Should change my name to Scaredy Kat!

[roadx]

thanks! i'll look for the brown spot. i swear i have caught some kind of hybrid that is a cross between the two
i always carry a rock fish id with me

[taggermike]

Don't sound like a scardy cat to me. There is no doubting your comitment and you are expanding your comfort zone about every time you go out. The first, or 100th, time you see a thresher jump is just amazing. The only way I know to make surf landings easier and less anxiety inducing is to practice them. No surprise is the best surprise and knowing how your kayak handles really helps. If you get side ways riding the white water, and you will, most people's natural reaction is to lean away from the wave. This makes you turn over in about zero seconds, and as you found out puts the kayk between you and the wave where it can be pushed in to your head. Try to lean hard in to the wave, stick you paddle way out in to the white water and lean your upper body on it (called bracing) and you can ride sideways all the way in to the beach. Another, rather unceramonious, way to land is to come in backwards(faceing out to sea).Keep your bow in to the surf, give a few strokes out to lift your bow over the wave then let it pull you toward the beach. Kinda strange but it does work and makes it easier to see the waves and to keep you kayak perpendicular to the waves and beach. Sorry, this got long, leave your gear at home a practice surf launches and landings. Mike

[wiredantz]

I should of wore a helmet when i started going....

[Aaron&Julie]

Nice story and report. Everyone has a learning curve, and there are trials and tribulations along that route. Sounds like you're into what you are doing, and that's a huge plus. Thresher jumps are bitchen'.