Ocean surfing is exhilarating. The size of the surf can be many times greater than that any river wave. The vast expanse of the horizon gives a sense of a global scale. One may realize that this energy has traveled hundreds of miles. To many, this is the stuff dreams are made of.

Get The BIG Picture:
Before getting in the ocean, take a few minutes and observe. Is the tide coming in or going out? Are there rocks or reefs that pose a hazard? Can you safely handle the size of the surf? Are there any watercrafts that may pose a threat to your safety?

Getting Past The Breaks:
Timing is critical when attempting to get out past the big breaks. Typically, waves come in sets, get out between them. The wall of foam created from a wave that has crashed can be a formidable opponent. If a wave has already crashed and a foam pile is coming, you MUST get the nose above the foam-pile. Rock the bow up and pull on your knees just before the foam pile hits. As soon as the nose is above the foam pile, slam the bow back down and paddle hard. The motion of throwing the bow back down acts like an ollie, bringing your weight back over the boat and the tail up to the surface. This should help keep you from getting stuck in a backward-surf. So to recap, clear the nose, slam it down, and paddle hard.

Catching Waves:
Okay so one quick thing about catching a wave; as the wave comes under you, paddle hard and put your boat on edge. Get on a rail and you paddle until you have gained some momentum. You will be able to catch waves more easily as you are putting your boat on a track. You should also be heading slightly right or left on the wave.

So Now You're On The Wave:
It's important that you don't look straight ahead as you surf your wave. Turn your head and notice where you are in relationship to the wave, next choose where you want to go. Spot your target, lead with your head, and go to it that spot. Be decisive and look at where you want to end up. Some paddlers complain that their bow dives under as they surf down the wave. If this is the case lean back and travel in diagonal paths so the bow does not bottom out in the trough of the wave. Cutting back and forth also helps pull you higher on the wave as you are exposing more surface area to the oncoming current.

Quick Tip:
When trying to turn on a wave use a combination of forward sweep strokes and stern rudders on the opposite side. If you only rudder you will not have the momentum to drop you into your next turn (kind of like planting your ski pole ahead of your turn).

Last But Not Least:
If you capsize try to go with it and roll up the other side. If you miss your first roll, wait a few second for the water to settle down a bit before you try again. Stay relaxed, composed, and confident; two things you won't have to worry about are strainers, and keepers. It can be a bit difficult to roll in a foam pile because of turbulence and foam. Foam is less dense than green water. Therefore, it becomes harder to catch tension with the paddle blade. Waiting for the foam to settle can help give you the support you need. If your Eskimo Roll still fails remember to keep your head down and hip snap!

Saddle-Up,
Whitewaterules

What if you have to swim?


What are some good moves to throw down?


How hard will a Jackson SuperFun be to surf?

Are Rails the same thing asEdges?

How is the surf near Kitty Hawk, NC?

If you have to swim just don't let go of your paddle. Your boat will help take you in if you don't let go of that also. Swim between waves if you have to, but generally just conserve energy.

You can throw any move on the ocean wave you can do on a river wave. The key to areal moves on ocean waves is that you must do it on your first or second bounce. You should bounce as you first start coming down the wave. If you wait to long you loose potencial energy and therefore you loose speed to execute your move. Don't trick late, you'll loose your momentum. I like doing cartwheels, wavewheels, donkey flips, blunts and backstabs.

The Jackson Super Fun will be just that... super fun! It has good volume for loops too.

Yeah I interchange the terms rails and edges, yeah same thing.

Chekc out this web site. It has surf reports all around the world. This is the site for Kitty Hawk in NC:
magicseaweed.com/Kitty-Hawk-Surf-Report/677/


Have some Super Fun out there.

Peace in the Middle-East,
Whitewaterules

Great info. How do you think the wavesport super ez will do in the surf?

Wavesport Super EZ surfs well... holds edges good enough, and spins OK... but it is SLOW, and the difficulty I sometimes have with it is catching bigger waves (green to green) and in paddling back out, I find it slower than some other playboats (RX, or similar).

that said, use your EZ and have a great time!

If you Swim... stay on the 'outside' of your boat... if the waves propel a helf full kayak into you, it will ruin your day!

Hang on to the paddle, and swim for shore, use the waves to help.

And remember, always paddle with a buddy!

Ocean surfing 'self rescues' are less dramatic than river rescues...

Is it Ok to put a newbie (she will know how to roll.) on surf?

To answer Jason:
Will I'm asuming you mean the Wavesport EZ... Well it is longer than some playboats (7ft.) which will give it good speed, but it will require you to carve harder to control your locationg down the wave. The key for you will be to pay attention to how high or low you are on a wave. Also... the length may catch if you don't make decisive moves. It is a bit to heavy and long for loops and arial moves. You should still be able to spin, backstab, blunt, wavewheel, splitwheel, kickflip, donkeyflip, and do other tight moves. The key for you will be to think ahead and make your moves happen early. Make sure you are trsfu early on all of your tricks. If you are just trying to play around... carves, spins, blunts, and backstabs are the way to go.

Hope this is helpful, let me know.

Saddle-Up!
Whitewaterules

Thanks mate for the advice something for me to think about. Im a total novice when it come to playboating. is there a move list around that can explain how to do them moves(spin, backstab, blunt, wavewheel, splitwheel, kickflip, donkeyflip), or would they all be on a dvd. Thanks again mate

Right back at you Jason:
Yes there is a good site with instructional information check out my site on MySpace:
groups.myspace.com/FHIkayakgroup

If you don't have an account, join it's free. I've posted all kinds of useful \"How To\" stuff in my group called FHI Kayak Group. Check it out and join for free.

Much more to come on the site also... I will be continualy adding more material.

Saddle-Up,

Whiteaterules