Posted by Wayne on August 09, 2002 at 07:50:00:
In Reply to: This maybe a silly question? posted by Eric S on August 08, 2002 at 22:06:01:
A lot depends of the size of the waves and the timing of the wave sets. You have to spend seveal minutes (>5) watching the surf to get a feel for your entry timing. Then you can almost always find a lull to enter through.
It is faster to just walk out instead of crawl. If all goes well you can make it through the area of the break while there are no waves. If you do get nailed, and it is a big one, simply let the wave pass over you by dropping (laying) on the bottom. Once on the bottom with a bit of water on top of you, kick and claw and you will be out of the washing machine in seconds. Then pop back up for a surface swim or consider your dive started.
If you get whacked on an entry, there is no reason to try to stand back up. Just crawl/swim/claw the sand until you finish the entry. Same on the way back in. If you get whaacked as you are walking the last bit of your exit, do not worry about standing back up, just keep moving up the sand until you are out of the water. Then stand up.
Oh yea, before a surf exit, you need to hang out at the surface outside the break zone and watch the waves for a while. Look for where they break the least. Count waves in the sets, and plan your exit so you do not get hit.
But if you get smacked down, your reg is in and you mask is on and if you hussle, you will be standing on dry ground in a minute or so.
Wayne