Events - Event View

This event is for HASK Members only.  If you are not a HASK Member and are interested in participating, please join HASK (you will need to be a member of the American Canoeing Association also) or contact Phil Salvador (phil.salvador@gmail.com)

PLEASE DON'T SIGN UP FOR THIS COURSE IF YOU ARE ALREADY SKILLED AT ITS OBJECTIVES.  THIS COURSE IS MEANT FOR REAL BEGINNERS OR THOSE WITH MINIMAL SKILLS IN THIS ACTIVITY.  THANK YOU!

Note - I have lifted this description from an excellent version created for earlier HASK surf events and modified it to suit mine.  Thank you to those who worked up the original.

The objective -- to create a safe environment for HASK paddlers new to surf conditions to learn and practice the following paddling skills: beach launch and land, maneuvering in light surf (1.5’ wave height max), and bracing into waves to avoid capsize.  Surf safety will be discussed.

Forecast conditions -To be determined a few days before the event.

Skills you will need

(1) Effective wet exit and comfortable paddling with a spray deck.

(2) Basic forward stroke and boat control

 Necessary equipment to participate

1. PFD that can be cinched tight at the waist so it does not ride up in the water.
2. a kayak-specific HELMET - protects your head against impact from kayaks and sandbars. Not a bicycle helmet.  I can provide if you don't have,
3. a kayak with watertight compartments in the bow and stern, perimeter deck lines, toggles at bow/stern.
4. a properly fitting water-tight spray skirt
5. if you are going to wear glasses of any type, a very secure glass strap
6. footwear that won’t come off in the surf or get snagged inside your kayak
7. Optional - nose clips (e.g. Cottonmouth clips) will reduce the amount of salt water and sand in your sinuses  

Clothing

The water and air temperatures will probably be cold.  Maybe quite cold.  Chances of getting wet are high, so please be wearing a dry or wet suit and have warming options (e.g. hot drink) on the beach or near by (e.g. dry clothes, towel, energy food and drink).  Simultaneously, the sun may be fierce, and suitable protection is recommended (hat (while not paddling), sun glasses, covering clothing, sun cream)

Hazards

(1) Dumping surf -- breaking waves will turn you over quickly.   It is always surprising how much energy is in the waves.
(2) Your kayak -- Your kayak empty is a 60 pound missile. Flooded it is a 250 pound missile. After a wet exit, IMMEDIATELY get on the Gulf side of your kayak, get to the BOW toggle, and hold on.  If you see a capsized kayak coming, take evasive action.

(3) Other kayaks – Every kayak (with or without a paddler) can be a missile coming towards you.  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 rough water, we only allow paddle tethers to be used on sit-on-tops surf skis, never in sit-inside kayaks.  Tow ropes will be kept handy but if a tow is needed, everybody not involved must stay well away.  

(6) The hard sand bottom – The shallow water, usually from chest deep to below knee deep, and the sandbars.  Kayak helmets must be worn at all times.  Every experienced surf paddler can tell you about being hit by a kayak, or going head-first into the sand.

(7) Surf fishermen and their fishing lines – we need to avoid them.  We are going early to hopefully avoid the crowds.
(8) Swimmers --I don't expect any, but you never know.

(9) Pooped paddlers –During the session, take at least one 10-minute break every 30 minutes, and drink some water.

Entrance Fee

There is a day-visit entrance fee of $5 per adult.  Park officials strongly advise that visitors pay for a permit in advance, either online. 

https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/galveston-island-state-park/r/facilityDetails.do?contractCode=TX&parkId=1200075&_ga=2.64619819.546344660.1588003601-486977258.1574702617&pk_vid=185b132cfa377c81175424511993e286

or by Calling a Customer Service Center (512) 389-8900 Monday - Friday, 8AM to 5PM. 

Links to these sites can be found by starting at https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/galveston-island

You can pay on the day at the Main Entrance also, assuming the park is not already full for the day.

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

 

This is an ACA sanctioned event. All participants in ACA-insured activities must wear properly-fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejackets (Personal Flotation Devices, or PFDs) at all times during on-water activities. 

Non-HASK'ers wishing to participate please check with Phil Salvador first.  Non-HASK participants must sign a waiver. See all rules at the bottom of this page.

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 WaiverACA-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. 

Guests wishing to participate please check with Phil Salvador first.  Guests – You are welcome to join us for a couple of paddle trips.  HASK will cover the $5 ACA event membership for non-ACA members. Hopefully you will then join HASK and continue paddling with us.