[Paddlewise] tempting the angry gods

I've had three *interesting* experiences with weather storms. The first two
were lightning strikes in the water while sailing. In each case, the
lightning hit the water between boats which utterly amazed me because I'd
have thought that aluminum masts would provide a lightning rod. The
lightning made a "kerchunk" noise when it hit the water, clouds of steam
rose from the surface, and the surrounding sailboats had St. Elmo's fire
dancing from the rigging for a few seconds. I don't recall a "tingling"
sensation but I certainly recall being scared stiff.

The third incident was the most bizarre. It occurred on a lake in Northern
Quebec which was one of those long finger lakes where the rocky shore
plunged into the lake on both sides. Except for an ungly cloud which hovered
on the eastern horizon, the sky was blue and the lake was calm when I set
out. About a quarter of the way down the lake, I noticed that the wind
velocity had increased tremendously at my back. Within ten minutes there
were huge rollers sweeping down the narrow lake and I was having a hoot
surfing down the waves.  THEN - a tornado crossed the lake in front of me.
I've never been close to a tornado before and this one came from the east
shore, laying down trees as it went, and then raising a waterspout when it
hit the water. It was definitely an "oh sh*t" moment when I realized that
the wind was howling at my back and I was several hundred meters away from
the tornado which seemed to wander across the lake in an erratic path. Once
the tornado crossed the lake, the wind started to howl in the opposite
direction which made for hellish waves. I don't know what my top speed was
on that paddle, but the distance paddled and the time taken indicates that
my *average* speed was 28 kpm.... which is the fastest I've ever gone in a
kayak but certainly an experience not worth repeating.


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