Hey, I am just an old dude who likes the stoke and adrenaline rush of riding waves. Unlike 99.9% of the surfers at my homebreak, I do my surfing with a double bladed paddle while sitting down -- on a waveski, in a surf kayak, or sea kayak. Given that I am old enough to be their dad, if not granddad, most of the locals give this "old kook" a pass, especially since I am a stickler for surf etiquette and I can control my ride enough to not run anyone over. At least not yet...
Glad to oblige. I got nicely maytagged and rag dolled a couple of times for my pleasure. LOL! The plus side of the carbon stick was how easy it was to roll back up, despite how off I was with timing and ruddering with it.
I am still using the Big Spoons WW paddle that Mike Simpson gave me at one of the winter RISK sessions. I treasure the paddle as well as Mike's generosity and inspiration! Sadly, BS went under awhile ago.
Really was a BEAUTIFUL day! The offshore was stronger than I like and kept pushing us farther out when we weren't paying attention. The reef is over 1/4 mile out. Depending on the size of the waves and the tide stage, the "take off" point is about 1/2 mile out. On this day, we were getting rides of 100 yards or more (if we manage to stay on the wave). On bigger wave days, the rides are much longer but also scarier. The waves generally pitch on two peaks, merge and closeout in a horseshoe pattern on the inside. If you ride too long, you chance getting caught in that closeout.
Great video in the surf! I am back from the surf beach and also paddled in similar conditions. I did it with a short surfski and it was limit. Next time it’s going to be in a sea kayak like yours! Happy new year!
@@singmoyI am thinking at the P&H Virgo or possibly the Dagger Stratos 14.5. I want something light but still in plastic so I don’t have to worry if I touch the ground at the beach.
@@kayakintro Cool! Either model would work for surf, as long you get the version (LV, MV) that is appropriate to your size/weight. I used to surf the P&H Delphin 150 (my first surf oriented longboat) and liked it a lot. (My "Black Friday Gift" surf session video was with the Delphin.) I got rid of it to get the much lighter carbon/kevlar Sterling Progression. Then I decided I still need a RM boat that I don't have to worry about for rockplay. So, I ended up with the Dagger 14.5s. If I were still in the market, I would consider the Virgo LV for my 150 lbs. Anyway, look forward to hearing hearing/seeing what you end up with! Happy New Year to you.
@@singmoy I weigh 187 lbs but plan to come back to 165 lbs... I started playing tennis! The Dagger looks really good. I am looking for a RM kayak with good seat setting, especially the hips. I might try a Stratos this week.
Looking great! I managed to break a paddle yesterday with the two parts getting loose and separated. It was ok but I needed to learn to hold tight with my left hand because the blade wasn't facing the water correctly. Also it is easy to lose the two half paddles since the leash won't stay. My conclusion was to always carry a spare paddle or to get a fixed length paddle and keep it simple!
Spare paddle is definitely needed, especially when paddling afar. I tend to get "lazy" and leave the spare and other safety gear behind when paddle surfing the local beach break. I have had my paddle stripped out of my hands by breaking waves. Hence, I a believer in a paddle leash. However, if the paddle breaks, it'll be a swim to shore with the boat and then calling it quits!
@@singmoy I also usually have a paddle leash and a leg leash with the surfski. I had to swim once with the surfski because of a fishing line and it was a slow swim!
Honestly, the video is deceiving. You are seeing some of the OK rides. What is missing is all the failed attempts to catch a wave because of lack of quick acceleration. Towards the end of the session, I started to give much more lead than I normally am used to with a Euro paddle. The biggest frustration is not being to carve one way and then switch rudders and carve the other way. I ended up shortening a lot of the rides because with the first carve, I end up peeling back over the top of the wave. The videos earlier in spring of my surf session in the Stratos with Euro paddle shows more directional control and ability to carve one way and then to carve back the other way.
Great video! I paddled the Statos 14.5L twice. Great kayak, turns incredibly well and fun to paddle. I still have to try a Greenland paddle. I heard great things about them.
The Stratos is a fun daytripping "playboat". Only detraction is that it is heavier than your surfski but is obviously more 'rock proof." I really like Euro paddle for surfing because of the faster catch and acceleration with the bigger blades. I enjoy the GP more for general paddling. Since I haven't use the GP all summer, or a longboat for that matter, figure I get in some practice with both on small, sloppy waves.
@@singmoy Yes, it is exactly that, a playboat. It is heavier but it doesn't really feel heavy when paddling. I loved its seat! It is one of the kayaks available at the club I belong to. I will have to paddle it again. No great waves like the ones you have, just some confused seas!
Sterling Kayaks is a fairly small kayak maker in Washington State, US. The company specializes in making highly rockered kayaks for surfing and touring in rough waters. I like the Gemini SP but could not find one during the pandemic. Ended ordering a Progression from Sterling based on what I seen of others surfing this boat. It's longer than the Gemini at 16'2" but it sports a much high rocker than the Gemini. The Progression is optimized for wave riding as a sea kayak can be (relative to dedicated surf boats).
