Re: [Paddlewise] Lastest Sea Kayaker Magazine Issue

 Mr. Dave Kruger said:

<<<One wonders why the editor got fussy about that lapse, given the
panopoly of
other errors which appear in other articles.  Perhaps it was the 'tude
of the
dude.  IIRC (my issue is lost in the maelstorm we call a house), the guy
was
boastful.>>>

I know for a fact it wasn't Duane who had his article rejected regarding
a crossing on California's coast. I think I encouraged Duane to submit
it around for consideration. He has done a few crossings, and is
learning respect and seamanship as he progresses in his adventures -- is
that not how most of us progress in an athletic oriented activity, where
an element of danger exists?

However, I still think Duane's last trip posted on Paddlewise expressed
a little less safety reflection than perhaps it should have. Leaving to
do long crossings in the afternoon wind, across shipping channels
without navigational support and communication, is not the best in
seamanship. I said nothing at the time, as I am no one to point fingers,
and I also did not want to run the risk of hurting Duane's feelings, as
I enjoy what he writes and his matter-of-fact style and unabashed
enthusiasm, nor did I want him running from PW as I'd miss his
contributions very much. I don't recall any traffic on PW subsequent to
his post, conveying praise upon him. I took this as a sign that others
perhaps had some legitimate concerns.

Let's take this conversation away from the disservice of parading
Duane's name around PW, and just talk about crossings in general. They
are always a dangerous undertaking - in both calm or rough waters
according to Arthur. I've done a few off season ones, and know the
dangers of the latter. In general: unexpected winds, vessel traffic
where low visibility exits, solo paddles with no support, tricky tides,
and cold conditions and other injuries can all conspire against a safe
crossing completion. The Coast Guard has certainly expressed to me the
fact they consider longer crossings in a "coastal craft" as a very
stupid thing. Benign Positional Vertigo is a very real posibility too,
and can be malignant under the wrong situation. That is why I always
carry my back-up Sea Seat.

It would seem the least we can do as responsible paddlers is to make
sure all your bases are covered before attempting a crossing, and that
we are careful how we present these reports. I also know that here in
Canadian waters, Vessel Traffic Services might have some regulatory
weight to bear on you if you start to screw around in major shipping
channels. I know, because I've gone out and "chased down" freighters in
open type waters far from shore, catching there wake and generally
showing off. Maneuverability is good with a sea kayak, and during small
craft warnings or higher winds, following seas can be used for doubling
your speed out of the way. All makes sense to me, but the authorities
don't see it that way. Add fog, and you better be able to communicate if
there is trouble.

<<<If memory serves me, Duane has pointed out on this list that
"dodging" a
freighter is easy for a maneuverable craft such as ours, if one has good

visibility ... not that I'm eager to play in freighter traffic.>>>

Glad you added the visibility part, Dave.

<snip stuff for Duane to respond to>

<<<While I'm babbling (see, Doug, others have run-at-the-mouth disease,
too!), I
should mention that the tug operators on the Columbia must be about the
most
savvy bunch of mariners extant 'round here.>>>

Any mariner that frequents that friggin Columbia River Bar has to have
lots of savvy!

Well, I will not be running-on-at-the mouth much further anymore at this
tme in the immediate future for a while. Some back-channel e-mail has me
convinced that some folks think I write on PW for kicks and recognition,
or some such thing. I've done a lot of wild stuff over the years, and
simply want to share some of these experiences for their lessons sake,
not popularity. Everything I do on the water, is done with a degree of
safety in mind. Even the "open Canadian" canoe my family and I use for
our wilder family times, is a huge stable vessel with a high bow that
cuts up and over most dangerous waves, etc. My posts usually do
injustice to these kind of background considerations.

I will be lurking far more from now on, and let others have some
bandwidth. I'll post relevant stuff from my log books as I see fit, and
interject only if it is prudent to do. So, here's to lurking for now...

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd


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