Re: [Paddlewise] How far off shore?

Bob,

  You're right, I don't have any real knowledge of paddling on the
"left" coast.  I paddle most of the time around Washington, D.C.  And I
agree paddling farther out may be safer if these "boomers" are so
dangerous.

   BTW - what exactly is a boomer?  Is it some kind of gigantic tidal
wave that is actually life threatening?  And how prevalent are they? I
recognize your post, but I still say that unless one is an excellent
long distance swimmer, he/she is still taking their life in their hands
when they routinely swim 2 miles off ANY coast.   

   I just recalled that I did paddle off the west coast one one
occasion.  I was near "Cannary Row" where the seals hang out.  I was
very close to the shoreline and didn't recall the water behaving any
differently than the Atlantic (but admittedly that was just one day).

  So in summary I agree that Alaska may have a different type of coast
with different dangers.  But one still shouldn't discount the danger of
paddling far off shore alone on a regular basis.

  - Scott
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************