Nope, never sailed in a Worrell. But after watching the Worrell for the last 20 odd years or so land and depart a few hundred yards from my place, I can say more than a handful of Worrell sailors are less than stellar in both coming in and leaving the surf, no matter what the conditions. Not to take away anything from the Worrell sailors; I have a lot of respect for this race and those in it. But if looking for excellence in handling a cat in the surf, not all Worrell sailors appear to be knowledgeable (I will admit that the Worrell stopped using anything approaching "beach cats" years ago, however). Of course, living in Maui would bring you into some serious swells and air.

But I still think a paddle would have done virtually NIL at Jensen besides perhaps getting your hulls pointed in the right direction, and the paddle does a poor job here as well. And more often than not, screwing with a paddle is not needed and is a hindrance. I wouldn't be taking off from the beach in dead air when a paddle is needed and if there is enough wind, you can get through most surf conditions (besides boat threatening - ie Jensen).

Besides, I dont think this hobie WAVE sailor is talking about the Worrell either. Again, your participation in the Worrell is noted. On the other hand, I stand on my point that a paddle is not needed 99.999% of the time. I've sailed a cat off the beach and through the inlets since the 70s and it's a RARE day anything approaching a paddle is required. Then again, I dont bring a VHF onboard and have my life jacket tied to the dolphin striker so you can take anything I say with a grain of salt (dont give me hell about the jacket not on - I know it's a chance and if knocked out, it's over).

kh

ps- Your paddle gets plenty of use in Maui???? When cat sailing??? Knowing the afternoon winds there, I only wonder when you are sailing, at 7am? Joking aside, a paddle is not necessarily taboo as you rightly say, but I think one should be able to cat sail without it. Again, I seem to side a bit over the line of the minimalist approach. But any time you want to trade houses, I'm up for it! heh...

The big irony, ole Pbowie is nowhere to be found to witness all the excitement about his WAVE through the surf dilemma.