For intermediate paddlers, the general idea for a controlled surf landing is to spend as little time as possible on the waves.  Remember what you've already tried in Exercise #1 with the waves behind you: A quick back-paddle as the wave arrives lets it slip by faster so you spend less time under its control.

• Unhook your spray-skirt before you head in
• Approach the shore at a 90-degree angle to the waves, not the beach
• On your way in, slow the boat on the waves to let them go by …and paddle strongly in the flat water between the waves to make progress towards the beach.

On our tours, we station guides on the beach to signal paddlers when to slow down for waves to pass and when to speed towards the beach in the flat water.  This gives paddlers less to think about and you can do the same by letting an experienced paddler land first and direct the others.

 When you hit the beach, don't make your usual graceful exit from the boat.  Instead roll yourself and the boat over on your side and scramble out as fast as you can – before the next wave can come in and push you and your boat around.  Important safety tip: be sure to come out on the seaward side – not the beach side – of the kayak.  The next wave will push the kayak further onto the beach, and you don’t want to be in front of it! 

The etiquette of surf landings is that the paddler already on the beach looks after your boat.  He pulls it up the beach while you find your feet.  Then it's your turn to help the next paddler who comes ashore.

The basic idea is to be buttoned up in your boat, on the beach, and take advantage of a receding wave to float you out.  Then paddle like hell. 

Position your boat as close to the water as you can without it being knocked around by incoming waves. Get in, close your spray-skirt and be ready to paddle and make sure you're aimed straight into waves. Have someone push your boat closer to the water so the waves come up around you. Wait for a wave that comes up far enough to almost float the boat and have your pal shove you out. Then paddle straight into the waves as fast as you can. Punch out through the waves until you’re beyond the breakers. Launching in surf is more about enthusiasm than skill and it's a lot of fun.