Re: [Paddlewise] When in Rome do as the

Dave Williams wrote:
> 
> Ralph Diaz wrote:
> 
> >...I was first in the group and paddled up to the low bridge and could see
> that the water was running through and under it too high for clearance and I
> paddled back a hundred feet or so to tell the others...
> >Again, I want to repeat that this was a calm day, calm water, September air
> and water temperatures which are both quite pleasant here.
> >My point is that there is no such thing as completely safe conditions on
> the water.  Your situation and conditions can change in the blink of an eye.
> 
> What a horror story Ralph! I'm glad you were strong enough to pull yourself
> and the boat all the way out of that situation.  However, I would hardly
> think to call those "conditions" completely safe in the first place.  Any
> time you've got a strong current (you said the water was "rushing under the
> bridge"), you've got potential trouble.  Whether it be the threat of being
> separated from your kayak if you happen to flip and swim or, as in your
> case, there are obstacles.  A PFD is essential in those conditions!

My point is that you never know when you suddenly will find yourself in
different conditions.  I certainly did not start off the day in Brooklyn
contemplating that I would be in spot with quick rushing water going
under a strainer (although any pier has the potential of being a
strainer).  Conditions were calm and pleasant until that point.  The
waters were glassy smooth, hardly any boat traffic on the East River
which was surprising.  Ideal, calm conditions until we turned the corner
to enter that estuary which represented a potential and real danger at a
certain point in the tidal cycle.

ralph diaz

  
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Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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