Landing a Hobie Pedal Kayak - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

2-Stix · 03-27-2016, 02:10 PM

It all depends where you are. At LJ I used the drive when its small once and the paddle when its bigger. In major surf and shore break in Malibu, Ventura and Santa Barbara I use the paddle only and time sets and haul ass. Big surf and close sets, deep water fast. There is no time to get deep enough, hop in, get straight and go. Its a 20-30 second time line from sand to past the breakers sprint. Nights I do the same. Everything is in dry bags below the hatches. Rods on leashes strapped to the side with reel covers. I landed one time at Leo with the drive down because the waves were 5' and the tide was high. I ran the risk of drive damage. My drive was loaded with sand. Never did that again.

There are some variables but 90% of the time I go drive out and strapped to the front hatch with lashes and use my paddle and sprint in and sprint out. The other 10% the waves are flat and I wade out to thigh deep water and use my drive. It also depends on the water and air temp and time of year. Do I want to get wet and freeze by being deep and use my drive or get shin deep and peddle. Lots of variables as I said. I have yet to roll. It will happen in time. Typical waves are 2-3', high 50's-low 60's water temp and gray light launches with strong beach rip tides. I run a Hobie Outback. They don't paddle straight, but the harder you paddle them the more they straighten out. I have had good luck.

Mr. NiceGuy · 03-28-2016, 03:09 PM

Go out with an empty kayak in waves that are just beyond your ability and knock around to learn techniques that are most comfortable to you.

If you are in San Diego, try going to the mouth of the river at Dog Beach in OB. That's a good place to practice in a variety of waves. Wave height there is generally higher than at La Jolla Shores. Go out into the breakers and hold in position facing outward for several sets. Then turn your bow toward shore and hold the same position through several sets with waves coming from behind you. You will probably quickly begin to learn the physics of what's happening. As your confidence builds, then turn sideways and let the waves broadside you. You will then understand about leaning into the wave or away from the wave. Learn how to dig in your paddle sharp and fast to try to stop surfing from developing or to keep yourself perpendicular to the waves as they crash into you. Learn how to skim your paddle on the surface for balance and steering when a wave catches you. Learn when to dig in, and how much.

I avoid surfing in. Surfing a wave is fun when it starts, but too much momentum quickly develops and then becomes uncontrollable. My Outback was not designed for surfing. At the end of a surf run, it tends to turn sideways into a roll if it doesn't crash harder first.

Dig in your paddle and paddle backwards to kill surfing before it starts. Stay in control as much as possible.

If you get parallel to a wave and are going to get clobbered, lean into the wave. The kayak will lift up and the water will pass under you. If you let the kayak lean away from the wave, you will lose control and roll.

Before you go home, go out in the river mouth where it's calm and practice re-boarding your upright kayak in water over your head. Then practice turning your kayak right side up from a capsized position ... in water over your head, wearing your PFD.

When your kayak is full of water sloshing around, you might think about the benefit of having a hand pump.

That's a short list of some things to think about. If you go knock around and challenge yourself on a nice day in an empty kayak it will make more sense than learning the hard way when you are full of gear. It's better to know your limits in advance, then practice raising your limits in a methodical way.

Have fun!

Mr. NiceGuy · 03-28-2016, 03:25 PM

Here's another idea:

She's a busy lady, but if you can gather a couple of buddies who want to learn with you, see if you can book a lesson with Jen Kleck of Aqua Adventures in Mission Bay. She's one of the best. Google her name and you'll see what I mean.

When I was thinking things through in advance and preparing myself for safe ocean fishing, the time and money I spent with her was time and money well spent.

Now that I've been practicing in La Jolla for a year, it might behoove me to go back to Jen again for "Knocking Around, Part 2"

As an instructor, she is outstanding.

