Re: [Paddlewise] kayaker presumed dead at MALIBU, Calif.

> I can't believe anybody would jump on a SOT and paddle in this without 
> a PFD on and be wearing shorts and a T shirt. The water temps were about 
> 58 deg today and the air temp was in the 60's. 

Agreed.

Not making excuses for the kayakers but it's possible they may have been
"surprised" by the winds (though t-shirts and shorts in 48 degree water
temps is incomprehensible to me - 48 being reported by the CG according
to the article but seems rather low for this area in early December I
think).  btw, the reported Air temps were warm (80's) and probably had 
the kayakers thinking it would be a perfect "summer-like" day to go for 
a paddle.  The winds began blowing really hard on Friday afternoon (if 
I'm remembering correctly) and I'm not sure what time they began their 
paddle.  Coast Guard received reports of the accident around 6:00 p.m. 
Friday. High winds had been predicted for that day with advisories issued.

> The only disconcerting thing was that while we were in the harbor, 
> one of the group tried a roll---and missed (very unusual for him), He 
> then did a wet exit and a re-enter and roll--but while he was in the 
> water someone called the Harbor Patrol about a kayaker in the water. 
> Their response over the radio was that they knew these guys and they 
> were probably practicing. I'm glad they are confident in our abilities 
> and skills, but it would have been nice if they had at least called us 
> to check. We did call them though and confirm that we were not in any 
> trouble.

This seems an odd reaction if the HP had not been warned there would
be rescue practicing going on. ?? Especially considering that a kayaker 
had been lost two days before and with the current conditions.  How did
they know who the caller was referring to?   

Jackie

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