Kayak surfing in the Sea of Cortez is one of the best-kept secrets in the paddling world. It is Fun and great exercise it’s a wonder why the practice isn’t more popular. Whether you are a whitewater pro, a surfer or just wanting to branch out to the sea but have never been in a kayak, but still are curious, this guide will help you on your way to ocean kayak surfing in the Sea of Cortez.
Difficulty – Intermediate
Here’s How to get started:
- Evaluate and Make a Judgment Call: When you get out to the ocean, assess the conditions. If the water looks too rough, please don’t try to go surf kayaking. Do not be discouraged — as anyone who knows waves and goes to a beach knows, the waves can change and fluctuate widely throughout the day keeping with the tide. Safety is most important.
- Dress the part – When Kayak Surfing in the Ocean: It is tempting when planning on surf kayaking to go ahaead without a helmet or a life jacket. After all, surfers don’t do it so why would I? Don’t even think about it. This is a really bad idea. You can never know when you might be thrown or tossed upside down into a coral sandbar, at which point, you will be extremely glad you wore that helmet! It is also really important to wear a lifevest or personal floatation device (PFD).
- Check the Waves out from the Shore: Before you jump in your kayak, devise a plan of attack on how you will be kayaking out to the break. take a min ute and Time the waves to see if there is a big enough lull to paddle out. If not, you will have to paddle through the waves or around the waves.
- Hop into Your Kayak: It is always best to get into your kayak at the edge of where the surf hits the shore. This way you can keep your kayak from getting moved by the impinging coastline. Once ready to launch, try to use your arms underneath the kayak to lift kayak up and push you into the water.
- Paddling Out to Catch Waves: Once you have pushed off into the water, you’re ready for the battle.
A few Tips:
- Practice a Solid Kayak Roll prior to trying this: This tip is a prerequisite before thinking about being able to go kayak surfing. Swimming out of your kayak should never be an option while out in the ocean. Even if you are an olympic swimmer and can swim to shore, and rescuing your kayaking equipment can be extremely difficult.
- Always Use the Right Kind of Kayak: Standard Recreational kayaks are not the kind to be used in the ocean surf. The only suitable kayaks that should be contemplated to surf in the ocean are whitewater kayaks that have been fitted with spray skirts or the sit-on-top style kayaks that are already made for the ocean. While some sea kayaks have been used to surf a wave or two on the way into shore, this should not be attempted and is not a preferred vessel that should be used to be surfing the waves and they haven’t been made for that style of paddling.
What You will Need
- A Surf Kayak
- A Surf Paddle
- A PFD (Lifejacket)
- A water resistant Helmet
- Yo man of course you need Waves!