03-27-2016, 02:10 PM	#1
2-Stix Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 376	It all depends where you are. At LJ I used the drive when its small once and the paddle when its bigger. In major surf and shore break in Malibu, Ventura and Santa Barbara I use the paddle only and time sets and haul ass. Big surf and close sets, deep water fast. There is no time to get deep enough, hop in, get straight and go. Its a 20-30 second time line from sand to past the breakers sprint. Nights I do the same. Everything is in dry bags below the hatches. Rods on leashes strapped to the side with reel covers. I landed one time at Leo with the drive down because the waves were 5' and the tide was high. I ran the risk of drive damage. My drive was loaded with sand. Never did that again. There are some variables but 90% of the time I go drive out and strapped to the front hatch with lashes and use my paddle and sprint in and sprint out. The other 10% the waves are flat and I wade out to thigh deep water and use my drive. It also depends on the water and air temp and time of year. Do I want to get wet and freeze by being deep and use my drive or get shin deep and peddle. Lots of variables as I said. I have yet to roll. It will happen in time. Typical waves are 2-3', high 50's-low 60's water temp and gray light launches with strong beach rip tides. I run a Hobie Outback. They don't paddle straight, but the harder you paddle them the more they straighten out. I have had good luck. Last edited by 2-Stix; 03-27-2016 at 02:24 PM.

03-28-2016, 03:09 PM	#2
Mr. NiceGuy Manic for Life Join Date: May 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 839	Go out with an empty kayak in waves that are just beyond your ability and knock around to learn techniques that are most comfortable to you. If you are in San Diego, try going to the mouth of the river at Dog Beach in OB. That's a good place to practice in a variety of waves. Wave height there is generally higher than at La Jolla Shores. Go out into the breakers and hold in position facing outward for several sets. Then turn your bow toward shore and hold the same position through several sets with waves coming from behind you. You will probably quickly begin to learn the physics of what's happening. As your confidence builds, then turn sideways and let the waves broadside you. You will then understand about leaning into the wave or away from the wave. Learn how to dig in your paddle sharp and fast to try to stop surfing from developing or to keep yourself perpendicular to the waves as they crash into you. Learn how to skim your paddle on the surface for balance and steering when a wave catches you. Learn when to dig in, and how much. I avoid surfing in. Surfing a wave is fun when it starts, but too much momentum quickly develops and then becomes uncontrollable. My Outback was not designed for surfing. At the end of a surf run, it tends to turn sideways into a roll if it doesn't crash harder first. Dig in your paddle and paddle backwards to kill surfing before it starts. Stay in control as much as possible. If you get parallel to a wave and are going to get clobbered, lean into the wave. The kayak will lift up and the water will pass under you. If you let the kayak lean away from the wave, you will lose control and roll. Before you go home, go out in the river mouth where it's calm and practice re-boarding your upright kayak in water over your head. Then practice turning your kayak right side up from a capsized position ... in water over your head, wearing your PFD. When your kayak is full of water sloshing around, you might think about the benefit of having a hand pump. That's a short list of some things to think about. If you go knock around and challenge yourself on a nice day in an empty kayak it will make more sense than learning the hard way when you are full of gear. It's better to know your limits in advance, then practice raising your limits in a methodical way. Have fun! __________________ Another ho-hum day in Paradise Last edited by Mr. NiceGuy; 03-28-2016 at 09:43 PM.

03-28-2016, 03:25 PM	#3
Mr. NiceGuy Manic for Life Join Date: May 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 839	Here's another idea: She's a busy lady, but if you can gather a couple of buddies who want to learn with you, see if you can book a lesson with Jen Kleck of Aqua Adventures in Mission Bay. She's one of the best. Google her name and you'll see what I mean. When I was thinking things through in advance and preparing myself for safe ocean fishing, the time and money I spent with her was time and money well spent. Now that I've been practicing in La Jolla for a year, it might behoove me to go back to Jen again for "Knocking Around, Part 2" As an instructor, she is outstanding. __________________ Another ho-hum day in Paradise Last edited by Mr. NiceGuy; 03-28-2016 at 03:36 PM.