RE: [Paddlewise] Not Enough Rescue Practice

Peter Treby said:

<snip>
>>So, you've had this experience too? I have mistakenly practiced a few
rolls
and rescues 300 m off a bayside beach here during a children's surf
carnival. I didn't think I'd be noticed, but as I was righting the boat
for
a float rescue, 2 Zodiacs with outboards rushed out to me, full of surf
lifesavers eager to give assistance. Should've found a more discreet
place
to practise.>> <snip>

This can be a real problem. A couple of weeks ago the CRCA was out here
on the west coast initiating some ground breaking courses and
assessments. One of the fellows, a long time water-wise board surfer,
was out solo paddling his kayak along an exposed section of Vancouver
Island's south coast, practicing for the intense course to come. He was
playing in some heavy surf. He was maneuvering his kayaking sideways in
the soup, then turning back out into the breaking surf, attempting to
partially break out and then do it all over again.

After some time passed, he fully broke out of the surf zone and paddled
about to settle down some. Suddenly, a Coast Guard helicopter came
buzzing around the headland, and hovered right over my friend, who kind
waved hi. The pilot took a look, then headed off westward, further up
the coast. The perplexed kayaker-surfer dude gave his head a shake, and
continued paddling up the exposed coast in search of some rock gardens
to play in. A few minutes later, a big "cigar boat"  pulled alongside.
(Not sure what kind of rescue boat it is; it is fiberglass, long, high
bow, and very, very fast - the auxiliary run it out of Sooke, as it
responds as far out as the West Coast trail, and is much more
comfortable than the kidney pounding Zodiacs are).

The rescue personnel told my friend there was a report of a kayaker,
desperately attempting to land in the surf, but was continually taken
back out to sea by the rip current, or something. My buddy said he felt
a pang of guilt and embarrassment, but assured the men he was fine, and
that he was simply practicing, adding that he had seen no one else in
the area of the reported problem. Not convinced, the rescue boat sped
away, the men desperate to find something to drag in. Needless to say,
nothing was found.

I've had a few experiences too with this type of thing. I phoned up some
of these rescue agencies to see if something could be done, such as a
warning call, but they said they could not take a chance by not
responding, less someone in real need be denied.

The "three amigos" involved in the Storm island rescue were out
practicing stuff in a big blow prior to their trip. We did some fun
stuff, played around, experimented with paddle floats for a SK article I
was working on, and I did a few reentry and rolls with pump-out (solo).
When we got back to shore, we saw the Aux CG Zodiac pacing back and
forth, looking at us. I phoned them later to see what and if there was a
problem, but they didn't want to talk to me about it.

I try to do solo rescue stuff out of sight now. Besides, its more fun
and more realistic! Anyway, generally, unless you are doing an all-in
rescue, as long as a few boats are still upright, people are usually
smart enough not to call the authorities. I have other stories, but
shall cease now. Safe paddling to all, and to all, paddle safely.

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/
***************************************************************************