Sea Kayaking Disaster- Huge Wave Breaks My Kayak

For weeks I've been itching to get my Melker Rodloga to the coast to see how it performs in the sea. Unfortunately I was having an off day and made some judgement errors that could have gotten me seriously hurt. Thankfully the boat took the brunt of the abuse and I walked away with a few scratches, and a bruised ego. The Melker on the Other hand had a hole the size of a Banana right through the bow. Thankfully as a crew we had the kit needed to do a half baked field repair that was able to limp me home. Lots of lessons were learned on this trip. Our foundation knowledge of C.L.A.P (Communication, Line of Sight, Avoidance, Positioning) all broke down. I was caught in a spot I never should have been. We should have discussed communication and hand signals before we got into rough water. Line of Sight was good, and Nick had eyes on me the whole time and was right on me as soon as it was safe to do so. Avoidance would have meant looking at closer at my surroundings, acknowledging my mental state and choosing a safer route. Lastly Positioning, had I been in a better positiion were I had a better visual at the sea I would have seen the sets coming. I was in my head and looking where I did not want the kayak to go, and because of that I turned by back on the sea and paid for it!
It's important to know that I have been trained on all of this for years! I made the mistake of being complacent, and being rushed. These skills are something that needs to be exercised and refreshed! One and done instruction doesn't work on the ocean. Since this video I've taken a 3 day coastal training from the pros at Liquid Fusion Kayaking in Fort Bragg. I'll have a future story on that whole process.
I hope you learn from my mistakes and get proper instruction. Thanks for paddling with me today. I'll catch you on the next one!
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[@Frictionfactor]

Dan, I always love how humble you are in your videos. You easily could decide to not post vids like this and deny sharing a learning moment to the rest of us. I appreciate your content, and it has made a better kayaker for it! I'm am glad that you are okay, and learned a lesson. Always trust your gut. Don't force it. Don't try to prove anything to a girl/guy, friends, or perhaps the hardest of all, yourself. Take care of yourself, and good luck with the repairs!

[@HeadwatersKayak]

I appreciate that!

[@ayyybug]

Wrong place and time in the wrong boat, shit happens though. For those doubting that set was nothing too scoff at. Not the day we were planning have but glad things turned out way better then what I initially thought seeing you from the water. Still happy you were able to make it out and hoping for better waves next time. Nothing will cure doubt in your sea kayaking skills quicker then a course with Jeff and Cate though! and for those who want to experience the beauty of the Trinidad coastline without monster sets, don't worry. We at Kayak Trinidad have safety always at the top priority, wether it be tours, lessons or helping you pick your future favorite sea kayak.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

You guys were legends! Thanks so much for helping me out of a tough spot.

[@MrMagnat007]

Dan, All this proves, Is even the pro's can screw it up.. And you are so right.. Mother Nature does not care if you have a Hobie, a Jackson or a Walmart special.. the wrong paddle stroke and she will make you regret it. Thank you for uploading it and reminding us that PFD's , float bags, Dry bags, First Aid kits, Friends or Instructors and Duct tape are essential for ocean kayaking. You are safe and that is all that counts !

[@NickSchade]

After COVID and the ubiquity of hand sanitizer, I now have it in my repair kit. Alcohol does a good job displacing water and allowing the hull surface to dry and give patches a better ability to stick.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Great tip!

[@jddorland]

This is why we watch. For inspiration and education. And entertainment of coarse. Glad you are safe!

[@georgewilliamssr5230]

You broke the first rule of wilderness activity. Never Second Guess Your Gut Instincts.

[@rickquist3992]

Way to rally Bro! Great recovery.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Thanks 👍

[@SuperMobile66]

Glad you’re ok and your buddies were able to provide some support! Sorry about the kayak though - what a beauty. I always really appreciate your humility and vulnerability. This must have been tough. 👊

[@LetsGoPaddling]

Mistakes happen but the crucial thing is that you've returned safely and are all fine. The damaged kayak is not important at this point. You and your friends have a load of experience and good cooperation to sort the problem out. Thank you very much for showing it to us, Dan. 👍 Not everyone has the skills (myself included) to handle it properly. ... and next time will be much better. 😉

[@margefrommars6905]

So glad this story had a happy ending, I also really respect that you post your failures ( for lack of a better word) as well as your victories. Love your content and appreciate all that you do for the kayaking community ❤

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Thank you so much. We learn more from our failures 100%.

