SURFSKI SAFETY: Even the smallest details matter BIG TIME - Millers #87

[@alanshunter]

Thanks for the share , it's a great lesson. Often people only show the glory , and I'm guessing there was plenty awesome runs during that downwind. Personally I feel that the mistakes are the more valuable learning tools . Thanks again

[@ForbesRichard]

thanks Alan 👊

[@69Jamii]

A few observations, too many long leashes get tangled up and more likely to wrap around your ski that further complicate untangling and remounts. Less is more, shorten calf leash or use a coil leash, avoid using or have your paddle leash connected with a quick release. Bulky front pouches alway cause issues, best to stow keys/phones and clutter in back pocket to avoid damage and reducing bulk. A few tips, Practice remounts in all conditions, always good to finish a dw and do a warmdown lap with a remount in 'fatgued' state until you are confident and well versed. Soften hands so the last three digits form an Ok grip so to increase reach in placing the blade and only close your hand as you pull, this allows you to relax for improved technique. Finally once on a run let your blade trail on one side in a 'light brace' tripod and balance your leading hand on you knee so to relax posture and to quicken response in beginning next stroke. Practice, repeat, enjoy.

[@ForbesRichard]

Yes, Jamiii, I now use a much shorter leash and have in fact dropped the wrist leash in favour of one connected to my life jacket

[@RusselBreyer]

Some good learning, honesty shared. I learned early on that anything stowed in front pocket of PFD impeded my remount so I got a Vaikobi with a back pocket and keep the front one empty. Makes it harder to get at stuff, but at least I can get back in the boat!

[@ForbesRichard]

Thanks Russel.

[@elieuncle]

Thank you very much for sharing !!! This is such a valuable learning tool. I'm sharing with my paddling friends at once !

[@ForbesRichard]

thanks ! 👊

[@EckieOutdoor]

Never heard of surfski before. As a former windsurfer I'm paddlling now in kayaks and packrafts, but to me, this looks like a new challenge! Sick how fast you go man! Grtz Eckie

[@ForbesRichard]

For a better perspective on speed, I suggest you view this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKSZnZaNe76XaLM The good guys will regularly hit the high 20s on steep runs with Jasper Mocke (Millers Run Record Holder) having once clocked 36kph on a big ocean swell

[@EckieOutdoor]

@@ForbesRichard Thanks for the link.

[@chrishitchings8712]

I've been a kayaker and have switched to a surfski, just starting out but it's awesome! I wont go back to a regular kayak!

[@ForbesRichard]

@@chrishitchings8712 Enjoy your surf-skiing Chris ! and keep safe.

[@jpetzold]

First think, than act! Top👍

[@pokeypickle3]

It’s hard to think straight when you’re tired, plus feeling all sorts of emotions after falling off. I try to ‘write off’ that experience and ‘start again’ by trying to remount as calmly as possible.

[@ForbesRichard]

Agreed ! Thanks

[@john-wq8kf]

On my palm surf ski I used the lap strap to hold me in so I always rolled my ski. I never bailed out especially surfing on my own as that would be a crass thing while on your own in heavy surf.

[@ForbesRichard]

am envious of you John !

[@banulscatamarans5337]

I noticed you have the old Mocke PFD. Try the new one, the Flow without Zip. It is much thinner and makes remount much easier. I speak form experience. About your wrist leash experience a few months back. I modified my wrist leash and added a fast clip so that I can easily unhook if necessary. That prevents entanglement between leg leash and wrist leash after a wipe out. Being able to quickly disconnect the wrist leash also means you can remount both sides.

[@ForbesRichard]

thanks for the two tips - both good ideas ! I might in fact go back to the wrist leash (esp for the surf) so will review thank you.

[@EvertAlbers]

Talking about risk, there is also that rock at 3:04 😬...

[@ForbesRichard]

Actually that was a bunch of kelp. We are lucky that the approach into the beach is clear of rocks thankfully.

[@rogeru73]

I would not be able to any self rescue with these kayaks 😅 Cool video!

