[Paddlewise] Rescues in Southern California

Paddlewisers,





We had some rescues in Southern California on Monday evening.  Six kayakers 


in a group of 10 led by a local outfitter were getting blown out to sea, two 



of them as far as a mile in 25 knot winds.  Two of them were saved by a 


county fire department water rescue crew, two by state beach crews, and the 


other two by the guide.  One of the kayakers rescued by the fire department 


was identified as a woman from Seattle, Washington.  At least one kayaker was

in the water and saved by the fire department, and two were treated for mild 



hypothermia.


                                     


On a more personal note, just on Sunday I was leading a group of seven from 


the larger Friendship Paddle in Central California.  There was a small craft 



warning, and we were going for a short rough water paddle, while the rest 


stayed in a protected area.  I warned every one of how bad it may get and the

skills they need.  I knew four of them personally and could vouch for their 


skills, and there were two who I didn't really know about, but they insisted 



they were up for it.





On the way back, we had some moderate following seas that were occasionally 


breaking, fun stuff for people with the skills, but scary for those without 


them.  It wasn't long before one of the guys I didn't know was swimming.  A 


couple of the people I could vouch for (who were women, by the way) got him 


back in the kayak and pumped him out.  While this rescue is going on, the 


other guy I didn't know asked me for advice in handling following seas.  I 


noticed he'd been unsteady.  I gave him some crap for coming on the paddle, 


and his response was that he had to learn sometime.  I realized right 


afterwards that my comments to him were counter productive, but I was angry.

I couldn't enjoy the rest of the paddle knowing the conditions could get a 


lot worse fast with two people who were a liability to the rest.  


Fortunately, conditions didn't get much worse and we made it in.





My lesson was don't paddle with people you don't know in rough conditions, 


even if they insist they have the skills.





Duane






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