It is exactly one year since the Storm Island rescue - April 10th, 1999. I can't sleep tonight. I decided to send this report to the list. Delete now if not interested - it is 7,000 words or so. It is very rough. Matt Broze has the version from all three paddler's perspectives, but SK is "sitting" on his article. Pls, no flames - I just want to share my version, in its entirety (with the "daily" stuff taken out to decrease length). Thanks for understanding! Bella Bella to Port Hardy (Intended Destination) April 1999 "The Fools of April" Trip was proposed late 1998 Planning and preparations were commenced three months prior to trip. Included was availing ourselves to, and collecting data from local libraries, etc, for sailing directions, prevailing wind directions, outposts of civilization, nautical cautions, and anything deemed useful. We then shared the info and marked significant information on our charts. We proposed an itinerary based on the most likely route for success, which was subsequently filed with the Coast Guard and our spouses. I knew Dave from years with the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club, and the Ocean Kayaking Association of BC. I did not know much about Andrew, but friends told me he was a very powerful paddler, and that many individuals would feel embarrassed to paddle with him. He has close to 17,000.00 miles on his kayak, over the last 10 years. Andrew loved to spend a lot of his time around Oak Bay, in high winds and fast tides WHILE taking pictures for yacht racers. Dave, Andrew and I did a preliminary paddle a month prior to the trip at the tail end of a big storm, doing research work for SK Magazine for an article on paddle floats. (The same storm/gale caused a man and wife to get into trouble in the San Juan's, and was subsequently written up in SK Magazine by the couple, with commentary by Eric Soares) I made observations of my intended paddling partners. Andrew uses a large vinyl covered float - ugly, but effective he told us. Dave uses a simple reentry and roll. I have two inflatable paddle floats, including a back-up Sea Seat, and reentry and roll techniques. Both Dave and Andrew are versed with assisted reentries, and both carry handheld pumps. I have a foot pump. Dave and I have good solid rolls, while Andrew relies on his boats superb stability and his float rescue. Dave is a top level 5 BCU paddler. He has open coast experience. He runs a kayak tour, rental,lessons company out of Sooke from April through Sept. He has run numerous courses through the Canoe Club. I was warned that paddling with Dave on multiday excursions would be a challenge due to his personality which often focuses on HIS agenda. I knew this already, but I get along fine with Dave, and he has always been friendly, kind, and patient with me. Dave knew full well of my position in the kayaking fraternity as one crazy hombre went it came to paddling in the "raw elements". My only concern prior to the trip with his seamanship skills stemmed from a paddle a year ago, where were trying to find Mike Pardy from ORS out in the Discovery Islands. Dave thought he saw him off in the distance, but it was only a kelp head off his bow, so I was a bit worried about his depth perception, but knew I've done the same thing years ago. My experience included 20 years of open water paddling, mostly solo, various courses, BCU stuff, Power Squadron, and year round paddling in all conditions, all weather. We may well have been an odd mix, to be sure, meeting once a week to plan the trip - all with differing expectations as to where we were going and what we would find. My family physician has paddled with both Dave and Andrew off Tofino on the exposed coast. My GP said both guys were good strong paddlers with good judgement displayed, but that Dave exhibited poor choice in picking out a campsite at the base of a large mountain that surely would cause a deluge when moist pacific air was due soon. He told me prior to the trip that Dave, as knowledgeable as he is, lacked common sense at times and that I needed to be very careful out there with him. As I suffer the same problem from time to time, I could only hope Dave and I didn't both have a brain fart on the same day during our upcoming trip. I discounted the comment of my physician, figuring Dave and I had both progressed in our abilities from any arbitrary date in the past. But the point remains; one does need to do a little detective work if anticipating a trip into harsh conditions where unknown variables would surely exist. Last year, spring was beautiful and warm on the BC coast, but 1999 had been the worst in decades for wind, snow, and storms. Most of the mountains on Vancouver Island and along the mainland coast had such high snowlevels, that not even the tips of trees could be seen anymore. I wanted to do an off season paddle, on an extended trip, in rougher conditions, and this sounded like the year to do it. A whole year of off-season storm paddling had left me primed. Due to these factors with the weather, and due to the above potential problems with the mix of paddlers and unknowns of not ever having done any real trips with the guys before, both Andrew and I took an extra week off work, just so we wouldn't have to do any dangerous crossings or push hard when we didn't need to, just to get back to work. Dave's time was also flexible. It is unfortunate we failed to utilize that available time! As we discussed gear prior to the trip, I had understood that the other two realized it was a harsh, cold environment we were headed to. The day before I left for Port Hardy, I sat on the steps of my home with my wife, totally dejected. She asked me what was wrong. I confessed to her I had spent close to $1,800.00. Much of it went to boat repairs after splitting my seams while surfing into log infested storm surge. My mother-in-law had faithfully kept my workshop wood-fired stove going to effect faster drying times with the epoxy repairs and epoxy sprayed paint job. I told her that my wife had no clue as to the real dangers of the proposed trip, and thanked her for dutifully drying out my boat - nice son-in law! While I didn't tell my wife that part, I did tell her I had also spent part of the $1800.00 on new cold-weather gear for the trip - and that I did not have enough money for the ferry and hotel accommodation in Port Hardy. My Visa was to the max. I also told her I was having reservations about Andrew, as I just didn't think his wide boat would keep up with ours, as the wind was just terrible on the Central Coast every time I had checked the internet. She demanded that I not go on the trip, and said I was a fool to go and leave her and my two little girls in the lurch. I said that she was right and let Dave know. Dave was upset - said he would cover my costs for a few months, and that they were depending on me to come along, as Dave had originally wanted four people. I talked it over with my wife again, and said I had to go, it was unfair and unsafe to leave the two guys in the lurch. She said that would then be their choice to go. I knew Andrew was counting on me to go, so I decided to go, against my better judgement and my wife's(wives are always right!). When we arrived in Port Hardy, it was snowing and hailing horizontally. Hmmmm. When it cleared, a vicious wind continued into the next day of the ferry departure. We discussed a decision tree for making group decisions, but it sounded too sissified to us, so we figured we would make it up as we went. Hmmm. I remember the ferry ride from Port Hardy. We left into high seas. While resting after barfing a few times, a man and his wife asked me if I was one of the kayakers seen loading. They were very worried about us going on our trip, and feared they would be reading about us in the paper next week (they were right, we did end up on the front page). I said I did not fear the weather or the ocean, but I was very unsure about the group dynamics. This included the implications for problems with communication, the fact that each of us was so independent, and Andrew's lack of open water gear and style (no surf helmet, old equipment, slow boat, massive deck load, etc). Andrew had brought a home made cart for use on the ferry ramp, which kept falling apart down the ramp. He used electrical wire for cotter pins after much to do, to finish the last 50 feet. I had also looked Dave's boat over. It had been regelcoated, but did not look like anything had been prepped much in terms of deep gouges or needed repairs. Cables and fittings looked old and rusty, especially on Andrew's kayak, though Dave had just put in the new Seaward butterfly pedals, giving him constant bracing ability as had my Nordkapp also be similarly upgraded. Andrew said he couldn't brace or counter lean much, as his boat simply is rock solid out there (and it was!). Both Dave and