-and-gadgets-for-sea-kayakers/.
Best wishes on your rock gardening adventures–and be safe!
Looking forward to your take on surf rescues. I’m always on the lookout for new ideas to add to my rescue arsenal. Rescues are like all other aspects of paddling for me – whenever you think you’ve learned all there is to know, give yourself a shake then get out there and learn some more.
And yeah, “be safe” I’ve never died at sea, yet and I don’t intend to start doing it any time soon 😀
For interested readers, click on the link below to get to my “rescue swimmers in surf” post.