Details are sketchy, but I'll let you know what has surfaced. On March 9th, 2000, our local TV station ran a quick story on its supper-time edition. Basically, a man between the age of 45 and 55 was off the Oak Bay waterfront, being brought in by boat, after spending some time on a rock a mile or so offshore. He refused an interview, and the camera only showed the back of him. He had longish hair. This information was given to me today by a co-worker, who only just remembered I don't have cablevision, meaning I don't get the news. I followed up with Search and Rescue, who indicated to me the said kayaker got into trouble shortly after 8:00 am that morning, and had contacted the Canadian Coast Guard via his cell phone. A number of vessels were tasked in the area, including a helicopter, however, either the Auxiliary CG Zodiac (the one that picked me up off Trial Island a couple of years ago) or a private vessel got to the distressed paddler in time to have the other vessels/aircraft stand-down. The paddler was treated at the scene by first aid personnel for mild hypothermia and minor bruising from what apparently was a rough time on the rocks. Conditions were breezy with an average tide running. No one knows if he was returning from Chatham Island or if he was just out for an early morning paddle from the watefront. The area is well known as a hazard to small craft, with backeddies that produce net ebbs and can cause apparent miscalculations when it comes to timing crossings. The chart for the area has numerous "rip" symbols all around the area. As the individual kayaker wishes to remain anonymous, I will not pursue the story anymore. Perhaps someone from Paddlewise that lives in the area has some further details or more precise details, as I had to "pull teeth" to get any info from my sources. We had a similar incident just like this one a few years ago. I'll dig up the details and post that one for comparison, as there may be a bit of interest on the list according to my earlier indication for support from some of you. The Bottom Line? Don't paddle solo if you can't prevent a capsize or effectively reenter your vessel for the chosen conditions or conditions forecasted. Do carry communication equipment so that if you fail to follow the above advice, you can summon outside assistance in a manner that allows a degree of efficient, directive communication. Cold water is cold water. The paddler wasn't out there too long, yet was getting cold very quickly, sitting on the rocks. Dress for cold immersion and exposure - its still winter here, anyway. Learn some moving-water skills if that is the environment you are going to go paddling in, or if there is a possibility of encountering such conditions. Crossing eddylines is a given for the area where this incident occured. Expect close-shore backeddies around small islands, which can be used to advantage at times, but offshore rips will demand vigilence and a strong paddle stroke to overcome if slack-tide is misscalculated. Expect sudden breaking waves in an area where the chart shows numerous submerged rocks/reefs - usually designated by a little "s" (which also dot the area in qustion). Learn to reenter your kayak from a variety of positions/places. Canoes are sooooo easy to get into off just about anything reasonably solid. Kayaks take a little more work and practice, especially with a little wave action. PS This is just a "fast-post", not meant to be too detailed. This is just e-mail, okay? BC'in Ya Doug Lloyd *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: Doug Lloyd <dlloyd_at_telus.net> : Monday, March 13, 2000 10:38 PM snip > The Bottom Line? snip > Learn some moving-water skills if that is the environment you are going to > go paddling in, or if there is a possibility of encountering such > conditions. Crossing eddylines is a given for the area where this incident > occured. Expect close-shore backeddies around small islands, which can be > used to advantage at times, but offshore rips will demand vigilence and a > strong paddle stroke to overcome if slack-tide is misscalculated. Expect > sudden breaking waves in an area where the chart shows numerous submerged > rocks/reefs - usually designated by a little "s" (which also dot the area > in qustion). > Hi Doug , etal As a landlocked newbie I am interested in learning about the diferent currents ,rips and eddies you talk about. One option here is to take some ww classes. But I would like to suppliment that with some reading could you suggest a few books that would give this landlubber some help. Also any other suggestions as to how or where to gain this knowledge. Thanks and keep the reports coming. Mark waiting inpatiently to launch his new Arctic Tern *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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