Anyone know any more about this? Some details are at http://fresnobee.com/state_wire/story/1287616p-1356134c.html *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> From: Frank Lucian <murpho_at_mediaone.net> > > Anyone know any more about this? > Some details are at > http://fresnobee.com/state_wire/story/1287616p-1356134c.html I tried to find info on this yesterday searching southern California newspapers and newstations. I didn't think to check a paper inland and way north of here (LA area) 8-\ I never found anything locally. We had very strong Santa Ana winds blowing Friday and Saturday. I heard a brief newsreport on the local news Friday night that one kayaker had be rescued and another was missing. This is the first I've heard the search was called off. The conditions were serious enough even for an expert kayaker to be paddling away from shore much less *anyone* paddling without wetsuit or drysuit (Santa Ana winds gusting up to 70 - strong enough to topple an 18 wheeler and other vehicles, plenty of warnings and advisories). Not the first paddler to go missing during strong offshore winds like that in the five years I've lived out here. Another incident four years ago where neither paddler nor kayak was ever found when a relative beginner struck out alone during very strong Santa Ana winds (again, gusts up to 70 mph). Claudia Mathieu, Dec 10, 1997. I would also be interested in more details about this latest incident if anyone has info. Jackie *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Jackie, I only heard a brief announcement on the news today concerning this. Twelve of us went to put on a practice session on bracing and rescues today out of Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, CA. This about 20 miles north of Dan Blocker Beach (another location that our group frequently paddles out of). When we arrived at the harbor to launch and paddle to a semi protected area behind a breakwater, where we do most of our paddling, we found winds of 20-25 knots and large waves breaking over the breakwater at the harbor entrance. As we paddled out, we found it was a real struggle. Another Paddlewiser and I were the two hosts for this club sponsored trip. When we reached the end of the harbor, 3 people said they wanted to turn around and do a harbor paddle because it was too rough. I called the other leader on the radio and told him that I would stay with them and that he should have 8 paddlers with him. We headed back and I had to call back and say we now had 8 paddlers turning back, then it was 10 paddlers turning back and finally it was all 12. We then did a paddle through the harbor that was anything but easy. I estimated the winds at 30-35 knots inside the harbor and someone in the group had an electronic wind gauge and he measured 32 knots. The wind waves in the harbor made for some interesting paddling. 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. We are a group of paddlers who do open ocean crossings--yet we all opted to not go out of the harbor because this was the roughest conditions any of us have seen. When we finished the harbor paddle, the best paddler in the group said, "we should have gone to a restaurant instead. 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. Steve Holtzman ----- Original Message ----- From: Jackie Fenton To: paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net Sent: December 09, 2001 4:17 PM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] kayaker presumed dead at MALIBU, Calif. > From: Frank Lucian <murpho_at_mediaone.net> > > Anyone know any more about this? > Some details are at > http://fresnobee.com/state_wire/story/1287616p-1356134c.html I tried to find info on this yesterday searching southern California newspapers and newstations. I didn't think to check a paper inland and way north of here (LA area) 8-\ I never found anything locally. We had very strong Santa Ana winds blowing Friday and Saturday. I heard a brief newsreport on the local news Friday night that one kayaker had be rescued and another was missing. This is the first I've heard the search was called off. The conditions were serious enough even for an expert kayaker to be paddling away from shore much less *anyone* paddling without wetsuit or drysuit (Santa Ana winds gusting up to 70 - strong enough to topple an 18 wheeler and other vehicles, plenty of warnings and advisories). Not the first paddler to go missing during strong offshore winds like that in the five years I've lived out here. Another incident four years ago where neither paddler nor kayak was ever found when a relative beginner struck out alone during very strong Santa Ana winds (again, gusts up to 70 mph). Claudia Mathieu, Dec 10, 1997. I would also be interested in more details about this latest incident if anyone has info. Jackie *************************************************************************** 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/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** 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 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 *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
>Not making excuses for the kayakers but it's possible they may have been >"surprised" by the winds Definitely possible--We launched at 10:00 AM yesterday in fierce winds and were told that the water had been like glass at 0800. > 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? The only thing that we can guess is that the HP patrol sees us almost every Sunday- and the best paddler in the group goes out daily to practice. The CG used to come by and check us out whenever they saw us in water that was a little bit rougher than normal. Since they've learned that we always wear PFD's, carry flare guns, flares, and VHF radio's and they've seen us practicing, they don't normally stop to see who we are. Occasionally, if it is a little rougher than normal, they will crusie by slowly and look for a "thumbs up" and then continue on their way. I still don't understand why they so cavalierly thought we were fine - unless they realized one of us would have called in an emergency. We don't usually notify anybody about rescue practices for several reasons. 1. We have a protected area outside of the harbor but still behind the breakwater that offers "graduated conditions" Close to the far side of the harbor jetty, the water is flat. As you move further away from it, the wind and waves get increasingly larger. The wind is almost always an onshore wind, so it really is a great place to practice. 