RE: [Paddlewise] When in Rome do as the

|Does anyone on this list have any horror stories about paddling in truly
|calm conditions, in warm water, with no current?  I'm not trying to be a
|wise guy here, I really would like to hear them.

I posted a trip report earlier in the year about a short three mile trip I took
in Florida on December 26th of 1998.  To make a long story short, it I was in
protected water in the Stuart/PalmCity area, light winds and 70-80 degree
air/water temps.  There was a front that had been hanging out for days to the
north.  The weather channel said it was staying where it was.  I decided to go
paddling and within 1.5 miles of the ramp I noticed that the front was moving
in.  FAST.  Very FAST.  I had found a sheltered area that would have been
protected, sorta from the wind and the steep waves that were building, but
lightning was my main concern.  I decided to try to beat the storm back to the
put in.  After all I'm only 1.5 miles away.  The problem was that the wind
direction, waves, boat traffic forced me into shallow water that increased the
steepness and hight of the waves.  And of course there were nice sea walls to
increase the wave action and put me into a washing machine. Lots of bracing.
Stroke, brace, brace, brace, stroke, etc. While I was in this washing machine
with 30+ winds blowing to make things more fun I had to get under concrete
bridge pilings from the new Palm City/Stuart bridge followed by a trip under the
old bridges pilings and road bad.  Not fun since people fish off the old bridge
and I did not want to get knocked over in very shallow water filled with hooks,
junk, construction debris, etc.

I made it with a nice deep scratch on the bow from a bridge pilling.

This all happened in 45 minutes or less.

Even though the weather was fine at the put in.  No real sign the front was
moving.  I had on my spray skirt and PFD.  I'm glad I did.  I had some very
difficult paddling.  The equipment made things easier and gave me an edge if I
did get knocked down.

I made it ok with the exception of the bow scratch.

A dozen or so people out in small power boats where not so lucky.  They had to
be rescued and two people drowned.  The day STARTED calm and pretty.  It ended
the same way.  But for about 30 minutes it was not calm and pretty.

Later...
Dan McCarty



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