[Paddlewise] Some more comments on the Eco-Challenge

Someone other than Jackie wrote

jackie> > >>they thinking of when they encouraged novice kayakers out in those
jackie> > >>conditions? And with, effectively, no safety back-up. And, was it just
jackie> > >>that I didn't see them, or were there teams out there not wearing PFDs,
jackie> > >>and without even a PFD on deck?

No-one was "encouraged" out.  The organizers went to great pains to
emphasize to everyone who reached the kayak put it exactly what the
conditions were like.  There were two helicopters on full-time standby
for this leg in addition to numerous safety boats.  That's NOT
including the camera transport which of course was available in an
emergency.

Everyone was required to wear an approved PFD at all times on the
ocean.  As Jackie points out these were sometimes not visible because
of a race "jersey" worn over them.

In a break with "normal" rules (which say use of the emergency radio is grounds
for disqualification), every team that put out was INSTRUCTED to have
its radio assembled and ready for use at all times on the kayak leg.

Particularly in the case of teams with less experience, the organizers
encouraged them to wait before putting in, either to give themselves
some rest, to wait until light or to see if the conditions would
dissipate.

And as Jackie points out, the freshest of us were doing this after 6
days of more-or-less non-stop exercise.  Some of the later teams got
to the ocean after 8+ days.

jackie> As far as backup, there seemed to be pretty good coverage including the
jackie> boat that was dispatched to follow alongside the Japanese team that
jackie> appeared to have rarely (if ever) put a paddle in the water and were
jackie> finally pulled from the water (I was really rooting for those guys to 
jackie> finish, but sadly, they did not).  For those who didn't see the documentary, 

This group of Japanese has participated in a number of races all
around the world.  I think what you saw on the tape was more evidence
of their exhaustion than of their skills.  Every racer was amazed by
their efforts and disappointed that they did not manage to finish.
But they appeared to have depleted themselves totally and hence their
forced rescue was a sensible choice.  (If you saw the coverage, you
will have seen the organizers encouraging them to get a solid 12 hours
sleep before beginning the paddling leg).

jackie> Robert Nagle submitted to PaddleWise some very interesting insight into 
jackie> the team dynamics and organization of the event.  Eco-Challenge is fairly 
jackie> new and I think that as it grows and receives more publicity, the level of 
jackie> skill will most likely increase (not to overlook the fact that many of the 
jackie> participants were *very* prepared and skilled for this event).  Maybe 
jackie> many participants didn't anticipate any sea kayaking as there was no
jackie> sea kayaking in the previous Eco-Challenge in BC (however, there was
jackie> "sea" kayaking in the '95 event held in Utah with part of the course 
jackie> on Lake Powell).  I had mentioned earlier on PaddleWise that I wondered 
jackie> how many participants heard sea kayaking and thought "flatwater kayaking."  
jackie> A common perception among many.  Robert Nagle did say that participants 
jackie> were made aware well in advance what might take place and what participants
jackie> could expect, however.  

Anyone who expected flatwater kayaking didn't read the numerous (and
accurate) guidelines sent to all participants.  I don't have them to
hand right now but, if memory serves, we were told to be prepared for
swells of 3 meters and upwards, winds of 25+ knots OR ABOVE and
rapidly changing conditions.  Accurate, eh ?

In Utah, on Lake Powell, we were using Canadian canoes.  A vicious
storm had us, at one point, clinging to the sheer walls of the canyon
by our fingertips in an attempt to achieve some shelter.  Fortunately
it passed quickly.

In the X Games in 1995, teams paddled from Martha's Vineyard to
Newport, RI - a not-trivial crossing in moderately freshening
conditions. Sea kayaking.
In the X Games in 1996, we paddled Canadian canoes along the length of
the Connecticut coastline in worsening conditions (4 foot breaking
wave, 20+ knot winds).
The X Games in 1997, had some harsh paddling (sea kayaks) up the
Pacific coast of Baja, including several surf landings and put-ins.

Most competitors in the Eco-Challenge in Queensland would have seen
this coverage or been aware of conditions by word of mouth, further
heightening their awareness of what was in store for them.

As always, in an adventure race, YOU are expected to come prepared and
make rational decisions.  There is no coddling (this "rule" gets bent
on occasions).  You're told what to prepare for and you're expected to
have the skills AND the judgement necessary.  

The organizer's responsibility is to convey the necessary information
to you beforehand - Eco-Challenge goes overboard in this regard.
It's further responsibility is to ensure adequate safety measures are
in place - no-one can match the effort and cost Eco-Challenge expends
on this.  And they go out of their way to inform you of changing
conditions (lest you lack the eyes and common-sense to observe them).

The racers' responsibilities include paying attention to what you're
told, doing the necessary research, preparing adequately.  But
everything else pales in comparison to the most important requirement
- exercising sensible judgement.  Sleep when you should.  Stop when
you should.  Don't put in when you shouldn't.  Avoid unnecessary or
avoidable hazards etc. etc.  True, this is hard when depleted and
sleep-deprived BUT IT IS THE ESSENCE OF OUR SPORT.

RN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert J. Nagle					 http://yuri.harvard.edu/~nagle


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