[Paddlewise] Going Off-line

I'm going off-line for a while. Need to spend more time training for my
Columbia River Bar trip this month. Also need a new ISP after tonight,
as I cancelled 30 days ahead in April. Just wanted to clear some junk
up.

1) I reported on a paddler who went missing off White Rock last week,
after supposedly checking crab pots or something. His body was located
by divers this week, and the matter is still with the RCMP, so don't
know disposition of case.

2) Wild weather continued through this past Tuesday, with another
incident off Victoria. Winds were running around 30 knots I believe (not
sure if it was that high near scene of incident near Trial Island. The
matter involves a rental, and is confidential). This brings the total
number of paddlers in serious difficulty from the period of Sunday
through Tuesday to 11, and that's just what I know of, and is restricted
to a fairly small geographical region. From all reports, the paddlers
were way out of their element and capabilities. Another reason I should
back away from publicly promoting wild adventures with sea kayaks. Too
many folks are taking on too much challenge too soon.

3) My recent "Pushing the Envelope" trip report might cause a few heads
to shake. Please, new to intermediate paddlers that have just joined
Paddlewise, realize that the outing into outlandishly chunky seas
represented years of dedicated training, manifold experience, boat
handling skills, heavily modified equipment, and a fairly intimate
knowledge of marine hazards and local weather patterns. I also know
every square inch of my body, what my capabilities are, what my
weaknesses are, and almost to the minute what endurance levels/cold
tolerances/ stamina potential I have. I work hard at core-strength
development with a "Swiss Ball", use abdominal awareness skills in all
activities and training regimes I do, so predispose myself to being able
to sustain abuse. Its all about finess, not heavy training. When someone
sees me heading out, they have no idea how much life-specific directed
skill had been developed for such endeavor.

4) Ultimately, solo rough water paddling is a high risk activity. It
isn't publicly condoned. Kayak surfers, river runners, and even Tsunami
Rangers all have their rating systems, protocols, recognized equiment,
and tacit approval vis a vis appropriate risk taking. Sea and big lake
paddlers engaging risk behavior are frowned upon for the most part. I
think that is the draw for me. I often hate the sameness associated with
normalcy, full of rules and do's and don'ts. I get the most out of life
when I take the time to engage in risk activity once and awhile, seeking
physical danger outside the mainstream norms. Ultimately, a lot of this
may come down to genetics. Scientists in Israel have recently isolated a
gene associated with risk taking which predisposes certain individuals
to sensation-seeking behavior or the associated increased tolerance for
risk. Its not our fault.

Thanks for listening. Be safe please. See you in a week or two. And, if
you haven't gotten out this paddling season yet, get off your duff, turn
off the TV, get your gear organized, and go smell the kelp - from water
level. Just do it.

Doug Lloyd




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