I can paddle without rudders. Both men appeared in good shape, though Andrew looked a bit overweight. I was in great shape. I had spent the whole winter storm season (and it was the best in twenty years) paddling in high winds doing a lot of "squall laps". This is where you paddle a mile or two out to sea on a safe lee shore until another squall or micro-burst hits, then turn and run with it, then turn back out to sea when it simmers down again. I also did a fair bit of paddling into the wind, often very high winds for endless hours, cresting over waves getting resistance training for hours upon endless hours. One storm was too much and threw me into the shore where large logs split the seams on the Nordkapp. I sprained my neck badly (I only saved myself by flattening my face to the deck and "hugging" the kayak, letting my thick PFD with rear pouch absorb shock to my spine). This was a month prior to my trip. I had to desperately rebuild my boat. I spent countless hours and got little sleep, pouring well over $500.00 of epoxy, paint and materials into the boat. I replaced much of the inner seams with 1", 2", 3" and 4" tape, cutting around the inside of the recessed deck fittings for a better distribution of tape than the factory joint. I put two layers of 1" seam tape on the outside as well. I put in a third bulkhead for redundant bouancy. I also put in an inner wooden keel and outer high molecular weight outer plastic keel, all bolted through the hull. The plastic strip is replaceable and fit in a channel groove, giving the hull a new "V" shape for better tracking and protection of the strip to side-surf impacts. I had complete confidence in the boat and myself for the trip, and my only worry was about the other guys and the cold temperatures of the Central Coast. I told a co-worker just before my last workday that if something terrible happened on the trip, it would be due to an unknown variable, as I intended to be safe and prudent. She scolded me for being so melodramatic. I assured her I was not being dramatic - I was deadly serious. During the actual trip a few problems became apparent. Andrew's hand cramped up the first day out. The first night had been freezing. Cold wind funneled off from the glaciers. All fresh water was frozen solid. Minus 5 centigrade is not too bad in the mountains, but on the damp coast, it chills one to the core. Hands freeze performing simple tasks. Cold, limp fingers made it difficult to place gloves back on. Just getting out of the kayaks for a rest break induced mild hypothermia. There were days when we built huge fires to keep from freezing in our wet gear. There were days when we built snowmen on the decks of our boats. Blinding sleet attacked us in camp and on the water. Mountainous seas assaulted us at major headlands. Even with all our clothing on, in our sleeping bags, we still tossed and turned some nights. Paddling problems were evident right off the mark. Dave did not want to slow down much for Andrew. Andrew had brought a summer sleeping bag, non-mummy style, in which he was especially very cold at night. He did not seem to acclimatize as easily as Dave and I. At the end of a few paddles, we had to physically help Andrew out of his boat due to stiffness, etc. About half way into the trip, Andrew confided in me that he was not too happy with the way Dave and I were always out ahead; he could not keep up, especially on days when we would forge ahead in gale or near gale conditions. He needed a break for a few minutes every hour or half-hour to regain his strength. Yet, if he stopped for even a second, he would be blow backwards. At this point, I realized Andrews's dilemma, and from then on, tried to paddle in a triangular formation with Dave at the point, and Andrew and I abreast. This was also much safer. Dave made a comment that I was slowing down, to which I replied, indicating what the problem was, though Dave did not acknowledge the problem. Other things were eating away at me inside. Dave was having problems with his boat. The gelcoat was all peeling off. He had major leakage, eventually he had to do fiberglass repairs to his front nose on the kayak where he had hit a reef in the past (the huge seas around Kelp Head had shot into the nose section). Dave's toggle on his sprayskirt rotted off. Man, Dave could have any new boat he wanted, why did he bring this clunker on such a rough water trip. Andrew had strange gear, including that summer, non-mummy bag that he froze in, but his gloves for paddling were made from recycled poly underwear. I resented the guys very much. They were upset with me too, for playing in rock gardens near Hakai Pass. But then if you never seen someone play in that before, it must be a shock. I hit a reef dead on and tore a piece of the Nordkapp's nose, but the new outside seams held fine, and unlike Dave's Arluk II, I have an end poor. Anyway, I told them I would behave from then on for the sake of the team. I was a bit surprised that the guys didn't realize Kelp Head would be so rough. What did they expect, heavy swell was running, a near gale, and tide, with reefs everywhere, all along an exposed headland with no beaches to absorb wave energies. We were also having problems with radio reception. Dave had misplaced his spare battery for the VHF radio, and wanted to save the remaining battery for emergencies. Andrew and I don't have VHF radios for philosophical reasons (one tends to take more chances, etc) Dave's newer Radio Shack weather radio did not pick up anything at all. Andrew and I had older model RS radios that worked better, but often the messages were very difficult to understand above the static. When we did get clear messages, they would often turn out wrong anyway, sometimes by 180 degrees. The cold fronts were moving through very fast, mind you. We started to disregard the forecasts, and go by what we were seeing. Some of the forecasts were for stronger winds than we were experiencing, as is the case on a lot of our summer trips too, so you start thinking maybe a gale warning usually translates to small craft only, which we were completely comfortable in. Due to the cold, our group did not share the usual social time like one would in the summer, pouring over charts, tides, contingency plans, etc, at super or whatever. We were too busy concentrating on keeping dry and warm, repairing gear, etc. Dave even had to perform fiberglass repairs on the beach one afternoon. While we always has some discussion regarding route, etc, I was not paying as much attention as I should have, nor was Andrew. Dave sort of took that role as navigator, and that was an unfair pressure to put most of it on him, though he was doing a very good job. We had pushed very hard the day before our crossing. A gale was blowing SE. The direction of wind was causing an offshore wind situation, and though somewhat in the lee, the paddle into Indian Cove was a hard one. Andrew didn't surf, and I was afraid we would be forced off the water by high winds the next day, and Andrew would have to bail in the surf, we had better push as close to the Cape as possible. Andrew had no stamina for this sort of end-of-the-day push, but he did it. We looked over the charts a bit for the next day. We decided to push for the Southgate Group the next day, but agreed to avoid strong winds around Cape Caution, as corner winds would be higher than the forecasted gale strength winds the next day. I was worried about the tide a bit too. Dave said the tide ebbed southwards and flooded northward in this area. I knew the tidal bore flooded rapidly up Goletas Channel from a trip up there the year before. Dave felt strongly that the situation was reversed around the Cape. I was confused and Andrew was bewildered, how anyone could think that the tide flooded north through the Strait, but we did not worry too much, as one can normally use backeddies to counter an opposing tide, if we did have it wrong along the shoreline route. I awoke at 4:00 am to take my antinflamitory pill and catch the updated forecast. Reception was good in the middle of the night, but I was rather tired. I remember hearing a gale warning to 35 knots, then diminishing to 20 by noon, then calming down, then another big gale for outlook. As the wind had been howling all night, I figured this was the gale and we would probably sleep in. Pine Island was reporting a 7-foot rough sea. I was surprised when Dave awoke us early, however, there was little wind and their was no evidence of clouds or rain, so we quickly broke camp. Dave, as usual, was pacing back and forth in his boat, already in the water, ready to go. Andrew and I wolfed down our breakfast, and departed. Just before getting into the boat, I said screw this, and did a beach check like I normally do with my other paddling buddy, Doug Alderson. I found garbage about and Andrew's tent poles! We