la jolla report

[jruiz]

Originally Posted by Cbad Mike

Good to see you made it out the second time.
I launched after you first left. While I was wading out timing the waves a big set came in and as I was backing up a little I tripped and got my back wet. Some water went down the back of my waders
I started again and watched the waves but as you know they were kinda unpredictable. When I thought it was good to go I went.
As soon as I committed the water turned into a washing machine
I kept my kayak heading in the right direction and got a face full of water punching though the second wave.
I was just on the verge of thinking I made it when I saw a big wave quickly forming in front of me. It broke and started pushing me backwards I kept paddling hard (I wasn't going to make the same mistake that I did in Carlsbad when I rolled backwards). I dug my paddle in a few times and made it through the whitewater.
I was wet and paddling my ass off when I saw a smaller wave beginning to crest with a very BIG one forming right behind it.
I remember saying "don't break, don't break" out loud as I paddled into it and up it. The front of my kayak was out of the water big time as I just made it over. As soon as it smacked down the very BIG wave that was behind it started to break . The full force of the wave came down between my feet and the front of my kayak. I instantly was under the water. It was like my kayak just got yanked out from underneath me.
I was completely under water and couldn't touch the bottom when I reached up and grabbed the side of my kayak. It didn't flip and was getting pulled backwards and I some how was able to grab the front handle before my head was even above the water. I knew without thinking to keep the the kayak between me and the beach so I wouldn't get hit by it. As another wave hit me I held on to the front handle as tight as I could and let the kayak pull me toward the beach and shallower water. In about 4 feet of water I got knocked off my feet by a wave but still held the front handle and popped up in about 2 feet. Every step I took felt like I had cement shoes on because my waders filled up with water. When I got onto the sand I realized that I still was holding my paddle, I never let it go.
A surfer grabbed my kayak from me and drug it up on the beach. He said "man, you got hit by a huge wave!" and all I could say was "yep" and thanks for the help.
I was exhausted! The legs of my waders were full of water and my sweat shirt weighed probably 20 pounds. It took me a little while sitting on the side of my kayak to catch my breath.
Anyway I really didn't have the option or energy to try again so I packed up and began my cold drive home.

To the guy who posted about losing his lucky hat at the launch the other day... I checked under the water for it but didn't see it.

Were you wearing a pfd or jacket over your waders? That and a belt is usually enough to keep them from filling up.

[f'nsabiki]

"To the guy who posted about losing his lucky hat at the launch the other day... I checked under the water for it but didn't see it. "

very funny!!

[Baja_Traveler]

A cotton sweatshirt - the absolute worst thing one should wear kayaking. Go out and buy a cheap fleece jacket at ChinaMart or someplace - made from polypropylene and will not hold gallons of water, and retains its insulating properties when wet.

[Cbad Mike]

Originally Posted by Ggiannig89

This is terrifying! I know something like this is bound to happen to me, I just hope it never does

I'm not trying to scare anyone just telling what happened. Awhile ago I watched a video in which Jim Sammons was testing waders in a pool. Great video with him going under water without the waders filling up.
I think the reason I got so much water in mine was first, the force of the wave while under water "pushed" water down into them. Second, I was wearing a sweatshirt that was tucked into my waders creating gaps between the waders and myself.
As for wearing waders again..... I will. I will just be more careful about how tight the top is against ME and not a sweatshirt.
If you haven't already check out Jims wader video.

Originally Posted by Dirty Curti

Damn Bro, that's crazy! Was the GoPro running?

No, not this time. Lol. I'd like to have more videos on YouTube of me catching fish not rolling. One is enough.

Originally Posted by jruiz

Were you wearing a pfd or jacket over your waders? That and a belt is usually enough to keep them from filling up.

I ALWAYS wear my pfd! but like mentioned above I was wearing a sweatshirt tucked into my waders that made some gaps for water to get in. My pfd WAS and is ALWAYS on correctly with the straps tight and the zipper zipped so it doesn't ride up in the water. I also was wearing a belt but had the sweatshirt tucked into that also The belt is a streatchy kind and probably isn't the best.

Originally Posted by Baja_Traveler

A cotton sweatshirt - the absolute worst thing one should wear kayaking. Go out and buy a cheap fleece jacket at ChinaMart or someplace - made from polypropylene and will not hold gallons of water, and retains its insulating properties when wet.

Ahh yes. A nice big, thick, and warm sweatshirt with a hood that feels like a cinder block around your neck when it gets wet. I won't be wearing it again.



I will still wear waders but will be careful about what I wear underneath. No more sweatshirts at least while launching. Under my waders I wear those stretch type pants that you see runners wearing. They keep me warm and don't hold moisture or in this case water. I would hate to imagine how yesterday would have ended if I was wearing sweat pants under my waders.


Mike