Two kayakers from the Bellingham area are missing. Their empty kayaks have been found, but as far as I know (and as reported in the following story) the kayakers have not been found. According to the article, the two are not experienced kayakers (they were using kayaks they borrowed from a friend) and one is a weak swimmer. "They did not take personal flotation devices with them and were wearing lightweight clothing. Huso said there is no indication they had any supplies with them such as food, extra clothing or coastal maps." See the following for a link to the article: http://news.bellinghamherald.com/ Quite frankly I am surprised that this sort of thing does not happen more often. Let's hope for the best. Dan Hagen Bellingham, Washington *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: "Dan Hagen" <dan_at_hagen.net> > Two kayakers from the Bellingham area are missing. Their empty kayaks > have been found, but as far as I know (and as reported in the following > story) the kayakers have not been found. According to the article, the > two are not experienced kayakers (they were using kayaks they borrowed > from a friend) and one is a weak swimmer. "They did not take personal > flotation devices with them and were wearing lightweight clothing. Huso > said there is no indication they had any supplies with them such as food, > extra clothing or coastal maps." When you see such cases, and they do happen often enough, it makes you wonder. In this case what sort of provision did the lender make in terms of including PFDs or in any warnings he or she may have made regarding cold water clothing and precautions about paddling? A similar pattern happens here in the Northeast from time to time. Summer homes on the New England coast are getting readied for the season. A workman spots a kayak and paddle under the house or in a garage. The water seems calm and the air warm. He "borrows" it and goes for a spin., tips over in work boots and heavy work clothing into water at 45 degrees. Gone. Other cases. Other kayakers and I paddling in April around here often run across individuals who are launching at about the time we are. We are wearing drysuits or neoprene (water at best is at 45 degrees), PFDs laden with all sorts of things dangling from them including VHF radios, paddle floats, spare paddles, etc. The other people launching are in jeans, no PFD, no sprayskirt, no pump, absolutely no knowledge of the water beyond the put-in. I often wonder what they think of us. And, of late, I wonder what they would make of Doug Lloyd with his elaborate deck rigging, diving knife. Sea Seat et al. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
This is why I wish everyones first introduction to kayaking was more responsible than it sometimes is. I still see outfitters, for example, lay out a bunch kayaks, have people step into them with their street clothes on, and get pushed off the beach. I'm sure these twenty people per day then propagate this same technique to their friends and family, ad infinitum... Really one of my pet peeves! Andree http://www.onwatersports.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Andree Hurley wrote: > This is why I wish everyones first introduction to kayaking was more > responsible than it sometimes is. I still see outfitters, for example, > lay out a bunch kayaks, have people step into them with their street clothes > on, and get pushed off the beach. I'm sure these twenty people per day > then propagate this same technique to their friends and family, ad > infinitum... > > Really one of my pet peeves! I have not seen outfitters do that down here, but I can surely agree the behavior you describe is reprehensible. Though I am saddened by the (presumed) loss of the two young men, I have come to adopt a more laissez-faire attitude about such incidents. Those incidents are going to happen. Stay with me on this before you react. We have two or three outfitting groups HQ'ed down here, and they are all very responsible. Their attitude has permeated the local (emphasis: local) sea kayaking culture. In fact, the area "visitors' guide" the last two years published a short article about local paddling opportunities which included some caveats from them, and me (as the graybearded local, I guess) ... **until this year**. This year's visitors' guide has no mention of any of the safe paddling practices in its paddling article, just the usual Chamber of Commerce puffery about how groovy and wonderful paddling is on the Lower Columbia. So why did they axe the precautions? Probably somebody in the editorial staff decided it just was not upbeat enough. If I get fired up enough, I might go down and find out, because: If we want to reduce the number of incidents such as the one in Bellingham Bay, we have to educate the general public. Even so, there will be those we miss, perhaps like the two young men. Having been 20 once, I can understand how easily they could take off unprepared. I won't bore you with all the dumb stunts I survived. My bottom line? Some will go, others will not. All we can do is educate. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 10:25 AM 3/13/2001 -0500, ralph diaz wrote: > I often wonder what they think of us. And, of late, I wonder what >they would make of Doug Lloyd with his elaborate deck rigging, diving knife. >Sea Seat et al. > >ralph diaz It is really upsetting and sad. Kind of like: If they had only been wearing their seat belts! We recently took a group of people on a three day trip and one couple, who have nice fiberglass boats and carbon fiber paddles, had to be told that they had to wear their pfd's. They were incredulous and thought it over the top that we would insist that they have them on while on the water. The rest of us including one very new paddler had on Paddle tops, farmer johns and of course PFD's. The air temp was cool, not warm and the water temp about 52 degrees. People like this think that we are extremist until such time that they discover that it would have been nice to have on a PFD, Paddle Top and Wet Suit. Hopefully it is an opportunity for a learning experience for them and not the lesson of a life time. Fred *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