[@KingTesticus]

Thank you for posting this. I am just getting started in paddle sports and have been binge-watching your channel because the information you're providing is beyond price,. But this right here makes me trust you all the more because you're being honest with yourself, and it shows thru. Even the "experts" make errors in judgment that seem insignificant in the moment, but propagate into something way worse later. When "the inner voice" advocates for caution, I am going to pause and heed it. That's the lesson to learn here.

[@mikecooke5874]

Not sure if you'll read this but wanted to mention something that helped me deal with job related PTSD and specifically traumatic experiences. EMDR helped tremendously in working through the aftermath of being present when colleagues were lost in the line of duty. The loss of your friend is no different. Just an fyi if you ever feel like you need it.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Thanks for reaching out. I’m seeing someone who specializes in that. He works mostly with combat vets and first responders. A fire fighter buddy connected me with him.

[@rogeru73]

Hate being surpriced by suddenly bigger waves that comes along when least expecting it...

[@Sugarfoot108]

Thank you for sharing. As a lifetime paddler and coach now in my late 60s, I have have my share of sobering experiences. Glad you got through it safely. The ocean teaches us so much about ourselves.

[@firekeeper2005]

Hey Dan, I really appreciate all of your vids. I've learned so much about Kayaking from them. I have only been paddling for 2 yeaars. I live on the Mendocino coast. My gut tells me to stay off of the ocean!! So I enjoy Big River, Noyo & Albion rivers. Maybe some day I'll venture out. Seeing this really helped me know how important it is to be prepared. Thanks for the greaat lessons.

[@erhodes352]

Nice job staying humble and always learning and improving!

[@clahr7671]

So grateful you’re ok - ❤🙏🏼🌅

[@HeadwatersKayak]

🙏

[@saltycat262]

Scary! Thanks for sharing this. Very educational.

[@seehongkongsea]

I was hit by 4 of this similar wave, and I'm never the same again. Its truly gnarling

[@jamesandmarlamacheel8898]

Thanks for sharing, glad your ok.

[@bradralph3317]

Glad your ok. Thanks for sharing.

[@ethanebersold]

Great video and teamwork.

[@scrubjay93]

Thank you for sharing what it feels like to be in a scarier situation - felt very raw. I have a very healthy fear of the cold Pacific Ocean. Glad it all worked out with you safe.

[@The66Leadfoot]

Good to see you back on the horse Dan!

[@singmoy]

Thanks for sharing that incident!!! Lots to learn and consider for those who go out to play in more challenging venues.

[@danerik.westerlind]

What a crash, glad that you didn't get injured. Thanks for sharing!🤗

[@AirOnTheWater]

Bit dramatic there for a bit! Glad you weren't seriously injured and the Rödlöga took the hit. Some impressive handling before that in all cases. Thanks for sharing.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Yea my heart was racing even while editing. Scary moments for sure.

[@jezmarshall9941]

It's humbling when someone is brave enough to put experiences like this online for us to learn from. Honest analysis of those near- miss events contributes to a safety culture that benefits all. As they say in aviation, a great pilot uses advanced judgement to avoid needing to use advanced skills .I'll keep the lessons from this stored away for future reference

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Awesome I’m glad you see it that way. Most folks were very positive about me posting this.

[@danielfloro1837]

Glad you are ok.

[@ALFarrell-kv6ok]

Thanks for contributing your errors for our lessons. Very helpful.

[@user-ch1th6lw1m]

I really appreciate you sharing videos like this where things don't go as planned, and your thoughts and emotions around the experience. Great for inexperienced paddlers like me. And I think when you share your thoughts about the experience it really makes for a deeper and more real video. Thanks so much for sharing this .

[@juliamc7144]

It's been a rough year for you. Glad you made it out OK. Sorry about that beutiful boat.