picked up some tide movement, and arrived at the Cape quickly, about 8:15 am. Dave had the plasticized tide tables, and said we were catching the last of the flood and would use the ebb to push us up the mainland shore was really confused. If Dave had it right, and the tide did flood north, then why was he saying we were catching the last of it south? I did not argue with him, as that usually got nowhere anyway. It was very calm, with a 1 meter SW swell running, so I didn't worry too much. The sun was shinning, and there was no wind near shore. The gale must have blown out in the night. Dave suggested we cross then and there, as we had a "window of opportunity". I cast my eyes across to the Storm Islands - it did look calm with almost no swell Andrew, as I recall, was not too happy, as he wanted to stick to the plan. Dave felt we could shave a day or more off by getting over to the Storm Islands, then making our way over to Pine, Nigie, and Vancouver Island, then into Port Hardy the next day or so. I knew my girls would be getting worried and missing me; and my wife would too, but was it really a window of opportunity? Andrew and I had listened to the weather forecast that morning, but I don't recall taking it too serious. I figured 20 knots was what we might be in for, though now with the proposition of a crossing, I was concerned that the 20 knots, if Dave was right about the tide flowing south, it would be tide against wind. Andrew and I hadn't even contemplated the crossing, so had not looked at charts, etc, or worried about the wind We had wanted to listen to the VHF which would have brought in a cleared signal, but Dave wanted to keep it for emergencies. I now wished I had bought a VHF for the trip. I have borrowed them on trips before, but didn't want to impose on my friends when I new conditions would be so wet. Dave went through some kind of mental permutations only he could enlighten upon. He said it was only 6 miles across when Andrew expressed concern, hey," a couple of hours"he said. I said a lot can happen in two hours.Andrew repeated this. I was more game than Andrew, but figured we were moving from a position of strength to one of weakness, which I would not do on my own, but with other paddlers, felt safer. I was worried about the effects each Island would have on the tidal flow, and I remember seeing some fast flows through the channels we would have to cross. I figured we might be stuck on the Storm Islands, maybe a day or two, awaiting good conditions, but that seemed like an adventurous proposition, I also figured we could cross with a south flow to the other Islands once Dave and the rest of us knew what the tides were really doing. I was most worried about Andrew's kayak. I mentioned to him the night before that the day might prove rough clearing Cape Caution and dealing with discharge from Slingsby Channel. He assured me he had fixed his rudder problems. I was also worried about the weather getting vicious over the next few days. Andrew was still cold in his sleeping bag, the Mainland route down to the Southgate Group would expose us to surf in Burdett Bay, and the swell forecast was for 3 to 4 meters that day. As mentioned, Andrew was not into surfing, and did not have a helmet. When I asked him about bailing on purpose and following in behind his kayak, he looked awfully frightened with that proposition. I figured maybe Dave had a point. The forecast was talking about more snow, so on and so forth. I had always wanted to see the Storm Islands. Against my gut feelings, which kept whispering in my ear "stick to the float plan filed with the Coast Guard", I agreed. I am also fairly passive with other paddlers, tending not to be assertive if someone in the group has good skills and makes a decision - I usually go along. I also figured as long as we keep out transit bearing, we would be okay. If we could not keep it, then we could turn back. I picked my spot on the Island and a mountain range, and within 5 minutes, we were on our way. That was no way to make such a weighty decision. Even Andrew, with his cautious approach, said something like "let's get going guys" I figured Dave had his radio ready, his chart lined up, so lets go for it. Within an hour, winds were up to 20 knots. We passed a cruise ship, which I took as a bad omen. As it passed well behind us, Andrew seemed agitated, like it almost ran us over or something, like, give me a break!. I was surprised, but at least we were getting a little speed out of him. We had come in the off season to avoid cruise ship traffic, and I was mad we had seen one. Then Andrew did not seem to be paddling fast enough again, and was apologetic. I normally do crossings flat out, 4 and ½ knots. Andrew was also drifting off course, which Dave was concerned about. I figured if he was a bit far away, as long as he was in our vicinity, we were all going the same way. The waves were growing, and we were taking them at a slight angle. The wind had a lot of fetch, And I was getting concerned. The odd wave would do a side stern slap, which was rather unnerving as the wave broke on the rear deck. It was a weird sort of sea, for sure We also seemed to be drifting off course, as a team, not just Andrews slight drift away. Dave asked how I felt we were doing. My neck was still stiff from my incident with the logs a month ago, so I could not turn back to look at the Cape for my back transit, but felt we were generally on course. I usually give myself a good margin for error when I do solo crossings using my own navigation methods. I finally mentioned to Dave, which took a bit of determination from within to question his seamanship, and casually as possible mentioned to Dave that if we were going to have half a chance at hitting the north end of the Storm Islands, we should be aiming at least 4 miles south of the Storm Group. Having done a number of crossing myself in the off-seasons (20 milers) I knew from desperate prior experience that the correction for course drift must be commenced as soon as one leaves shore. Dave was nonplussed and said he was aiming for the middle nipple,in the center of the Storm Group. He said he was checking back over his shoulder, and we were still on a good course. I remained silent, and realized just how passive I am, what a bloody shit I am I thought, why can't I stand up for what I believe. I do the same thing at church, even at work, always trying to appease and please - not good when you know in your heart and head that the ferry glide angle was way too little for the wind-drift Dave again mentioned Andrew's veering away. I knew it was a problem too. After a bit, Dave came over and said he didn't think we would make it with the way Andrew was veering away and slowing down. I knew Dave was right, but said he was doing fine. I figured Andrew would just get mad if Dave said anything, as he had done the whole trip.And the islands did look like they were getting closer. Dave kept saying they were only a mile away, Andrew kept shouting two or more! The seas kept growing, and the wind kept getting stronger. The wind seemed to shift from south to SW, but I'm not positive as our drift angle was changing too. Dave asked about the forecast again, as he had not really listened to it either (why bother, it was frustrating to go by it anyway). He went and asked Andrew what Andrew recalled too. Andrew mentioned to me as I paddled up to him that NOW Dave was more interested in the wind forecast. Andrew said he told Dave it was North South East West. WHAT did that mean, I wondered? Obviously there was a lot of frustration with the weather forecast, such as it was. I also realized that I was the one they had depended upon for good forecast info that morning. As the winds grew, I knew only too well what that meant. Waves grow exponentially in height as the wind speed increases. We were heading into "deep" trouble as they say. Maybe we should turn back, maybe I should just shut up, and I bickered with myself. After a bit, I heard Andrew swearing. I went over to see what the problem was. His rudder cable had let go.Dave was way out ahead as usual. Andrew had no steering, and had lost a bit of his bracing with that type of slider system. I tried to encourage him. I seriously thought we should have turned back at that point, but a following sea without a rudder was, I thought, not a good idea for Andrew. The seas seamed rougher than the wind should be producing, too. Dave again expressed grave concern over Andrew's drift and speed. A conversation took place between Andrew and Dave, which Andrew said Dave basically ignored his statement that he,Andrew, didn't feel he could make it. Andrew revealed this too me later. I think Dave was so focused on the Islands, that he just didn't hear. I was very focused too. I moved over to Andrew and said I knew that people did not like to be towed, but I