Equipment wise it just wasn’t my day. From the get go my eVolve motor acted funny and kept giving me “error 30” message which when I got home meant I probably need a new fuse in the battery. So I had to paddle my “aircraft carrier” Pro Anger in from about 1 mile offshore. Not too bad, even when half of the way I forgot to take the motor out…………..whew, sure paddle easier with it out. Thankfully the wind had laid and the water was smooth.
However, the swells were building.
As I neared the beach, I notice that there were sets of swells that looked challenging. However, there were also ample periods of complete calm between the sets. I kept paddling and thought I had it made as I seemed to be in one of those calm periods.
Then all of a sudden a swell picked me up and before I could do anything over I went. Naturally since I haven't turtle in a long time, I had nothing tied down but not to worry, everything I own has a float on it.
I was surprised to find I was in butt deep water and as I came up on my feet, I pushed my glasses back up on my nose and tried to flip my kayak back over………….and was hit by another swell that drove me and the yak back down. This time I think I lost the glasses ………….....well after it was all over I couldn’t find them. Thankfully, they were my fishing/work glasses ………the old pair with scratches on the lens.
I got the yak righted and all my rods and gear were not broken but saltwater and sand in all. I had quite a surf garage sale in progress. As I tried to get the yak to the beach, I found my anchor had fallen out and was holding me from going on. It must have been caught on a bar because it took breaking the zip tie to get it loose. I finally got the yak and myself to the beach. I had my frogg togg jacket on and had so much water in my sleeves, I could barely raise my arms. The elastic cuffs were holding the water in, I am sure my forearms looked like Popeye’s. I had to pull my hand back through the cuffs to get the water to drain.
I was exhausted. The paddler behind me came in ok but told me a big rouge swell had hit me……………..don’t if that is true or he was just trying to make me feel better.................there is always a certain amount of embarrassment and humility that accompanies a monster turtle.
I spend a whole day cleaning and drying my stuff out. I now know a Pro Angler (38" wide) can be flipped just like any other kayak.
Damn, I freaking turtled!!!
(My thanks to Longshotjames and btbrich for the use of their photos)
