First time out on the ski...
Well took the ski out to Dana Point Sunday with my brother. Since my brother is just getting started in the SOTs, I was hoping to get him out past the break water to experience the excitement of the open ocean. We made our way out to the break water edge, and made a pretty good team. Him learning how to paddle his new craft with that silly double sided paddle (he is used to canoes) and me trying to stay on top of the ski with a little bit of chop in the harbor. I was a little shakey at first, but once we started chatting I soon forgot about the ski and simply relaxed and paddled with little trouble.. Heck, I was even looking around without any trouble. (A new trick.)

We got out to the end of the break water and proceeded around the tip. Conditions were pretty glassy with a slight swell coming at us, and a few sail boats about to enter the harbor. Typical light wind conditions. Rick seemed to enjoy the swells in his very stable SOT (The Ride from Wilderness systems) and I was forced to drop my feet into the water and attempts to keep my ballance even in the steady, non-confused swell was beyond my skills. We took in the sights, and then started heading back into the harbor. Rick was ahead of me, and I was still back at the breakwater point when I rolled over in an instant. I think I had my feet on the deck at the time. Rats, my first water re-entery and it has to be at the more traffic laden spot of the harbor entrance? I called Rick over just in case as I have never done a deep water re-entery in any of my boats, but it turned out to be pretty easy to get back onto the ski and moving. Doubt I would be able to do the same in a confused sea, but then again, I can't paddle the thing in a confused sea either. Not yet anyhow.

On the move again, and Rick has headed back into the harbor ahead of me. Well, I can't let that SOT beat me!! So I get some speed going and pass him with little effort, then start to slow down to paddle alongside him when over I go again. Not sure what got me this time, but it was interesting to fall off at speed. As I was going over I thought, I best keep a hand on the ski to keep her from darting away. So hoped back on and that was the last of the excitement. We headed back to Baby Beach and loaded up.

Still a short trip, but we both got to have some new experiences and practice and best of all we had a great time.

On a side note, I'm glad I had polished and waxed the ski the night before as it made sliding into the seat a lot easier during the remounts.

This concluded 4 days straight of kayak trips. That sounds like a great weekend to me. 3 surfski outings, and 1 SOT outing. I have come to the conclusion that my SOT hurts my back, and the Ski does not. Go figure since the SOT has a back rest... Maybe it is the extra weight of the SOT.

See you on the water,

Wayne

Submitted on March 14, 2005