should clip on and "at least help keep his bow into the wind" Andrew is a very tough guy, very capable, very strong, and I did not want to embarrass him, but high wind paddling for long distances and towing are two things my body is built to do.. It was difficult clipping the Lotus Sea Tow caribener to his front toggle in the seas, and Andrew expressed his concerns. I'm good at Eskimo bow rescues, so wasn't worried. Finally hooked on, I paddled away as the line extended. Andrew did his best to keep up, but I was paddling at about 75% efficiency with his drag. Dave was way ahead as usual, but eventually came over, where I explained the situation. The waves were really growing now, and the Islands kept disappearing behind the wind and swell. The forecasted swell was for 3 to 4 meters (part of the reason in my mind for avoiding the mainland coastline). Waves were growing to a fully developed 6 feet. Irregular sets would come through much higher, and gusty winds were present. At times, the kayaks were almost vertical it seemed. When my Nordkapp and Andrew's Pieces locked vertical on simultaneous waves, there was a fair tug on my torso. Andrew grew very concerned for me. He tried to paddle up beside me a few times to tell me to forget towing, it was just too difficult for me he said. I have a good strong back, and was doing fine. My fit in the Nordkapp is superb, and the towing pressure on the back of my lotus Straight Jacket was distributing the weight evenly around the whole life jacket.. As the waves grew, I felt like I was paddling at about 70% efficiency with the resistance behind me. Dave was way ahead, totally focused on the Island. We blew our whistles to gain his attention. I heard Andrew swearing away. Dave finally slowed down. He asked me if I thought we were making progress. My glasses were completely spotted from the seas breaking over us, that I couldn't really tell. All I could thinkto do was encourage the guys that we were making progress. Winds were shifting a bit, the time to turn back gone, so I just focused on the island, but towing someone in those conditions for so long was just to slow to gain the progress I knew I was capable of doing on my own, so I was very angry, which was kind of stupid.. I did mention to Dave that his ferry angle sucked big time, and that I was setting my own frigging course. About that time, the ebb that we thought was a flood was really gaining velocity, As time passed, I knew it was more than wind drift sucking us out to sea. I was really angry at Dave. I was also mostly mad at myself. My wife had pleaded with me not to go as the weather was so bad on the north coast. I told her I could not bail, that Andrew needed me. He had paddled with Dave before, and had agreed to the trip because he knew I was going. Now, out on the sea in trouble, I had failed to keep Andrew out of a bad situation,one of my main reasons for going. At least I would tow him like no one has ever towed before "I am a mean towing machine, I am a mean towing machine I kept saying to myself. I slowed down to see how Andrew was doing. Andrew was very upset. He said his worst fear had been realized - "letting himself be talked into a dangerous situation". His lips were swelling from the constant barrage of waves. His fingers had rubbed raw. He was transitioning through every emotion known, including anger and bitter sobbing. We then spent a good three or more hours while the kayaks quickly drifted to a point a mile or so north of the Storms Islands Dave and Andrew had lost all sense of time. I had my watch on the deck, and knew how long we had been at it.. I then tried paddling as hard as humanly possible, but was down to about 65% efficiency. I was dehydrating quickly. The sun was out, though it was cool at about 5 to 10 degrees, and water was 7.3 degrees. Andrew and I screamed and whistled for Dave to paddle with us. I was concerned about Andrew. I had a hard time knowing what was going on back there. When Dave got to us, I said the only way we would make the Island was if he helped with towing. Dave said his tow rope was too short. I had a standard open water 50 foot line. Mad, but understanding, I resolved to paddling even harder. Andrew was still giving it his best, but when I poured on the speed, there was just too much resistance. Even though things were a bit out of control, I was enjoying every minute. The Nordkapp was working well, knifing through the breaking seas, clearing waves and getting airborne a few times. I felt it was one of the better paddles in rough water I had done in a long time.I was well within my comfort zone, and secretly was enjoying the whole adventure, mesmerized by the gloriously beautiful waves. I kept saying to Andrew when I checked up on him how beautiful a day it was, simply stupendous, and he ought to enjoy it. He was not amused. I still had lots of energy, but my back muscles were starting to hurt. I decided to make all the little things count. I relaxed my death grip on the paddle, except during gusts, which I swear hit 40 knots a few times. I focused on my paddle stroke, making sure I wasn't lifting water by removing the blade just as it cleared mid point beside the kayak I pumped with my legs.. I called Dave again for a tow, assist, but no luck from the bastard to my suggestion. No problem, I was switching over to adrenaline, which usually keeps me going through one whole extra tide change. We noticed strange waves doing strange things. Dave started to comprehend that we were indeed, for sure, yes you are right, we are in a north ebbing tide. I knew we were on or near a flight route, and that there was marine traffic usually coming out of Gordon Channel. Dave finally saw a barge, two in tow actually. The problem with a barge is that by the time you see them, the tug in front is way ahead. Dave fired flares after some discussion, and tried waving his paddle. The tug was way out ahead, I knew we would not be seen. I knew we needed the radio to contact the tug while we had a chance incase we could not get the coast guard. I told Dave to get on the radio quick. Forget a tug rescue you nerd, he's got two barges in tow in rough seas. Dave had the radio in the rear hatch of his boat. I was really mad at Dave for initiating a crossing, but not even having his radio handy. We managed to raft and get it out of the rear hatch, discarding some rear deck gear. Dave could not get anybody to respond to his Mayday. Now we felt really alone. Dave mentioned his boat was taking on water at some point - figures!, and Andrew was getting really cold and tired. I resigned myself to paddling as hard as I could, reaching as for forward as I could with the 225cm Lendal Archipelago blades. Andrew was slowing down. The harder I pulled, the more I hurt. I switched between a flatwater olympic stroke, and the a low sea stroke, and then to a Hawaiian pulling water stroke, so as to use different muscle groups. This worked fine, but I was severely dehydrating. I told Dave, once I got his attention, that I needed to hydrate, or I could not continue to tow. I had three power bars, but did not feel hungry or lacking energy, just wanted to hydrate. I also knew that hydration was absolutely necessary for hypothermia control. It was very difficult rafting up, especially breaking the raft, as that was a danger point for capsize. Also, the tow line would wrap around paddle blades, further complicating matters. The worst part was turning the bows into the wind again in such an exhausted state as we were in, though once straight on to the wind, a good pace was regained by Dave and I. I think we rafted two or three times, but lost precious ground. I remembered part of the forecast which called for diminishing winds. It was diminishing, so I figured we had a chance after all, and though, at the time, I felt Dave had blown the tides, I figured the semidiurnal tide would flood soon, so we would be okay. I begged Dave to stick with us. I wanted him to stay near Andrew especially, as I could feel the resistance much more now. I figured Dave could raft up if needed, maybe get something warm out for Andrew, some food, but perhaps Dave thought Andrew wasn't too bad off. I didn't know. Finally we saw a fish boat or two. Dave has the best recollection of this, as I was too upset, not thinking we needed outside assistance just yet - at least not the Coast Guard. Dave asked me what we should do, and I said I would tow Andrew into the wind in continuance, and that they could raft up and do what ever the hell they had to do to kill our trip. Flares went off, radio contact was made, I don't know exactly. The Coast Guard was sending a fast response Zodiac, cutter and a helicopter. A military Buffalo from Comox was sent aloft and coordinated the flares Dave was shooting with Andrew, so that from the plane's overhead position, the pilot could give the vectors