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 *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Hey Doug, Thanks for your Pushing the Envelope trip report. It was quite a fun read. I'm glad somebody got to paddle in that blow. It seems like everytime something interesting comes along, I simply cannot get away from work/life to go paddle. That particular blow only lasted the morning in Seattle and then it was clear and calm by afternoon time. At least it's prime river season here, since rivers are much more forgiving of a busy schedule and offer similar benefits, though with less solitude... That is quite a story about the first encounter with the reef. I think I can imagine how it went, and I am impressed that you survived without a scratch. Pure dumb luck sure is helpful sometimes, isn't it? :) Solo, in a severe storm, and rock gardening without a helmet! The first two are a calculated risk, but not wearing helmet while rock gardening is just plain dumb. No self-respecting river kayaker would ever do that, right? Now about that reef... you neglected to mention how hard your hull hit the rock. Or did it just ride up and over on a cushion of water? Full broadside, or a quatering blow? Now I know why you make your boat so heavy with extra glass. Also, how high was the drop from the top of the rock to the water below as your kayak was sliding off? Thanks for investigating what happens when a suck-hole opens up underneath a kayaker. I've always wondered about that, though I doubt I would ever want to get close enough to find out for myself. I like rivers where risk is much easier to manage. I think your journey would rate as SK-VI, and I don't even paddle class V... :) Are you sure that you didn't leave the helmet behind on purpose to liven up the story? Well, since it's late at night, I guess I won't edit out the mild sarcasm below. It's all fun. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Doug Lloyd" <dlloyd_at_telus.net> To: <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net> Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2001 11:47 PM Subject: [Paddlewise] Going Off-line > > 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. Yes, based on your large body of similar stories, your training is indeed substantial. Few could match it. But "training" is such a deliberate word... tell us the truth. Is any of that training actually better described as "experience"? 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. Really? I just assumed that you maintained your fitness by lifting your 100lb boat onto the roof of your car. :) > > 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 don't think this is true. People on this list who voice disagreement simply don't understand that kayaking is ultimately a completely individual sport. In kayaking, there will always come a time when you are responsible for your own neck alone, which I think is unpleasant thought sometimes. Still, it is quite nice to have buddies along to help you out of a jam (sometimes literally). Also, you know the Coast Guard better than I, but their perspective is probably skewed by all the beginners that get themselves into stupid trouble. (This is inherently much easier to do in a sea kayak than a river kayak.) And I don't think Coasties really understand the rough water survivability of an expert kayaker. > 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. You forgot to mention "And don't do what I do..." ;) Cheers, Kevin *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Great Trip report, Doug! I don't feel any sudden compulsion to run out and emulate you, but I get a kick out of reading your lucid descriptions! Like Kevin said--did you touch the reef? Any boat damage? Scratches even?? Keep in touch, Shawn Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices http://auctions.yahoo.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/ ***************************************************************************
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