Sea Kayak St. Marys

I had planned to surf at Huguenot Memorial Park with Keith this past Thursday, but our plans had to change. The only parking available at Huguenot is on the beach, but they have been having unusually high tides that have resulted in there being no beach parking available below the high tide mark. That just did not work for me. 

We headed up to Amelia Island and tried to find some good breaks. However, the sea was not cooperating. All of the waves were just dumping straight down. There were some decent swells farther out, but it took too much energy to ride them. Nonetheless I shoved off the beach and headed out to find a few good breaks. 

I paddled out into the surf, armed with a Greenland paddle and my new spray skirt(review to come later). It was quite difficult to get through the breakers with the Greenland paddle. I am accustomed to having much more ‘bite’ on the water. The first wave I caught dumped me nearly instantly. I was trying to brace with the Greenland paddle as I do with a Euro blade. So in the name of safety, I retreated to the car to get my trusty surf paddle. Switching paddles did not make the day much safer, but at least I felt like I had a little more control over the boat.

The next wave that I caught was awesome. I dug deep and flew down the wave face while carving to the right. The wave broke violently and started to broach me, but I high braced hard and leaned into the wave a little more. All seemed well, but a lapse in concentration sent me over.

My third go was the least successful of them all, in an attempt to prove to Keith that it wasn’t too rough to make it in without capsizing, I waited for a good set. But, the problem was that there were no true sets. The waves were 3-5ft dumping waves that were about 4 seconds apart. So I picked a good wave and gave it my best go. I caught the wave gracefully, even rode it gracefully, but once the wave broke I exited the wave and started to make by break to shore. Though shore was only 30 yards away, the frequent crashing waves made it difficult to get there. I was just begining to turn the boat  toward shore when a 5ft wave came out of nowhere a tossed me over. Thankfully I was wearing my WRSI helmet because my head smacked the bottom.

What a terrible day for surfing, an hour in the water and only three reasonable waves. All is well now, no broken bones and the only soreness that I have is from trying to catch waves. I am thankful that WRSI kept my neck and noggin safe. I will have to go out on a calmer day to practice surfing with a Greenland paddle.