Re: [Paddlewise] Lastest Sea Kayaker Magazine Issue

Dough said 
<< 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.  >>

Duane's first lines of his trip report 
<<Even though we were about to start the most dangerous crossing in Southern 
California, we were breaking our own rules by disregarding the weather 
forecast and launching late, which was going to put us in the middle of 
the thirty-mile channel during the afternoon winds. Never before had I been 
so scared about a crossing.>>

Jim,
    I didn't think your listing of your preparations was at all boring. I 
went over and reread the trip report and I agree with Doug, the story lacks 
really much mention of preparation. 
    When I read the very first sentence of the story it preset me to expect 
disaster of some kind. Maybe it is the tone of the story and the lack of any 
real mention of what depth of preparation had been unndertaken. I sincerely 
believe that if at least some of the details of the prep work had been in the 
report and the lead hadn't been so ominious reaction would have been 
substantially more positive. 
    In rereading it with what you posted in mind, I enjoyed the report a lot 
more. I found I was feeling really bad that you don't make it rather than 
feeling you shouldn't have tried it, as I did the first time I read it.
    On top of that I think the video must be just great as long as you didn't 
take too many pictures of the fog <G>.
    Thank you for adding to what I knew of the trip. I'd love to hear about 
your next try. I'm assuming you intend to try again.

Joan Spinner

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