Surfing a Cobra ReVision - "old school" sit-on-top surf kayak. With a 13' length, it's perfect for catching and stretching out longer rides on small waves on a beach break. Using thigh straps, with the addition of a retention strap (almost a seat belt) that spans/holds the thigh straps together. It prevents the thighstraps from coming off inadvertently. See that you are a surfskier. Looking to trying one of those in the future! Paddle/surf on!
@@singmoy I paddle sit-on-top/sea kayak/surfski and even a very short waveski! I just don't have the beautiful waves you enjoy, unless I drive to the east coast and then it is really rough with breakers and sharks... I think your Cobra is the best for the waves you have. It reminded me the Viking Oxygen made here in New Zealand: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IcAuYySO-2k.html It is rotomolded so very solid, and also with thigh straps which I believe are the best for the real surf use! Where do you paddle? Looks wonderful!
I am in the northeast of US. We normally don't get waves except after a passing winter storm, or an Atlantic hurricane. We had a lot of hurricanes this summer and are still in the thick of the "tropical storm" season. @@kayakintro
@@singmoy you still have some nice waves. In Auckland it gets very windy, but we get chops and rebounds. It is often some confused water unfortunately!
That yellow thing won’t win any beauty contest BUT it doesn’t seem to catch the inside rail as much as your wski or Stratos does. I know current advice is to edge and lean into the wave once you are being pushed broadside with the inside rail caught but it is hardly being in control apart from trying to avoid wiping out. Back in the 80’s we were recommended to try and release the inside rail as soon as you felt it getting trapped. I wonder why the advice was changed?
I sure hope LEE produces a great swell @ ( P... H....) Or N- Smyrna Inlet. Sunday through... ? I believe E. FL. Has had a long drought of Hurricane & other ( Low ) produced swells that were quite commen in the80's & 90's. I moved on years ago.
Hey Jerry, Hope you are having fun with your Infinity waveski! The ReVision is a SOT surf kayak. Think of the Perception Five O stretched out to 13'. Great for catching and stretching out rides on small waves that are less ideal for waveskis. Think of SUPs vs shorter boards.
The plastic "golf balls" keep the bungee line from lying flat on the deck, where it's almost impossible to slide a slide paddle back into the holding position when one is seated in the cockpit. With the balls, it's easy to slide the shaft/loom of a half paddle back under the retainer line. The paddle blades go under the bungee lines just behind the cockpit.
@@Smrt-Squirrel Very cool. Don't know your previous experience in surf but always helpful to find more advanced partners to go out with and get some pointers; and/or that surf specific kayaking courses. I did both earlier on in my paddling. Enjoy your Stratos!
Looks like you are having a good time. Rolling the Cobra Strike with just the foot strapand thigh braces is pretty hit or miss, I rigged a seat belt once to show off when we had a surf symposium in San Diego, but I don't really use it for surfing.
Yeah, enjoy being able to squeeze long rides out of smaller waves!!! Got to outfit the cockpit more because I am swooshing around in there. Makes consistent rolling a lot harder. Some capsizes, I just get pulled out of the thigh straps before I have a chance to try. Hope you getting some play in out there!
Hey Rob! Yeah... Definitely "old school" as I had been looking for a pre-owned ReVision for 6-7 years. I wanted a longer length ride than my waveskis but didn't want to go back into touring (SINK) kayaks and all the rigermarole that goes with that. Because I hadn't been found one, I ended up getting three play oriented touring boats that rekindled my interest (if not outright love) for the type of surfing and rockplay that touring kayaks can be good for. Now, I am curious, how well does the nose of your Rockhopper kayak handle the drop into the wave trough?
The Werner Shuna is nice a mid sized paddle blade that works for well for those of us who can paddle longer and with less strain associated with the bigger blades for power paddlers. A less expensive small/mid size paddle I like and use a lot is the Aquabound Whiskey.
@@RobBanks Ah... I remember you now, by your other handle - Corgimas! You are still in the area? The old NE Surf Kayakers crew has pretty much disbanded as we are went about our respective lives and responsibilities.
@@singmoy yep, that's me! I am up in in Bev, trying to start paddling again now that the little one is 10, I hopefully have more free time. Been canoeing locally a bunch, and SUP, just not as much kayak time. So I need to change that!!!
@@RobBanks I am sure it feels good to get some time back as kids get older. Mine are in their 30s. Way more time to do what I what these days. Some good surf and rockhopping opportunities around Nahant. That's about half way between Boston and Beverly. Ping me sometime.
Thanks. The key phrase is "for giggles and rolls." My backsurfing skills are very limited. Waited for a day when no one else is around so they don't get run over by me, or to have them worried seeing the bottom of my kayak and me hanging upside down. Weather is warming. Hope you'll be able to get out more with your kayak.
@@singmoy Thx sing moy, I plan to get out soon. I like to train in the currents of the spring time thaw. And practice my backwards paddling upstream. Look forward to your next post.
Sing bringing realism to surf videos .... I think you need long peeling mushy waves to look good. Greenland paddle looks like it works really well. I've never really got to where I like to use one in the surf.
