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Surf Kayaking Training At Surfside - Beach Access 4

When:
Saturday, August 8, 2015, 9:30 AM until 1:00 PM
Where:
Beach Access 4, Surfside Beach. Use GPS / Google Lat/Long below.
29°00'14.7"N 95°13'17.6"W

Additional Info:
Event Contact(s):
Rob Plenderleith
Category:
HASK Training
Registration is closed - Event is full
Payment In Full In Advance Only
Capacity:
12
Available Slots:
Filled
No Fee
Photos of past events:  go to the photo page and look at the surf kayaking photo album 
 
Capacity and Slots Available -- 4 instructors and 8 students.   Walk-ons are not welcome - sorry - we need to manage the risks of surf paddling and this event is limited to people who have registered.
 
The instructors – HASK members will provide instruction.  We will have no less than one instructor for every 2 students on the water.  The instructors’ first mission is the students’ safety at all times.

 

The objective -- to teach you how to safely launch and land in moderate surf (2 foot surf or less).  We will not teach kayak surfing at this event; the skills taught in this class need to be mastered before attempting to learn to surf a kayak. Skills covered include:

 

(1)  Unassisted launching techniques;

 

(2)  An effective low brace to remain upright in breaking waves (this is “the” essential skill);

 

(3)  Paddling out through the break;

 

(4)  Paddling in to the beach under control.

 

 These skills are required to do offshore paddles on the Gulf side of the islands.

 

 The target student 

 

(1) a true 1st timer paddling in the surf or

 

(2) a paddler with some experience at surf paddling, but just cannot reliably stay upright when trying to launch or land in surf or paddle in the surf zone.

 

 Necessary skills to participate – You must be a competent flat water paddler, which means that on flat water you

 

(1) can paddle forward confidently,

(2) can paddle in reverse, even though you might be a bit tentative,

(3) can maintain a straight course and can confidently change directions using bow and stern sweeps and stern rudders,

(4) are confident doing a wet exit. 

 

These skills are necessary for your safety and the safety of others.  If you have not paddled before with either Rob Plenderleith or Bob Scaldino, you must  email Rob the name a trip leader who is familiar with your paddling skills.

 

Necessary equipment to participate

 

(1) a PFD that can be cinched tight at the waist - you WILL be in the water,

(2) a kayak-specific helmet - essential protection from kayaks and head-stands on the sand

(3) a kayak with watertight compartments in the bow and stern, bow and stern deck lines,

(4) a properly fitting water-tight spray skirt,

(5) if you are going to wear glasses of any type, a very secure glass strap, and

(6) footwear which won't come off in the surf, and has no loose laces or anything that can get snagged during a wet exit

(7) sunscreen

 

Directions - 


Beach Access 4 - Drive to Surfside Beach then turn left on the Bluewater Highway or drive to Galveston cross the San Luis Pass bridge on the Bluewater Highway.  Beach Access 4 is about halfway from San Luis Pass to Surfside Village.

 
8th St, Quintana  TX 77541 - Google it.  Drive onto the beach.  We will be near the fishing pier.

  

Hazards:

 

(1) Big dumping surf --  The Galveston-Surfside coast typically has a sea swell from two directions, east and southeast.  The swell is additive when the two match, so a 2 foot swell will give you an occasional 4 foot breaking wave that you need to deal with.  We will not paddle if the surf is too large, and in any regard, students will do their training close enough to the beach for the trip leader and assistants to be standing in waist deep water providing feedback to the students.

 

(2)  Strong offshore winds – Winds from the west and northwest blow offshore and present a real hazard if students accidentally paddle too far out.  One of the assistants will be the designated “lifeguard” and will ensure that students are turned back to the beach.  If the wind is forecast to be above 20 mph we will postpone or cancel the event.

