Two days I paddled for a little while with the Veracruz kayakers whose main interest is speed, and paddle in the estuary on Olympic kayaks. They go out to the sea on sea kayaks only when conditions are really calm. They were through after an hour of hard paddle and I was not ready to call it a day.
I learned a lot from them. The grandfather is 75 and paddles really hard. The son won a national championship in doubles with the official Veracruz trainer. The granddaughter is national champion in K1. Anyway we did 4 hard paddled miles and stopped for a chat and coke.
They get maximum speed when they push hard in the water but space the paddling strokes. Both hands high at face level. Believe it or not, when the paddle is lifted up quickly when hand is at waist level, you gain ½ a mph in speed. Picking up the paddle slowly produces some drag. I checked it against my GPS, and it is true.
On Saturday Nov 2, a cold front was hitting with 25-30 mph winds, and waves were coming in the estuary with height about 3-4 feet, on the North bank. River rain water exits to the sea and the northern winds push water against the mouth. In the middle and South side deep bottom allows waves to enter lifting the swell due to collision with outgoing water. On the river North side, waves hit the stone wall at 15 degrees and the shallow bottom lifts the wave walls that travel breaking, until they hit the wall, splashing water upwards. People drown often in this section (no PFD, no training), and it is not too difficult but looks terrifying.
I said goodbye to my friends and went out alone to the river mouth. Paddled out and could feel the wave motion all over. Fun to ride and I was OK. I went to the North end and placed myself ready to catch a good wave. Two waves placed me in the right place and as I got ready to pick up the third one it lifted my stern and I started to go. Part of the problem is that bouncing waves collide and I was caught by surprise and saw foam all around. Attempted a roll and failed and trying an extended roll I noticed that I was in a very rough part. Wet exited and stood on the bottom with water at chest level. Waves were hitting strongly and almost got my kayak and paddle. I had to grab them hard, the kayak with my feet inside the coaming and the paddle with my hands while attempting to place the paddle float.
I could not go out on the steep walls, and there were people all over the North Bank scared and making all kinds of exclamations. I had two alternatives. 1. Paddle float reentry and roll. 2. Walk with the waves up river until they get small enough for me to reenter the kayak.
Finally I got the paddle float ready, dived in, sat in the cockpit and rolled up. I needed a left brace and my paddle position was such that I put a big injury in the water slicing it smoothly in two, and swallowing water again, but rolled up and kept my balance. Pumped out, placed my sprayskirt and went back out again. Public disappeared when they saw I was OK. I hope I did not disappoint them if expecting a more dramatic ending.
I went out and back some times but avoided the steepest point until I gain more practice.
This place is ideal for gaining confidence in rough water, following seas, clapotis, ACA courses, etc.
I am waiting for the next cold front, to go out again.
Rafael Mier-Maza
El cayuco chief