Re: [Paddlewise] Info about Desolation sound

From: K. Whilden <kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu>
Date: Sat, 29 May 1999 19:09:05 -0700 (PDT)
On Fri, 28 May 1999, Gerald Foodman wrote:

> Kevin wrote:
> >The ride downstream through the main
> >current is like paddling in a big water class III river, and is really no
> >big deal provided you have a GOOD roll. Swimming would still be very
> >hazardous. >
> 
> Why would swimming be so hazardous?  Wouldn't you eventually wash out of the
> rapid into flat water where you can self rescue?
. 

Swimming through whirlpools or boils is never safe, but I stated that
swimming through the rapid away from the eddyline is also unsafe.  I
suppose the level of hazard really depends on the rip, but at Skookumchuk
the main rip is like a big flood stage river. There are boiling surging
waves and very peculiar currents that could easily separte the swimmer
from the boat, even without encountering an eddyline.  This would result
in a long long swim in cold water. In Tim's case where he would be
paddling solo, I consider getting separated from the boat in a tide rip to
be very hazardous as it might be extremely difficult to recover the
kayak.

> 
> >Sea kayaks are really the safest possible craft for exploring
> >the worst places in tidal rapids. >Cheers,
> >Kevin
> 
> Wouldn't an inner tube be safer?
> 

Only if the inner tuber has quaffed at least one six-pack of beer. This
way, the inner tuber might fall down and get hurt before getting into the
water. Otherwise, sea kayaks are MUCH safer :)


> Jerry
> 
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Received on Sat May 29 1999 - 19:09:24 PDT

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