[@dannycaudill70]

Mistakes happen, you are a paddler wise beyond anything I’ll ever be, but I do watch your videos to learn. I mostly fish but all your stuff is so informative, glad to see you safe

[@billstowe2]

Excellent instructional vid, even, or especially, for a beginner like me. Thanks for sharing your failures too!

[@vibinwithlou8261]

Glad your ok man, definitely a wild experience. Those guys you were with are awesome, I did a Kayak Trinidad tour back in April with em. 🤙

[@thelucianoin]

This Is the lesson I learn from you: if you know how to face danger it doesn't mean you have to go looking for it. Thank you Dan.

[@davidpoots8362]

Thanks, I've had a similar experience and punctured my boat. Watching this I've resolved to update my repair kit.

[@shaneshankly4518]

Great video 👏👏 people putting up video's which show things going wrong helps other's and keeps us grounded

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Nice I’m glad it’s helpful.

[@richardskip]

Wow, though day ! But you handled it well ! Love your honesty very much.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Thank you!

[@truckerrickakamanowar]

Great video. A cool head definitely will keep your chances of surviving something like that exponentially. Really enjoying your channel. I haven't watched much lately but definitely my favorite.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Thanks 👍

[@justindavis1546]

That was scary to watch. Glad you made it out okay.

[@barry4fish19]

Wow, Dan thanks for sharing. It will be nice to get a follow up from you after the repairs are done, and I would be curious if the repair would be any more or less difficult (or different) due to the flax cloth construction.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

According to Melker it repairs just like Fiberglass. They were kind enough to send the repair shop doing the work all the matching materials needed to do the repair.

[@RealGortTheSerf]

That wave looked massive.

[@jakebrakebill]

great lesson that things can happen to anyone

[@PaddleTV]

Wow! Cool adventure to share and learn from! Glad you came out of it with only some skinned knuckles.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Thanks. Not my favorite moment at sea, but one I’ll remember always.

[@sakelleys]

I doubt they will be mad at you, you gave it the ultimate crash test and it kept you alive to get the shore and Patch it, that's one tough kayak

[@pappasally2958]

That video gave me flashbacks, as I suck at surfing a yak. Currently living in Okinawa, Japan (from Alaska) and do a lot of solo sea kayaking for distance, camping and finding sea caves to explore. Mostly on light to moderate seas, but do occasionally go out to play on rough days in either my sea yak or white-water crossover. OK with 3 m swells in deeper water, but choke on surf break over 1.5 m. On one sightseeing day, decided to run the Death Traverse tidal race in my old touring yak, south coast of Hamahiga Jima, back to my put in spot at Shirumichi Beach. Made the same bad judgement call on the large wave set pattern and got caught by a 2 m wave in the narrowest part of the channel (7 m wide if that) where it crosses a large, submerged flat reef. Didn't roll or endo, but spent several nerve wracking seconds laid out on the back deck, back paddling as hard as I could, trying to stay on the upper face of the wave and keep the nose up. The whole time looking down the deck watching the bow skim centimeters above the reef, praying I would not auger in and go face first. I was not wearing my bump helmet that day and would have seriously damaged some body part on the jagged coral reef. That was a day to go home, crack the single malt whiskey, and place an extra shot on the alter to the sea gods for not spanking me harder. Video does though make me think about expanding my repair kit, and throw in float bags when not hauling kit. Much appreciative of you sharing your near miss. Note to self: More roll practice.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Thanks for sharing. If you paddle long enough, trouble will find you. It's good to be prepared.

[@Dfl87165]

I feel for you, been there and can read the shell shock on your face! Glad you’re ok. BTW, nothing beats a roll of Gorilla tape for temporary repairs,at least my 2 c.

[@Dakiraun]

Whoa - glad you were okay! Good idea having that float bag in there. I started carrying Gorilla tape for any potential repairs - stronger and sticks better than duct tape. Glad you weren't out alone in that too.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Never alone at sea. I made the switch to Gorilla tape the moment I got home.