to the fish boats. I remained really upset. I knew in my heart we needed to be rescued, but I could not bring myself to participate individually. I've already been written up in a sea kayaking magazine once before after being rescued. I don't think people understand how embarrassed I felt with the situation. Dave asked me something about firing some flares, and I ignored him.This was truly horrible of me. I had smoke flares, parachute flares, etc, but then I was also saving them for something more desperate if things got truly worse (like nighttime drifting past Cape Scott) and too busy towing the "raft". When Dave made contact with the Coast Guard, I broke down into tears. So much emotion, yet so much resentment that we were not going to make it to our destination. The whole trip, they're seemed to be a defeatist attitude, and now we might never make Port Hardy on our own steam. Bring on the government water taxi I said to myself. I took stock. Dave's boat was a piece of garbage I surmised. Andrew should have stayed home and flew kites I thought; but then I was rather frustrated at my self for making such a stupid error as this crossing on a trip that was supposed to not have any errors. I had a lot of energy left, and tons of adrenaline going on. Funny thing is that if I had waited for the tide change, I was informed by Ocean Sciences that it would have been 5 days until we would have had a surface flood. Good thing Dave initiated the rescue operation; I might have had another five hours in me, but not 5 days! Dave was exhausted, and said he was almost falling asleep, so it was just as well for Dave. He said he was cold too, which I found incredulous. He had on thermal poly underwear, a wet suit farmer John, and a fleece jacket - all under a full-bore-heavy-elements- dry-suit. I had a wet suit and Navarro dry top, with the usual polypro. Andrew is a survivor, and I think we would have some how made it if the rescue resources were not available, but, usually if you think you are in trouble and have called for help, you are often worse off than you think. As it turned out, we made it aboard one of the fish boats. When the Zodiac showed up, Andrew was treated with "heat treat", a box that dispenses oxygen and 40 degree centigrade steam into the hypothermic victim's lungs, directly. The fishing boat captain turned for the Storm Islands and was immediately amazed at the strength of the current we had been bucking. We transferred to the cutter (also called the "Lifeboat") in the lee of the Storm Islands. When we eventually passed the Storm Islands, Andrew and I looked in amazement. Dave, we said, this is a big rock sticking out of the sea. Where were we going to land? Four hours later we were in Port Hardy. My kayak was the only one still intact. I was doing fine until I stepped on to the warf. Both legs went wobbly, and in the blink of an eye, I went into hypothermic like convulsions. I rushed to the Coast Guard showers, making it just in the nick of time before collapse. If I had gone into convulsions like that in my kayak earlier, on the water... We failed on a number of accounts. We diverted from our carefully laid out plans by doing the crossing. We did not have enough information to make an intelligent choice to cross. We did not give ourselves enough of a margin for error for the unknown (the persistent ebb). We did not live up to the maxim that the group is only as strong as the weakest member. Andrew and I ignored our gut feelings. We each assumed the other person had done research, checked things out, or had the correct info. We displayed poor seamanship skills. Boat preparation and maintenance of at least two boats was very poor, given the hostile environment we should have known we were getting into. I will never again paddle with people I do not really know in the experience/skills department, but more so, the unknown group dynamics are one of my biggest lessons.l We did the right thing by being well equipped, for the most part, with distress signals (we had smoke flares and parachute flares if we got really desperate). We called in the mayday before things got way out of control (relative terminology!). The medic told Andrew his set point for getting cold was probably getting worse each day. Andrew was in mild hypothermia at time of rescue, but was at the point where he could have rapidly slipped at ANY SECOND. We consider ourselves fortunate. Dave and I are much closer to our wives and children now, and Andrew estranged son sought him out for reconciliation. And, we three paddlers are, a year later, all still friends - but paddle mostly solo now. 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/ ***************************************************************************
Wow! Amazing and rivetting read, Doug. I don't get SK, so I have been waiting for someone to announce the story's appearance there. I thought that I had missed it. Your postings sure give us lots to think about. While I will probably never be in a position to try anything like you did, your postings make me think through other trips that I plan and take. Thanks again for sharing with us. John Doug Lloyd wrote: > > It is exactly one year since the Storm Island rescue - April 10th, 1999. I > can't sleep tonight. I decided to send this report to the list. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
A classic tale in which sea-kayaking is only the vehicle. Bob *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Doug Lloyd wrote: > > It is exactly one year since the Storm Island rescue - April 10th, 1999. I > can't sleep tonight. I decided to send this report to the list. [snip] > Pls, no flames - I just want to share my version, in its > entirety (with the "daily" stuff taken out to decrease length). Thanks for > understanding! > > Bella Bella to Port Hardy (Intended Destination) > April 1999 > > "The Fools of April" [megasnip] There is much to reflect on in Doug's sobering narrative. It reminds me of some of the travails Joe Simpson details in his book about his injury/fall (and subsequent self-rescue) down a glaciated ice face in South America, after his partner is forced to cut the rope. (Can't remember the title, durn it!) Particularly vivid in my mind as I write is Doug's treatment of the dynamics among the threesome which lead to their fateful decision(s). Best stuff like that I've seen in sea kayaking literature. Thanks, Doug. May you paddle in peace. And, yessir, the "feelgood" patina of the popular paddling press won't accept a narrative like Doug's! Outside mag, maybe. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
>From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com> D. Kruger wrote >There is much to reflect on in Doug's sobering narrative. It reminds me of >some of the travails Joe Simpson details in his book about his injury/fall >(and >subsequent self-rescue) down a glaciated ice face in South America, after >his >partner is forced to cut the rope. (Can't remember the title, durn it!) "Touching the Void" is the book I think you're thinking of, Dave. Interesting you should mention it. When Doug was trying to figure out how three paddlers, each extraordinarily capable tourers in their own right, could err so badly when together, I was reminded of some of the K2 and Everest narratives. In these stories, mountaineers, many of whom are (or, sadly, were) accomplished climbers in their own right, come to grief at least in part because of flawed group dynamics. Doug, as always, thanks for your amazing candour and brutal frankness in laying out your misadventures. They are lessons to all of us, of whatever experience level, not to try to "tough it out" when our guts are telling us something's amiss. Philip Torrens N49°16' W123°06' *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Bob wrote: >A classic tale in which sea-kayaking is only the vehicle. >Bob A clasic tale it may be, but I'm in the "dog house" now. Dave is really upset with me over posting the report - he is still dealing with the trauma and post-stress syndrom. I've asked for his forgivness, but alas, our freindship may be at the ultimate straining point. Dave deals with things by slowly resolving it in his mind - maybe a year or two. I, on the other hand, deal with stress by blurting out what is on my mind. The internet just give me a bigger mouth to put my huge foot into. Even my wife sides with Dave, and has called me an idiot for posting the account. So be it. Anyway, let's just keep things to a minimum noise level on this - Dave reads paddlewise, and I am bringing him misery. I had a hard time living with myself today. I'm just to over-the-damn-top for my own good. I should just stick to solo paddling and solo conversation. Paddling in the gale was easier than all this. 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/ ***************************************************************************
