Posted by msblucow on August 08, 2002 at 11:59:45:
In Reply to: Beach entry question..... posted by Starfish [now the one and only :)] on August 07, 2002 at 20:51:45:
The only time I've ever gotten 'rolled' by incoming surf was when my rescue class instructor insisted I keep my fins on and shuffle backwards into the surf. Well I couldn't move fast enough to get beyond the breakers, so the first wave that came knocked me down flat. I've found that carefully watching the waves, then timimg my entrance so that I'm able to run past the breakers with my fins in my hands is the most reliable method. Another trick I learned was to go in with my reg in my mouth, then slip my fins over my arms up to my elbows. That way I can use them to paddle the last few feet past the surf zone if I need to. In addition, I always partially fill my bc with air...just enough to keep me from sinking like a stone, but not so much that I can't duck a wave if I'm in chest deep water.
Hope that helps.