I have never even been in a situation that I had to consider what I would do with a spinpole in excessive surf. I have not sailed a cat out in conditions like that since I sailed a Hobie 16. I do not think I would try. I just had my spinpole break while coming into the dock when a new crew decided to use it for a "stay out of the water free card"...did not work. They are fragile on the pull down as they are only supported to take load from spinnaker tack.

Dan