Doug wrote: >A clasic tale it may be, but I'm in the "dog house" now. You absolutely did the right thing in posting your experience and analysis thereof. It was tremendously interesting and thought provoking. It might even save lives. If Dave or Andrew read this I would encourage them not to be angry with you in any way. In a high stress circumstance like this the perceptions of every participant will differ, even radically. It is Rashoman all over again. I hope that either Dave or Andrew, preferably both, would also tell the tale. All of us would learn more. Jerry *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Here's a couple of responses to the recent above captioned thread, grouped together for efficiency. I should also mention that my e-mail was full today with supportive confirmation and grateful thanks for the divulging of the rescue report to PW. I submitted the story with the knowledge I may loose financially and run the risk of cutting myself off from SK Magazine. To me, helping others immediately, learn from my mistakes outweighs most other considerations. At the risk of sticking my foot further in my mouth, I must respond to the non-back-channel stuff. Please delete or scroll down to next post if not interested, it is long: Dave Kruger said: >>There is much to reflect on in Doug's sobering narrative. <snip> Particularly vivid in my mind as I write is Doug's treatment of the dynamics among the threesome which lead to their fateful decision(s). Best stuff like that I've seen in sea kayaking literature. Thanks, Doug. May you paddle in peace. And, yessir, the "feelgood" patina of the popular paddling press won't accept a narrative like Doug's! Outside mag, maybe>> Thank you Dave. I was sincerely worried my post might have been an offence to respected paddlers like yourself who tend to shy away from needlessly machismo constructs like I normally post. I think right after the rescue, the three of us involved debriefed and agreed to work toward a published version utilizing an independent third party, as our versions would no doubt differ - even if just simply due to the ensuing confusion suffered during the rescue, from exhaustion - both mental and physical. I had originally wanted to write the story up (and could have), as I already had a working relationship with SK magazine. There was also an assumption of loyalty on my part, as I had made a commitment to myself to contribute worthwhile articles to SK for consideration (at least they don't devote gobs of space to run SUV reviews like Canoe and Kayak Magazine!). Right from the start, there was disagreement about how this should be done. Dave wanted to orchestrate the whole thing. I pursued Matt Broze, as I new him to be the most trusted person in the community to put together an unbiased version._I_ did that in concert with a serendipitous offer from Matt. This took some deliberate lobbying by me of the other two paddlers to get them to agree, as Matt tends to analyze things profusely. Matt realized, as I did, that there were just too many lessons in the rescue, not to let it suffer an ignoble end. SK safety write-ups have never really dealt with the group dynamics issue before - probably one of _the_ most important issues facing team paddle situations. SK agreed to the arrangement, giving Matt the go ahead, which implied a large cash commitment and many hours of resources from Matt and SK to coordinate the versions and satisfy everyone. I think SK would feel slighted by some of the PW comments, given the huge space they have earmarked for the story - so that all the details could be sussed out. I owe them an apology too, as I said they were "sitting" on the article. Their hands were tied, and I can't go into why, nor the historicity of the whole progression of occurrences. I did threaten them a few months ago, as I was originally going to approach Readers Digest and/or Outside Magazine with the story (I don't care too much for Paddler Mag.). It is within my right to do so, legally and otherwise, but I've wanted to remain faithful to SK and the decision that the three of us made. Dave's trust has been lost by my recounting the tale on PW, but I grew tired after a whole year of fiddle-farting around. My understanding from the other two guys and SK was that the story would be published in a timely fashion, with complete veracity. This did not appear to be happening, so I figured tacit agreements and other tenuous promises were off (though I didn't hit the "send" key with that fully in mind, nor maliciously - though I was upset with SK for not holding up their end on another journalistic item I had going with them). If other people are committed to safety and/or involved with preaching the safety message with the best interest of the paddling community at heart, a written version of this story did not need suppressing (for whatever reasons). PW is a group that I cherish. The help I received asking about my bad back (partially due to that long tow), overwhelmed me. Why would I not want to share with a group I respected (especially a newsgroup that can regurgitativley innovative a rehashing of the rudder vs skeg debate, etc ?). :-) I also cherish and love Andrew and David. I would die for each one of them without even having to think about it. That is why I unadvisedly mentioned personal glimpses of their relational lives at the end of my rescue report - because I was so happy for them. On the CBC interview I gave, I told the pesky reporter that I had wanted to "cut loose" Andrew from the tow, and rescue myself so I would be assured of seeing my two girls and wife again (6 mile crossings are a piece of cake to me - on my own terms), but then I said I couldn't obviously do that - that the bible says the greatest thing a man can do is lay down his life for a friend (the reporter cut me off at that point, probably figured I was a religious nut from the right; I'm actually an atypical Christian that thinks for himself). Andrew cried profusely once I entered the cabin of the wheel house on board the fish boat. After his "heat treatment" he was able to ambulate his words, and expressed deep, deep heartfelt thanks, with profuse tears, to me for saving his life with such a difficult tow. If that doesn't make print, I don't care. It was a cherished moment between two friends, forged through the fire of dire emergency. I will never forget the precious exchange via eye contact, before even the words were spoken. He _was_ mad at me about the interview though, later, as I made it sound like he didn't paddle at all - but that was due to the rapid fire nature of radio journalism. However, Dave said he was barely paddling toward the later part of the rescue, and that is when I got a bit more reacquainted with God again. Hope that isn't making anyone uncomfortable. So I stressed Dave out. Well, I have been awfully stressed too. You wanna know what, Doug Lloyd, the wild-side-guy, has only been out paddling FOUR times since last April. I hate to admit that on this list. I have a reputation to maintain, or Vince will supplant me! I just have had this weight on my shoulders for a year, with no closure in sight. I can't even complete my assignments for SK and Wavelegth magazines. I've repeatedly told this to SK and Dave, repeatedly, and hinted it to Matt. I had to unload it all the other night. I wasn't even getting my quotas at work. I now feel like a huge weight has been lifted. You guys know me from Paddlewise, I need to get things off my chest, and relaying via the print medium, even electronically, helps. Robert wrote: >> <snip> Maybe I've not met enough 5 star paddlers in my life. But the 5 star paddler Doug describes does not sound like any other 5 star I've ever met or even heard about. Five Star not only connotes competence in extreme conditions, but it also connotes leadership skills.>> Dave is an awesome paddler. If it was only me and him on the trip, we would have screamed down the coast, grins aplenty, and made the crossing before the weather closed-out. If it had only been me and Andrew, we would have used the extra time, and done the usual Pacific Northwest style of cruising, only paddling during good weather and smelling the roses along the way, recuperating and re energizing when needed. But the three of us was perhaps a bad combo, which was my original fear. A fourth person with a forceful personality or perhaps a logical female, may have helped, or could have made it worse. Dunno. I spoke with SK and Matt today (heck, am I an unpopular right now). I don't think inclusion of my version of the incident on PW should preclude their publishing of the rescue. In fact, I would hope Dave would want Matt's balanced version in to print as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, Dave can't read it yet, due to the post stress. Dave also has an SAR voice tape, given to him without precedent, of the entire expensive rescue. Dave is unable to review this material either, which is unfortunate, as it would clear up much of the second guessing Matt has had to do and even help with some of the current inaccuracies of the SK draft. We suffered badly on the trip and the crossing. Dave was almost pitch-poled back a number of times during the height of the gale, from the steep, open breaking waves (towing Andrew helped level out my boat and Andrew's to some degree, but the pitch and yaw with Dave's was terrible). Dave suffered more than anyone can imagine. 