Surfing has existed for long enough but Kayak surfing is definitely a new sport that is getting popular by the day. The regular board surfing that we see today originated in Hawaii but the origin of kayak surfing is still a mystery. Many people say that maybe Indians and Eskimos are responsible since they have been using canoes and kayaks since the time of Captain Cook.
Surfing came into the forefront after the advent of fiberglass canoes around the late 60's and since then the design and the material used for single or two people kayaks have changed considerably. Inflatable kayaks are in while canoes are out!
Kayak Surfing is similar to board surfing where the surfer is on a lookout for the biggest wave that will make his ride extraordinary. The ride is normally divided into 3 sections, the take-off, the finish or the end maneuver, and the ride in between. The two most important aspects of kayak surfing include the paddle out and the wipeout.
Wipe Outs
Wipe out simply means that something goes wrong and you lose control of your kayak. This depends primarily on the size as well as the nature of the wave. The effect can be spectacular as well as painful, and may come with surprises in the form of cartwheels and capsizes. It’s definitely not for the faint hearted!
If you don’t get out of your kayak in time, then you'll find your kayak being pushed sideways towards the beach. This particular effect is known as the bongo slide. As a kayak surfer, you will need to master it and once you do so, you will feel very comfortable in tackling any wave however small or big it is. You will need to practice bongo slide to become perfect in handling the situation. For this, you need to paddle out on your inflatable kayaks to a place where you can find broken waves at regular intervals. Here you can turn your kayak in such a way that it faces the waves in a sideways position. When the water hits you, edge your kayak right into the wave and then apply a low brace. The wave will push your kayak sideways and you will bounce your way to the beach in a classical bongo slide position.
The Paddle Out
If you are a beginner in kayak surfing then paddling out through the surf can be tough as well as intimidating. There are many beginners, who reach beyond the break line but find it difficult to paddle back in again. To master the paddle out, you need patience and skill. You have to learn the art of getting out quickly. Before you actually start learning about paddle out, you need to understand that it is important to avoid being hit in the upper torso by the brutal force of a broken wave.
To be a master Kayak surfer, you will need the best inflatable kayak, which you can find at Coleman Kayaks. Coleman kayaks offer safety and quality and you get the option to choose between a one-person sit on top kayak and a two-person tandem sit-on-top kayak.
