David Jones wrote:

What do you all think? Is he mad to try it? Could he just be really
careful and if it does not work, then so be it? I really do not know,
but I would imagine the risks are -

The waves catching it too strongly, and not being able to get 'out back'.
The wind catching it too strongly, and being blown out to sea.
The waves breaking over it, and swamping it.

With 3 foot waves and little experience he'll very, very probably get
trashed at some point, whatever he's in. but especially in an inflatable
open. But that's only likely to be a major safety problem if there's a
rip to stop him swimming in, without the boat if need be. Let's face
it, you'd need God to be really against you that day to get trapped
inside!
Stones issues are there, but then they're there if you're in a playboat
and quite possibly bigger, since you aren't going to be upside down
trying to roll in an inflatable canoe!

Most likely result, I'd guess, is not much surfing but quite a lot of
wet, dumb fun. If there's any sort of wind blowing out to sea it would
be quite possible he'd come home without it...

Rescuing him needs considering, but OTOH you should consider having to
rescue *anyone* in the party if need be. IME surfing isn't a matter of
*if* you go over so much as "when", and though the waves often help you
roll up after knocking you in, you need to be prepared for anyone going
for a swim, not just from the inflatable. Someone on shore as lookout
with a throwline can be a Cunning Plan, it can be quite hard keeping
track of everyone in surf (and if your pal doesn't get too far with his
canoe, he gets to do this for longer than everyone else!).

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/