6 hours of that gale imprinted on his brain - he was cold, falling asleep, thinking he could die. I watched him, pumping his body, rocking side to side a bit with exhausted shoulders, white as a ghost, with his seams split - though he never told us at first, which was typical of out poor communication. Anyway, I doubt any one of you on this friendly list has ever experienced anything like that, or ever will, or can understand what he went through - or have the skills to handle a boat in those conditions. We both rolled a few times. I'm different though, I enjoy that kind of abuse -its my reason for living - I'm never as alive or fulfilled in my life as when I'm in those kind of situations. But I'm still sorry I didn't give Dave more time to deal with things, whatever the complex issues are. If the story never reaches a wider audience because of me and Paddlewise, then I have done the community a disservice. If I have brought in to a head, and closure ensues, then great. And please understand my graphic stream of consciousness retelling of the incident wasn't intended to hurt Dave or Andrew or suggest blame. Use of objectionable language is not part of my daily life. I was just telling it the way it went down. I always tell the truth on this list, keeping half truths and exaggerations expunged. Matt has another few thousand words to let you know how the other guys interpreted what they experienced and let readers know what a screw up I can be. Hope it becomes available. Regardless, I'm going kayaking once a week now, back to my first love, my "church" where I find spiritual sustenance and my sanity. I will also never let anyone orchestrate my life again. 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/ ***************************************************************************
Doug Wrote: <Huge Clip> >Regardless, I'm going kayaking once a >week now, back to my first love, my "church" where I find spiritual >sustenance and my sanity. I will also never let anyone orchestrate my life >again. Wow! What a privilege it is to be on this list and share in this heart-felt exchange. Doug you almost made me cry at work. Heck I still might - so much for being macho.... Aside from that, I want to give a big thanks for this post. Nothing puts lessons in a better perspective than hearing it first hand from the source. I'm not great with words so it is hard to express what I want to say but I sincerely hope the three of you can get past this and try to make something positive out of the experience. Joe *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
A tangential thought re Sea Kayaker and, probably, most other magazines which are commercial and which have to sell "news" for which people are willing to spend a portion of their disposable income. I know no more than any other PaddleWiser about what Doug has related on his dealings with Sea Kayaker --- a magazine that I enjoy reading and to which I have subscribed for nine years. But I am concerned with something which Doug has raised: the greater importance of having an "exclusive" status on a news item similar to this thread or of anything else. When Tom Hancock died on a solo trip on Lake Erie, I began to research his death and the factors which contributed to his death in part because he was a professional friend of mine in the Navy. The data was agonizingly slow in its release from the Ohio DNR, primarily because of the coroner's extraordinarily deliberate pace in releasing her conclusions. (Slow for me --- a torment for Tom's family.) His death was the result of hypothermia-induced drowning, said the coroner. I had detailed most of the DNR-related and media information on PaddleWise and on CPAKayaker by that time, and when I finally obtained the clinching report from the coroner under FOI, the news was too well communicated within the paddling community and the loss too much of a known commodity for Sea Kayaker. The only interest that SK had was in my interview with Tom's daughter --- provided at a lot of personal cost to her, but greatly appreciated. By that time, my interests were with the known community within PaddleWise rather than within the commercial community of SK, and since I'd pledged to the family that the interview information would be used for the greater good of sea kayakers and not for reimbursement, in any event, it was far easier and far better to share the story with this group than to allow it to float back and forth across the editing table while SK decided if it was worthy of their glossy pages. So I feel the pain for you, Doug, at least to some degree. It's too bad that the information which we all seem to want to see disseminated to the widest possible degree winds up wavering with editorial policy, out of reach of the people who have the most to gain by reading it. Jack Martin *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com wrote: > > A tangential thought re Sea Kayaker and, probably, most other magazines which are commercial and which have to sell "news" for which people are willing to spend a portion of their disposable income. > > I know no more than any other PaddleWiser about what Doug has related on his dealings with Sea Kayaker --- a magazine that I enjoy reading and to which I have subscribed for nine years. But I am concerned with something which Doug has raised: the greater importance of having an "exclusive" status on a news item similar to this thread or of anything else.< I think editorial policy that looks for that kind of exclusivity is being short-sighted and not doing a service to their readers. No amount of discussion in fleeting email on a listserver can ever substitute for a good article carefully constructed, edited and researched and printed later. It is what keeps the weekly newsmagazines in business and the monthly specialized mags going. Something blars out on TV and gets our attention as it develops. Later that day a newspaper has a reporter pull together the pieces into something more thoughtful than instantaneous TV stuff. A week later, Time or Newsweek puts further thought and focus on it as the smoke begins to clear. Still later an Atlantic Monthly or New Yorker (a weekly that looks back further than the previous week) looks at in a cooler analytical, meaningful way further piecing together the significance and multi-sides of the topic. If the Boston Globe, Newsweek, and Atlantic Monthly would only print what they exclusively discovered, they would be very empty indeed. Your own coverage of Tom Hancock's misfortunate death on Lake Erie is a clear example of this. Over time. you added layers and layers to the original report, wound up chucking some conclusions and coming up with newer ones and topped it off with, as I recall, a brilliant set of insights on likely went wrong that were great lessons for all of us particularly those unaware of the dangers of calm water paddling in cold water with equipment only half applied right. Your final report reached perhaps about 1,200 readers (I am adding the number of subscribers to PaddleWise and CPAkayaker, although some people subscribe to both and should be counted only once). Even that number didn't all read it for various reasons...too much email that day, away for a few days and deluged upon getting back on line, etc. Moreover, for the most part, the audience for the listservers tends to be somewhat more sophisticated and experienced, and those who are not are listening carefully in an accelerated learning curve. Sea Kayaker has a circulation in the 25,000 range. Being in print, the information is captured more permanently and, if not read today, the mag will wend its way to the john where it may get picked up and looked at again over and over. The mag's readership is vast and among those numbers are likely more people who inspired by the glossy ads and the seeming simplicity of paddling their new boat are unaware that they are pushing the edges of survivability when they venture out into cold water conditions even on calm days. The Hancock tragedy and the lessons learned would have been a classic, with the same impact on a lot of readers of Sea Kayaker as had the article by Moulton Avery in the early 1990s about the dangers of hypothermia which scared the beejezz out of a lot of paddlers. Doug's piece is another matter. While I understand Doug's frustration and why he finally spilled the beans on PaddleWise, it really was just one person's account of something, a person who was a direct player in the event, how it unfolded and its consequences. As such it was of necessity Rashomon-like with all the emotions of one deeply involved in the event...like all those conflicting accounts that mountain climbers rush to publish upon coming down from a tragic summit climb. The original idea, which Doug (to his credit) sought out, was to have Matt Broze, certainly a recognized, respected analyzer of sea kayaking accidents, write it up pulling the varied accounts and pieces together and coming up with lessons. Then, although I don't know how Sea Kayaker works, it would likely have gone through vigorous editing and challenges from a good editor, who as any good editor should act as "the reader's friend" (in publishing parlance meaning someone who makes certain all the appropriate questions about the event are raised and answered in the article). What a piece would that have been! ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com wrote: [re: need of commercial magazines to have an "exclusive" shot at news:] > So I feel the pain for you, Doug, at least to some degree. It's too bad that the information which we all seem to want to see disseminated to the widest possible degree winds up wavering with editorial policy, out of reach of the people who have the most to gain by reading it. Perhaps the main lesson here is that glossy pages give us stuff which is heavily massaged for the reading audience, and (on the beneficial side) subject to checking and rechecking, to include more than one viewpoint. Doug's narrative would be enriched by the inclusion of the thoughts of his companions. Doug was willing to share; the others, less so. We are the poorer for not having their thoughts. Their sense of privacy demands their silence, and I respect that. No easy solutions to human needs. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Hey Doug you didn't tell me about that trip. If I had known I would've brought my K-Light. Seriously it's a harrowing tale. I know you like to paddle in storm conditions, but that cold...I dunno. As for myself, really cold windy wet weather keeps me home by the fire. Maybe there's something wrong with me I don't know. Regards, Walt Levins Portland, Or. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Dave Kruger wrote: >>>Perhaps the main lesson here is that glossy pages give us stuff which is heavily massaged for the reading audience, and (on the beneficial side) subject to checking and rechecking, to include more than one viewpoint. Doug's narrative would be enriched by the inclusion of the thoughts of his companions. Doug was willing to share; the others, less so. We are the poorer for not having their thoughts. Their sense of privacy demands their silence, and I respect that. No easy solutions to human needs.>>> Well, you guys know how often I've ran to the defense of SK Magazine, and although I scooped the story from them in a small way and broke an oral contract of sorts, due to my own needs for closure in my life on the issue - and certain other frustrations, I will still defend SK to the core, even if they hate me now. SK does have the other viewpoints, and they have been well developed and massaged for reader clarity and balance and diminished egocentricity. Chris is a fine editor. As Ralph pointed out too, an editor's job is to be the reader's friend - good thing for the readers! I saw some of the stuff SK cut from Matt's initial rendering. It was all good stuff for the most part that was cut - but they can't devote 3/4 of their issue to the story. Maybe they should, but obviously they can't. I also disagree with some of Matt's conclusions and observations, but it wouldn't be right if I didn't - then you would know something was definitely amiss! I also accept the fact that my inability to question Dave earlier on, so as not to insult a true kayak guru, was the primary contributory factor to the failed crossing, given I knew in the back of my mind all the red flags were out - one's Dave saw as green or at least yellow. I've had a hard year living with myself, but need to get on with it. I'm sitting on a bunch of safety articles too. Also, and unfortunately, the way the three of us initially wrote up our accounts were done very quickly due to a hot edict. You saw how rough my report was (that report is similar to what I sent to Matt). I would have enriched it and done more correlating of facts, but we were told to get it in fast, so it could get out to the public fast, before it got "out there" - like PW, etc. I also specifically did not want the heavily emotional parts taken verbatim for a wider audience, (but PW was more acceptable, so I did not edit the post). Part of my frustration is that the reports, asked for so quickly, didn't get out. Matt took a lot of the details from the initial submissions, but then had to interview to get things to a better perspective. Dave was very concerned about "wordsmithing". We did not want to put the Necky kayak in a bad light, for example, It was an old boat - an important consideration. We didn't want the federal Canadian Government to look too bad, as the chart data sucked big time, but there are a bunch of politics going on behind the scene. Jack also had a good post about the Hancock tragedy on this thread. I tried to coordinate SK and Jack, but it didn't work out. I know SK has to take each incident on a "case-by-case" basis. The need for exclusivity may perhaps need some review, especially as it relates to newsgroups. I don't have the answers, either. There was a recent post with full details of the fellows stuck on the delta/island along the Columbia River. It was all over PW. SK, I hear, are doing it up as an article. Should that be cut just because a bunch of fat-cat braniacs on PW saw it first. I don't think so - what useful purpose would that serve to the public. Anyway, I hope SK will still publish the full Storm Island report some day. Dave's account is riveting reading, though if he purports to be an adventurer, he should toughen up and cough up! Yes, Matt really did do a good job with it all. And Dave really was a hero in the end, keeping his flooded boat stable enough to coordinate an air-sea rescue in the most dire of circumstances, while I just acted as a thug and tug. Andrew and I may well owe our lives to Dave's skill and training. I never said my version was complete, just my version, but the more Dave protests the stories's release, the worse he comes out looking. His stress syndrome goes way deeper than just the ocean-abuse. I also spoke with Andrew tonight (he doesn't do computers). He agreed with me that one year was plenty long enough, and fully supported what I did on PW. He's a precious man, a pacifist, and has walked away from all the percieved nonsense of the back and forth on the story. He has put on 1540 miles on his now heavily patched kayak, since the rescue (Dave's boat was declared structurally unsound after the incident). Like me, Andrew spent a whole week after the rescue, recuperating from raw, finger-bent hands, wondering why we did the crossing, when we could have taken the agreed route instead of sitting around at home in pain for a week. Unlike me, he jumped back into kayaking full bore. A very special man. I'm sure he would let you have his version on PW if you wanted it, and SK is unable to publish Matt's tripartite version with independent review. However, I will not do anything without Matt's and SK's permission - the PW public may have a right to the info sooner rather than later, but my legal defense fund is limited to selling my house and van, which wouldn't go too far and I doubt any of the folks from the 60 e-mails of back-channel support will feed and house me and my family. I could sell the kids I suppose, but no one in the world has enough money. (This is a joke guys, okay :-). Andrew also had some other things to say I will not repeat (I'm getting better at shutting my mouth - but he did think this whole thing is a bit of a tempest in a teapot). He said no one died or was dismembered, we could have easily lost him (Andrew) to the sea and had to live with ourselves for the rest of our lives, but _didn't_; so get over it, get the story out, and move on. He has little patience for the "situation" either. You guys would really like Andrew. He is a far better man than I will ever be. 18,500.00 miles on his kayak now! I think most of us are missing the boat here, literally! BC'in Ya Doug Lloyd (Who is sorry to piggy-back so much on Dave's post) *************************************************************************** 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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