[@stevenkelly-reif2682]

Thanks for sharing a challenging day. I always learn from watching your work. I’ve very limited experience and have a thermoform kayak. Do you think a rotomolded plastic kayak would have survived this impact ?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Yes I’m pretty sure a rotomolded would have survived.

[@TAIWAN_KAYAK]

What a beautiful canoe shop.😍😍 Let me understand whether hiking or canoeing, tape is necessary.

[@onealjones9039]

Hey, that's my home! ❤ T-town.

[@craigmarson6917]

Looks like a place to keep your pet gold fish!!😆

[@robsimer9296]

A man is often limited not by skill, but against his worth to those that love him most.

[@Hammerdak]

When your buddy said your nose was in the rock and you were vertical with barely any tail sticking up , it really tells you how big that wave was. I’m sure your adrenaline was pumping for a while after that!!

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Yes and my confidence was shaky the next time I was on the ocean. Thankfully I had a 3 day training the following week with the pros at Liquid Fusion Kayaks, and they really helped me bounce back and gave me a ton of stuff to work on.

[@pingkuo7355]

Glad you are ok, paddling with that much water in the bow is not easy! Playing a bit of Monday morning quarterback here but I wonder would it be better if you had just rolled and waited for the wave to pass? I know it's a split second decision.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

That wave would have taken me regardless.

[@palicar]

Scary af

[@Levi-xg1fz]

Hey Dan, do you know any good California spots for kayak camping? I’m in the Sacramento area and trying to research it but there’s not a lot of info out there. Rat Farm outside of Redding is the only one I’ve really heard about.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Lake Shasta has Arbuckle Flats which is prime in Spring. Trinity lake. Englebright Lake is close.

[@Levi-xg1fz]

@@HeadwatersKayak appreciate the suggestions!

[@dennisholton9640]

Glad good dan,plastic boats are better in rocks,but u know that…. I like my sterling

[@HeadwatersKayak]

I had a Stratos on the car. 🤪 I just wanted to try the Melker in some ocean conditions. Wasn’t going to play in rocks. Famous last words.

[@BelevichAB]

What would you do now? What did you use for repairs now, after the accident?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Fiberglass and Gelcoat. It was a standard repair.

[@BelevichAB]

@@HeadwatersKayak Thank you. What would you do now to avoid being hit by a wave? Wouldn't you rather not go there?

[@akhrissanov]

how did you film yourself from the front on the water? the camera was not tied to the boat, it was moving relative to the boat and I doubt that it was filmed from another boat with zoom, it would have been hard to keep the camera on your face. As for the rest of things - looks alright. things happen. although plastic WW boat is better to hit rocks with.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Just a GoPro mounted to a ram claw attached to my spare paddle.

[@jdo1014]

Ah, so that's why the other guy was using a plastic boat!

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Haha yes! 🤪

[@gappleton8255]

Gorilla Tape. I never paddle without it.

[@datapro007]

As in the advice given in the movie "The Graduate", "I just want to say one word to you; PLASTICS".

[@bendenisereedy7865]

It didn't break your kayak, it damaged it.

[@steveprinty5674]

I have 2 questions: How is the camera mounted while it’s away from you and aimed back? More important: Are you going to let your wife see this video? 🤔🤦🏻‍♂️

[@HeadwatersKayak]

I have a ram claw that attaches the GoPro to my spare paddle. Not sure if my wife subscribes to my channel. Not going to promote it at home. 😂

[@HipOperation99]

What a dangerous place to kayak, no thanks! lol

[@hankb1604]

Good you know your limitations. Lots of training happens before a wise person would even attempt to paddle in that location and those conditions.

[@ataglance556]

glad y'all made it safely back

[@keanulovestopaddle]

Awesome video. Was nice seeing you put a kayak that nice in hard conditions.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Yes I really wanted to see how it handled. We were just getting our day going. Really wanted to find some good surf spots. That will have to wait for another day.

[@chaliceb5]

The Rödlöga is a 3500 $ boat, right? That must have hurt inside. However, material damage can be fixed...glad you didn't get hurt physically. 👍👍

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Yes. It’s almost out of the shop. Posted some of the repair progress over on my IG