Re: [Paddlewise] How far off shore?

No offense to the good reverend,  but as a former ocean lifeguard, I
would not advise a person to kayak two miles offshore alone.  

  I love kayaking in the ocean, and of course I have alot of experience
swimming out there as well.  It is real easy to be blown further out in
the ocean in windy conditions - or if a stiff current kicks up.  I agree
with another poster who said "you don't paddle farther than you are
prepared to swim."

  I wish I had a dollar for every clueless tourist I had to wake up out
in the ocean.  These clowns would fall asleep on a raft in the ocean
like they were in a pool!  I always wonder what their expression would
be like if I actually let them wake up five miles out at sea!

  The point is that you must have GREAT RESPECT for the ocean - it can
easily kill you.  If something goes wrong two miles out at sea, you have
a real problem on your hands if you are not an excellent long distance
swimmer.  I've swam a mile straight out in the ocean (with two other
lifguards - one carrying a buoy "just in case").  Let me tell you , it
is an unnerving feeling.  You really feel isolated, and you start to
wonder about the "things" living in the ocean beneath you!  If you add
in poor weather conditions or stiff winds/currents, you can easily get
into trouble.

  Pardon my "preaching", but I really think we need to stress safety on
this site.  

  - Scott Ives

     
  Rev. Bob Carter wrote:
> 
> In response to how far off shore to paddle. The key is to not only stay outside the surf but also outside of the boomers. Boomers are big breaking waves caused by extra big swells hitting a submerged rock. They can suddenly occur well beyond the surf line and can catch a paddler by surprise. Here in Southeast Alaska this means sometimes paddling as much as two miles off shore....
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************