I haven't checked my mail for the last couple days, all the letters about safety really struck a chord. On Tuesday night, I made plans to go paddling with a guy I barely know, and his newbie friend on the next morning. This guy, who works across the store from me, just got a new boat and was going to try it out with another friend who had rented a seakayak. He told me he had some experience "paddled all last summer in his dad's boat at the lake..." that he had all the gear and wanted to go paddling with me. He mentioned that his friend was brand new to the sport and that he wanted to show his friend a few things. I believed him. He proceeded to talk about his new paddle and the life jacket he just bought. I was being paged to a meeting, and quickly agreed to meet at the lake access at 10:00 for a little touring. He said that he didn't like to go fast, that's fine, I could just paddle one of my whitewater boats and still get a workout. I told him to expect temps in the 80's, 20 mph winds, and water in the lower 40's - emphasizing to dress for the water. - By now I was running late for the meeting and had to split. Mistake #1 Anyways, I showed up at the beach with my full collection of gear, thinking he or his friend might need to borrow something. He showed up with his new boat, paddle and PFD, and explained that his friend couldn't make it for whatever reason. The "experienced paddler" before me was wearing a cotton t-shirt, ball cap, a tiny swimming suit and teva's. That's it. I ended up stripping off some layers under my dry suit and insisting that he put them on - to his protest. A thin wetsuit, some polypro, a spare sprayskirt and voicing a little protest, he looked moderately ready for the conditions. He was paddling a Magellan with rudder, a large seaworthy craft that I hoped would help him out. Not wanting to lecture any more, I decided screw it, the lake is perfectly calm, we'll be fine - he paddled his dad's Magellen all last summer, we should be fine - I had almost conviced myself. Mistake #2. He jumped in his boat, I helped affix the skirt, and he took off. I caught up to him a few minutes later. Explained the various landmarks on the lake that I wanted to see. And we decided on a route. We paddled about 200 yds, I noticed he had a high swinging, almost canoe paddle stroke - that's weird, I thought. I asked him to stay close, and try to match my strokes. But, I didn't show him a better stroke - Mistake #3. We rounded a bend and were faced with small waves - no more than 6 inches tall. I heard a splash, looked behind me, and saw his upturned boat right behind me. I helped him back in with an assisted rescue, emptied his boat and calmly explained that I wanted to get him back to shore, dry him off, and stick to the calmer waters - the winds were getting stronger and the growing waves from this bay were pushing us farther out. He agreed, we turned the boats, and headed back against the waves. I stayed really close to him now, and kept him talking, we made it a whole 20 feet and he dumped again. We completed the same rescue in the face of gusting winds that you could barely open your eyes in. While pumping, he casually tossed in that he had never paddled in waves before (NO JOKE) and that he only went out last summer when it was nice out. I asked how often he paddled at the lake He replied - "two, maybe three times". Now he was thoroughly soaked and we are being blown quickly away from shore. Looking across the lake, I argued that it would be easier just to make the 1 mile crossing with the wind at our backs, instead of trying to fight it. We should hit the other beach in less than 15 minutes. "You're the expert", he says and I want to kick myself. The waves are now much taller and we are making great progress across the lake. He is heeding advice on correct forward strokes, and is now timing strokes on the wave face. 120 yds off shore, I commented on how well he was doing...he looked at me, lost concentration, then dumped. He is now becoming proficient at the assisted rescue, and needed little encouragement to get back in the boat. While he pumped, we discussed a landing plan for the rocky beach. While he steadied himself and held onto my boat, I slipped off my shoes -and cheerfully explained that I didn't want to get them wet. I hauled us ashore, we carried the boats up to the road and over the restaurant were we had planned on having lunch. All the beer lights were on, several cars in the drive, I asked what time do you open for lunch? His reply "Friday". So, since my companion had no dry shirt, I opened up my drysuit and gave him mine. Since I am quite sure that we are done paddling for the day, I pulled off my drysuit and all I am wearing was my swimming suit and a discolored chafe shirt. You know those nice tight shirt that emphasize nipples, and make me look like a flaming gay guy with zero fashion sense. Needless to say, I ditched all prior plans of paddling back across the lake to the put-in. Though I could have probably done it myself and made him wait. He regrouped and warmed himself while I thumbed a ride to get the car. If I can offer any advice from what I have learned, it's to never trust a newbie, discuss everything, and plan-not hope for the best. He was somewhat pleased with the trip, saying, "Well, the water wasn't as cold as the ocean, and I had a pretty good time with you helping me." I know, however, that it could have been much worse. I shudder thinking of "what if" I didn't show up and he and his friend tried it together. I'm glad everything turned out okay. Chalk this up as an experience where the watergods let me off with a slap on the wrist. I know it could have been worse. Phil Huck thekayaker_at_yahoo.com huck_at_mhd1.moorhead.msus.edu *************************************************************************** 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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