Re: [Paddlewise] Tides & Currents

Hi Clyde,

If I recall correctly, most of the accidents involving currents in Deep
Trouble were problems specificly associated with crossing eddylines. The
eddyline caused a flip, thus leaving the paddler at the mercy of the
currents. In the two stories I am thinking of, the paddlers were unable to
self-rescue the boats because of swamping and lack of adequate flotation,
but if those paddlers could have self-rescued, it would have been possible
for them paddle back to shore fairly easily. In the San Juans at least,
the currents usually are not faster than fast paddling speed except for
localized areas near shore where the current speeds up (e.g. eddylines and
tide rips). These local areas are fairly easy to paddle around, given a
rudimentary knowledge of currents and eddylines. Sometimes though, it is
impossible to avoid being swept into an eddyline, which is why I
evangelize a little bit of whitewater experience even for those who never
plan to take up whitewater as a sport. It doesn't take much practice on
the river to be able to handle eddylines with ease.

Cheers,
Kevin
Kayak Academy Whitewater Instructor
http://www.halcyon.com/kayak



On Tue, 26 Jan 1999, Sisler, Clyde wrote:

> I was struck by the number of times tidal currents played a role in the
> accidents in the book Deep Trouble.  The term 'swept out to sea' stirs up
> some pretty scary images but how bad can it really be?  Given that a person
> can stay in the boat, how far out can they be swept?  A mile, two miles?
> Even at full ebb, the tidal (not ocean) current has to dissipate somewhere.
> 
> Granted one might well spend some uncomfortable hours and then have to
> paddle back, but still......
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