Surfing my Oasis

I'm seriously considering heading out for a wave riding session with Blew Maru (2013 Oasis) this summer. I have a solid surfing foundation and have spent mucho solo hours mastering Blew's handling characteristics, so I feel we are ready.

My plan is to go out at Shipwreaks in Baja, Mexico. It's a point break with a long right similar to Rincon (slow and crumbling). The crowd is minimal, so the attitude is relaxed and sailing into a wave is (basically) a guarantee.

Good advice from Mirage Drive Surfers would be greatly appreciated.




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Longbikermike
Valle Vista, CA

Use a paddle. Drives ventilate as you try to pump into a wave. The rudders are not designed for heavy side loads. You need a paddle to brace against.

That said... It can work on a soft forgiving wave using drives and the rudder. I surfed a sport that way until I bent the rudder (older style). You really do need a paddle though to lean and brace into the wave.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Thanks. The wave I plan to attack is a very slow wave with a crumbling face that isn't very steep. Not trying to get covered up. Just want be able to shoot the long line at Shipwrecks.


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Longbikermike
Valle Vista, CA

oooh, take video!
Of the 4 Hobies I have owned (sport/revo11/revo13/outback) they all suck at navigating when a big wave hits you from behind (like when you're attempting a beach landing and the surf is breaking on the stern), but the Revo13 sucked the least. Reading Mr Miller's response now explains why (I learned the hard way) the fins are useless in the waves and the rudder is more hindrance than help. Paddle hard, paddle fast, and lean back to keep the nose from submarining.

Thanks. My biggest concern is the shape of the hold. The oasis' hull isn't designed to bite and hold the wave like the rails of surfboard or bodyboard. When I solo sail, I always bungee my forward drive together (act as a daggerboard) and reposition my weight. My sailing buddies have mention the heeling angle I can hold without dumping.

Progression and timing are the key factors. Sail into a small and mushy wave, stay high on the wave, feel the pick up, and pull out. With experience and confidence, I can increase the length of the ride and then drop deeper into the wave.


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Longbikermike
Valle Vista, CA

Just caution about drive fins down in the surf... The fins-down can roll you. You want the hull to slip sideways if you are side on to the waves at all. I would get fins up once riding a wave.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Surfing is a blast on a kayak. A larger boat will be challenging, but in all cases... getting turned sideways down the wave is key. You don't want to surf straight in as that typically ends up badly. The boat will either pearl (nose in) or catch and turn / roll. I would much rather be sliding sideways in the white water under control by leaning into the wave face on the paddle.

This is on my Maui, but you can see the lean aft and over the side towards the wave, bracing on the paddle blade. The blade needs to "surf or plane" on the surface to create support. If the wave breaks I just lean hard into the face and slide.



Just for grins... here is likely my best Wave ever... Lucky a guy was shooting photos that day.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Pretty impressive photos Matt.

Personally I wouldn't attempt waves of that size in either Adventure or Oasis - it may be a bit different in a shorter kayak without a great big hole in the middle and a load of fishing gear on board, but my experience is that if I let a wave surf me in, more often than not it will quickly turn to custard.

My technique is to keep the boat perpendicular to the waves and slow it right down so that the waves pass underneath (or over) the boat and I paddle in between crests... I am clearly not as cool as you (assuming that that really is you and not just a clever photshop job or a highly-paid stunt double...??!!?!)