>> A group was paddling a outrigger canoe. They were struck by an unexpected >> >> wave, capsized and six men (if my memory doesn't fail me) were now in the >> water. Two decided to make for shore about 100 yards away. They both >> died. >> Reason: Hypothermia??? Drowning. Real reason: Neither had on a PFD, >> were not dressed for the water temperature and the others stayed with the >> boat. These guys were club members, owners of the boat and experienced >> paddlers, but not smart ones in my mind. They paid a tragic price for >> their carelessness. I too am a Southern California paddler and I've often commented on the different attitudes of the outrigger canoests vs sea kayakers. I have never seen anybody in an outrigger in anything other than shorts and a T Shirt and no PFD's in site. Yet all of the kayakers that I paddle with, usually wear a wetsuit, a PFD, and a spray skirt if it's a closed deck boat. Steve Holtzman *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Sat, 19 Aug 2000, Steven A. Holtzman wrote: > >> A group was paddling a outrigger canoe. They were struck by an unexpected > > I too am a Southern California paddler and I've often commented on the different attitudes of the outrigger canoests vs sea kayakers. I have never seen anybody in an outrigger in anything other than shorts and a T Shirt and no PFD's in site. Yet all of the kayakers that I paddle with, usually wear a wetsuit, a PFD, and a spray skirt if it's a closed deck boat. I paddle in a 6 man outrigger on occaision. There are ugly orange horsecollar lifejackets under the seats. I've worn a life jacket one or two times. But I'm a rarity. I'm in New England and T-shirts with pfds under the seats is standard wear here too. This years Blackburn challenge had ugly conditions, with boats going over all over the place (up to 10' swells from the front quarter). My tandem canoe partner steered one of the 6 man boats, it was so rough they had one paddler stop paddling and just sit on the outrigger arm to keep the boat upright. I'll try and find out if any of the outrigger folks broke down and wore their pfds, in those conditions. kirk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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