[Paddlewise] Night Paddling

Nick Von Robison said:

>>>I did my first dark paddle last night, solo, something I've been
mentally gearing up to for a few months.  I put this under the heading
"risky business">>> <snip>

Great description Nick. I've done just about every kind of paddling
while under night time conditions (storms, swell, surf, tide races,
etc). I have not done rock gardens in the dark on purpose (just in a
night time landing emergency), but I understand the Tsunami Rangers do
it. My most favorite night paddling activity is as you describe -- going

out off shore a bit, in nice calm conditions. Nothing compares for a
change of pace. Our club schedules group paddles in the off season on
full moon nights -- they are a real hoot (pardon the pun).

You sound like you approached the whole thing from the point of view of
making yourself visible. This is a must, as we all are responsible for
engendering responsibility and respect in terms of what other boaters
see us doing, and the authorities -- thank you for the responsibility
exhibited in your post.

A couple of years ago, a BCU coach here in Victoria led some course
participants out for a little night action amongst the Gulf Islands.
Unfortunately it was done in a relatively congested area for marine
traffic. There were problems, errors in judgment, presumptions -- the
usual goof ups that can happen when someone with poor people skills is
leading people into risky type behavior. I heard that the next day, the
group took a BC ferry back to Vancouver Island. Unfortunately, these
guys happened upon the same ferry that they had "crowded" on the
previous night. Apparently, the ferry Captain came down from the bridge
to personally reprimand the star coach -- I don't think is was too
cordial a conversation! (BTW, recently this same coach was reported to
the Coast Guard by some clients for inadequate equipment on a
"paid-for-hire" trip -- some guys should just stick to paddling for
themselves, and not do it as business).

I had a bad experience in Active Pass (a very fast moving tidal pass
used as a marine highway) one late evening. As soon as I get up enough
nerve to post it, I will.

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd



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