[@ForbesRichard]

Thanks Roger ! Looks like you don't need to remount as you simply roll-over and back up again ! (Wish I could to that. There are a few surf skiers who can do it, and i have seen some modified cockpits with belts etc but it is very rare)

[@rogeru73]

@@ForbesRichard Thanks, I have tried a surf ski and it did not go so well with me 🙂 I guess its way easier to roll with ordinary sea kayaks. Hope you get lots of good times on the water 🙂

[@ForbesRichard]

and for you too !

[@benmlee]

They say never let go of the ski when falling. Leash is there only as a back-up. Old timers say early surfskis don't even have a leash. They have to hold on to it when falling.

[@ForbesRichard]

Yep, that would be ideal for sure. However I do trust my leash 100% and know that it will not and can not fail. (It is home made and is now attached to my ski at 2 different anchor points)

[@Alastair510]

Only just missed a rock on the surf into the beach! That could have been expensive.

[@ForbesRichard]

there are no rocks in that vicinity but there was a clump of kelp so perhaps you mistook that for the rock ?

[@Alastair510]

@@ForbesRichard sounds likely. It was a big lump of something brown (around here, those are rocks, usually covered in kelp)

[@adamfrbs9259]

Thats ironic, same last name, both paddlers haha. I like being in the kayak though...S18r Stellar Alpha.

[@ForbesRichard]

hi Adam, we probably share the same Scottish lineage way back 👊

[@adamfrbs9259]

@ForbesRichard all the way back to 1200ad and the Castle of the same name that's still there today. Aberdeenshire.

[@ForbesRichard]

@@adamfrbs9259 Thanks. Gonna have to visit that soon !

[@adamfrbs9259]

@ForbesRichard no prob. Last I checked awhile back it was $200 a night....even if you were a Forbes.

[@dcsyd16]

Not sure if anyone showed you, when u r on a run rest you blade on the water to give your core a break. Have a look at oscars method first remounts, you will notice he takes a paddle on the side his legs dangle before he swings his legs into the boat. U got luck the conditions smoothed out, had the remained rough you would have struggled remounting the way u did. Can only say this as I also learnt the hard way to get lots of remounting practice

[@ForbesRichard]

Yep, now that it is warmer I am going to practice those remounts to the point of smooth-butteriness.

[@alessioraggioli]

Survival skills

[@ForbesRichard]

Alive and well and still paddling 👊

[@troyandrew74]

No criticism. Why don’t you get a more stable ski ? Why do you want to persist with the Swordy?

[@ForbesRichard]

Fair question. I have a lifetime goal of doing a 45 minute Millers run. I am at least 6 minutes off that at the moment and so need all the help I can get in the speed department. My persistence is beginning to pay off as I am feeling considerably more stable in it now. However I do still use my XTS for when the conditions are wild or the wind is super strong.

[@SmoothBaracuda]

I've only seen two of your videos and both of them include you having trouble remounting due to gear. Sort your kit out man, sheesh

[@ForbesRichard]

You are a tough taskmaster ! But you are right, as i am a slow learner. Check out my latest trouble where kit failure is not a feature: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qITFiqp_gJlpfK8

[@MartinMartin-yi9to]

Surfskis need mini hatch.

[@ForbesRichard]

that is a bloody good idea Martin

[@MartinMartin-yi9to]

@@ForbesRichard I'm a freaking genius 🤣😂

[@Shieldrik496]

No offense but maybe 2 years paddling is not enough experience to paddle out solo with a swordfish ??? You' d be more safe on a Epic V8 pro or a any other stable boat. No matter what they say swordfish isn't an intermediate boat .

[@ForbesRichard]

No offense taken ! Yep, you are correct. Esp since the ability to develop balance for an older person (I am 62) is severely constrained. I have since got much better but I have changed my big conditions ski to a more stable one (from XTS to Boost LV). I will restrict my Swordy outings to max of 25kts

[@tomallen6073]

No thanks. Needed fitness 10/10.