ralph diaz said: <snip> >>>I know how you feel regarding giving a long string of safety advice to newcomers. They look at you as if you have just told them there is no Santa Claus. I feel like Scrooge or the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. (I still vividly remember talking to some inexperienced people about having paddled without cold water gear while I was donning mine and their looking at me like I was some old meanie.) Many manufacturers don't want to hear or, better stated, don't want their potential customers to hear it.>>> Well the Grinch did steal a whole lot more for the unfortunate kayaker who went missing in Georgia Strait this past weekend -- his body was found early Monday morning washed up near Comox. He made the crossing in the end, just not alive. It doesn't look like he was wearing much in the way of immersion gear. He was fairly experienced, but solo kayaking can be very dangerous in the wrong set of circumstances. I did "preach" that message at the Paddlefest too, so as not to suggest that just having skills and good equipment is the be-all and end-all of safety. The best piece of safety gear can often me a competent paddling partner. I spent a fair bit of time today with the CG and Rescue Coordination Ctr authorities, including the RCMP and locals from the area where he lived. The CG were very cooperative, and got back to me with a full description of the kayaks contents, location of gear, etc. they even had someone report back on the condition of the body and apparel worn, etc. They are much more cooperative than a few years ago with these types of inquirers. I'm waiting for a coroners report to verify that the accident wasn't a heart attack or possibly some grievous act, given that the area is notorious for pot growing and other criminal activities. The CG always make some subjective comment, and this time it was regarding a small incident I reported on PW a few weeks ago concerning a local Victoria paddler who capsized off the Victoria waterfront, and scrambled onto some rocks, where he used his VHF and flares to summon help and coordinate location pinpointing (an often forgotten part of the rescue strategy thinking of paddlers). Anyway, the CG fellow was tinkled pink that the guy in that little rescue was PREPARED. So he blew it, at least he had the ability to summon timely help. The CG hates tragedies as much as anyone else. BTW, I mentioned a ferry boat heeling-over in the area of the missing kayaker incident - it was a passenger ferry only, not a big BC ferry. Keep up the safety talks Ralph! I'm sure you convey a good balance about the dangers and the fun too! The story about the kayaker rescuing the swimmer in Kelowna was a positive story for once! DL *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:13 PDT