 

(3)  Your kayak -- Your kayak empty is a 60 pound missile.  Flooded it is a 250 pound missile.  When you are in the water, you must get to and stay on the Gulf side of your kayak and avoid the beach side.  Your helmet is a necessary part of your defense from your kayak, and other kayaks, but it's only covering your head.  We will teach you techniques you can use to control your kayak in the surf after you wet exit.

 

(4)  Your paddling companions’ kayaks – Every empty kayak and kayak with a paddler on board is a potential missile considering you as a target.  The surf zone pushes kayaks around and even excellent paddlers are not always in precise control of their boats.  Be vigilant about protecting yourself, the other kayakers, and everyone else who is in the water and playing on the beach.

 

(5)  Entanglement in paddle leashes or tow ropes.   We do not allow the use of either paddle leashes when we are doing surf training.  They present a serious risk to everyone on and in the water.  If a tow line is needed, the Instructors will have one handy.

 

(6)  The hard sand bottom.  We teach in shallow water, usually from waist deep to below knee deep.  Your helmet is your necessary protection while learning in the surf.  This is a real hazard - look at the scratches and chips on the Instructors' helmets.

 

(7)  Shoulder injuries – Improper technique can expose shoulders to injury.  We will specifically be teaching you the techniques which minimize this risk.  If you have shoulder issues, please bring them to the attention of the Trip Leader or an Assistant Trip Leaders before the class starts.

 

(8)  Surf fishermen and their fishing lines – We will do everything to avoid them.  Stay well away !

 

(9)  Water babies of any age –  Your heavy kayak being paddled to  the beach, or worse yet your empty flooded kayak being swept to the beach is a real hazard for anyone in the water, especially children of any age.  We will not train or paddle in any area where we might conflict with non-kayakers in the water or playing on the beach.

 

(10)  Dehydration – Take water and drink it.  Your water must be secured under a hatch or in a PFD pouch.  Two hours of hard work paddling in the surf is a long time.

 

(11)  Jellyfish of all sorts – We occasionally see them on the beach.  Don’t step on them.  As an option, wear a long sleeve shirt and long pants for protection.

 

(12)  Pooped paddlers – Two hours of training in the surf will wear you out.  That is why we will take end the beginners class out at 12:00 noon.  During the two hour session, take two or three 10 minute breaks, and drink some water.   After a capsize and getting your kayak back to the beach, take time for a drink and a stretch.  These opportunities will occur !

 

Restrooms / changerooms: None at any of our surfing locations.  Dilution is the solution to pollution.
 
 

Number of paddlers: at any time we will have no more than 2 students per instructor with a maximum of 8 students in the class. 

 

Trip Leader

Rob Plenderleith

Trip Assistants

Bob Scaldino

Trip Rating*

4 (don’t be frightened away by the rating. See the  necessary skills  listed above, which is all you need for this event.

Ready to Launch at

9:30   We will be starting on time !

Duration (hours)

2.5 hr class.  The Instructors will likely paddle a little after the class is over.

Paddling Miles

NA

Emergency Initiator

NA

Emergency Phone #s

Brazoria County Sheriff --979-388-2392

US Coast Guard Search and Rescue --409-766-5633

Latest Expected Departure from beach

1pm

Auto Description/Lic #

Distance from Houston

80 miles

 

* Trip ratings are only a guide. Actual conditions will vary with wind and other weather.

 

This is an ACA sanctioned event. Every participant must wear a PFD.

 

Waivers - Please complete our easy to use online waiver if you are a HASK member who has not signed a waiver within the last 12 months or a non- HASK participant. Read the waiver carefully.  You give up substantial rights when you sign it.

  • Add Smartwaiver with email address “noreply@smartwaiver.com” to your address book to ensure emails do not go to junk/spam.
  • Select a link below to complete the online waiver. 

   ACA-HASK Adult Waiver ACA-HASK Minor Waiver

  • Respond to the “Confirm your E-Signature” email from ACA / HASK to confirm your email address.  Wavier is now complete and valid.
  • You will receive a confirmation email. Please download and print a copy of the waiver and bring it to the trip put-in.