SNIPS > When you see such cases, and they do happen often enough, it makes you > wonder. In this case what sort of provision did the lender > make in terms of > including PFDs or in any warnings he or she may have made > regarding cold > water clothing and precautions about paddling? > > > I often wonder what they think of us. And, of late, > I wonder what > they would make of Doug Lloyd with his elaborate deck > rigging, diving knife. > Sea Seat et al. When I got my first Kayak last February (2000), I was aware of the dangers because I had done a bit of research and reading first, plus had known a high school couple who had gotten into Kayak trouble at the Outerbanks of NC the summer before - he didn't survive, she was found in a duck blind almost 2 days later, but alive. Her mother was livid when she heard that I had bought a Kayak, but that's another story. Anyway, while I was at work, my wife called and wanted to know where the paddle was because she and her mother wanted to launch from the house and go for a spin. I wanted her to wait until I could show her a few things that I had already learned - she and her mother thought I was being selfish with "my" (as opposed to "our") kayak. The outing was reluctantly dropped after a brief argument. Following weekend, I was going to show her some basic stuff. When it came time to put the PFD on, I got more resistance... followed by another argument, followed by putting the Kayak away again. Following week, I got a call at work from my wife, on her mom's cell phone, while she was out in the water with no PFD, no paddle float, no nothing, asking how to turn. Again, we argued, and she hung up. That evening, I got a nasty lecture from her mother about being a selfish worry-wart. My wife hasn't been out again (although she is showing an interest)and every time I see an article about an accident I cut it out and show it to my wife and mother-in-law. The wife is showing an interest in learning some skills and practicing safety (which means I might be able to give her my boat and get a new one !!!!), but the mother-in-law still thinks I'm being stupid. She's supported by my father-in-law who's attitude is "just don't tip over, and if you do, just climb back in and keep going". He's never even sat in a Kayak, or a canoe. Anyway, I'm now the selfish, scardy-cat son-in-law....... but that's okay, because I've done what I can to keep thier daughter alive and well, regardless of their ignorance for Kayaking. BTW, when I started the process of learning navigation, me father-in-law (who also lives on the water and has been a boater for over 30 years) thought I was again being stupid. "What do you need a book for, just look at the compass and go", he said. "What about true vs. magnetic north, and declinations, and plotting, and wind, and waves, and current, .....", I said. His response was great. It was "What?" I love him, but what an ignorant, know-it-all idiot! -- (said with love, of course.) Here's my point... Ralph wondered what others might think of us. I don't know what everyone thinks, but my in-laws think I'm a stupid, worrisome, scardy-cat, over-protective, take-all-the-fun-out-of-it, party poop whose too selfish and scared to let anyone take the boat out and play for a while. But that's okay, because we're all still alive to keep that tension going!!!!!! Well..... that was theraputic :-) I feel much better now. Rick - Poquoson, VA *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I'm hoping to read about your in-laws in Sea Kayaker Magazine. These kind of people make great Rescue, disaster stories, tell them to keep up the good work, these are the kind of people the coast guard lives for. No use waiting for Deep Troubles II, to be published, just follow them around with a camera and tape recorder. Sounds like Darwin was right on track................. tell them to hurry up though, Im running out of reading material. ;-> -- Perry Chamberlain Kato_at_qnet.com Liv'n on de Edge n de Desert Everyone has someone in their family who is crazy, if you don't know who it is, its you! *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Lake Champlain in Vermont and NY we have a group of Frostbite paddlers who are members of the Champlain Kayak Club (CKC). We paddle whenever the Lake is not iced in, usually we get out every month. This winter it iced in the beginning of march, last year most of February. We also see under dressed, under equipped kayakers in April when water temperatures are still below 40 degrees. CKC usually gets an article in local newspapers warning about cold water, etc. but still nice sunny days are tempting. CKC often sponsors a cold water workshop in late April early May. My question is what do others do to warn such inexperienced paddlers? I don't feel good just paddling by but am uncomfortable at preaching. I also don't want to feel responsible if someone I passed by drowned. thanks, David Miskell p.s. i am new to Paddlewise and am enjoying tthe discussions and learning lots and appreciate the repartee. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
perry chamberlain wrote: > I'm hoping to read about your in-laws in Sea Kayaker Magazine. > These kind of people make great Rescue, disaster stories, tell them to keep up > the good work,.... My Yellowstone EMT shirt reads, on its backside: Feed the bears. Walk up and pet the moose. Let your kids ride the buffaloes. Drive fast and pass on curves. We Thank You for Your Support. Yellowstone Paramedics. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
David Miskell wrote: > My question is what do others do to warn such inexperienced paddlers? I > don't feel good just paddling by but am uncomfortable at preaching. I also > don't want to feel responsible if someone I passed by drowned. Well, this is tricky. Engagement is the key, so that you have some rapport going before you lay on the safety stuff. Lots of on-the-water folks seem to be in their independent mode, and are not receptive to advice of the direct, confrontational sort. The trick is to hook 'em on the value of your gear (and ability to use it) without lecturing. Often, you can appeal to the (usually male) member of a duo who is a flagrant gearhead. Like this: Start a conversation about the ducks, the weather, the cool color of their craft, etc., then segue on over into one of the safety aspects of your own rig, something like: " ... hey, ever seen one of these? It's a paddle float I can use to get myself back into my yak. All you have to do is blow it up and stick it onto the end of your paddle while you're in the water, then hump your butt into the cockpit. I tried it out a few times to make sure it worked, and had some fun, too!" Or: "... boy, those feet look cold." (to member of duo who has blue lips) "Ever seen one of these babies?" (displaying upper edge of your FJ) "Keeps my body warm even when wet. Kinda kinky for a guy, 'cause it's sorta like a girdle. Guess it sort of evens things up. They come with relief zippers so it is easy to pee." And so on. It helps if you've been a teacher or a car salesperson ... [giggle] -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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