2. We have several rescue/law enforcement agencies operating out of this same harbor. We have the Ventura County Sheriff Dep't which operates a boat, the Harbor Patrol, and the Coast Guard has a station there too. *************************************************************************** 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 often find in the winter here in the NE that when the sky clears up and the sun comes out the wind builds quickly. This may seem obvious to sum but others may see the sun breaking and say hay I'll go for a paddle. Yesterday I went out in just such conditions. When I put in around 10AM the sky dark and gray then around noon the sun can up as I was heading back. Within 30 minutes the head wind seemed 20/30 mph. On a funny side note. I had been out on Saturday with some friends white water paddling and the water in the Delaware was very cold. So on Sunday I decided to take out my Romany because A. I haven't used it much and B. The weather was still nice but I didn't feel like getting really wet. For the second reason I chose a small marina near by because the wooden dock makes things easier or so I thought. As I seal launched off the dock the angle wasn't much causing the stern to hang. This would have been alright if I had the paddle in my hands but It was under my arm. I rolled over while the stern was still stuck. Once over it took a second to get paddle set but I was still hung up. I wiggled back and forth while thinking well I guess staying dry wasn't meant to be. I rolled up not even one forward stroke yet (I pushed off the dock) and my head was wet. Knowing myself well I was waring a dry top. JFF > >Not making excuses for the kayakers but it's possible they may have been >>"surprised" by the winds > >Definitely possible--We launched at 10:00 AM yesterday in fierce winds and >were told that the water had been like glass at 0800. -- *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
you said: Not making excuses for the kayakers but it's possible they may have been "surprised" by the winds... -------------- I still have a hard time understanding, or perhaps comprehending, why recreational paddlers venture out without adequate forecast information (unless they are purposely looking for challenging conditions, with due experience). The incident also, in my mind, demonstrates once again the notion that a double kayak is a liability in the hands of untrained paddlers when conditions marginalize or deteriorate beyond skill levels. In this case, it was double jeopardy, with the remaining paddler unable to negotiate the bigger double in order to coordinate rescue. I may be missing something here, however. With the unusual wind activity this fall, things are really churning up around Vancouver Island (lots of fishboats sinking). We have had a few paddle incidents again. The latest one was both fortunate and unfortunate. A sea kayak was found bouncing around off the Victoria (Oak Bay) waterfront in some very nasty conditions (I didn't even go out). A very expensive two day search ensued, until finally the paddler whose kayak had been BLOwN OFF HIS DOCK noticed it missing (alerted by the news report of a drifting kayak the next day). The CG was not impressed, and pleaded with paddlers to put some identification in or on their kayaks or canoes. At least no one was actually missing in this case, though the tone of the news story suggested the Coast Guard wanted to "kill somebody". :-) 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/ ***************************************************************************
Doug, I've heard a little more detail about the 2 kayakers off Malibu, CA. Supposedly, they jumped on this SOT to rescue a boat that had blown off of the beach. This is interesting because there are no rental facilities at Dan Blocker Beach. The "surprise" of the winds might have been that since these were Santa Anna winds they were blowing off shore instead of on. Personally, my feeling is that these guys were not experienced paddlers and just decided to try and enjoy a warm day. There are a number of recreational paddlers who go out not wearing PFD's. The fact that they were in T shirts and shorts sounds like they haven't been to the beach in the winter time. I don't think the water was the 48 degrees that was reported, but even 57 degree water is too cold to swim in without a wet or a dry suit. Although flares are difficult to see during the day, they didn't have any, no VHF, only a cell phone and cell phone reception in that area is spotty. In my opinion, they were totally unprepared for any conditions especially with the winds we have been seeing. Several of us tried to hold a rescue practice this last Sunday and found that it took us over 1/2 hour to paddle 1/2 mile to our practice area. The winds were too strong to keep from blowing us onto the beach or the rocks so we opted to do a paddle inside of the harbor. One of the group had a digital wind meter and it registered 32 knots *inside* the harbor at one point. I "guesstimated" at 30 - 35 before I knew we had a wind meter with us. We all felt we should have gone to a restaurant instead and we are experienced paddlers. Steve Holtzman ----- Original Message ----- From: Doug Lloyd To: Jackie Fenton ; PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net Sent: December 11, 2001 12:50 PM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] kayaker presumed dead at MALIBU, Calif. you said: Not making excuses for the kayakers but it's possible they may have been "surprised" by the winds... -------------- I still have a hard time understanding, or perhaps comprehending, why recreational paddlers venture out without adequate forecast information (unless they are purposely looking for challenging conditions, with due experience). The incident also, in my mind, demonstrates once again the notion that a double kayak is a liability in the hands of untrained paddlers when conditions marginalize or deteriorate beyond skill levels. In this case, it was double jeopardy, with the remaining paddler unable to negotiate the bigger double in order to coordinate rescue. I may be missing something here, however. With the unusual wind activity this fall, things are really churning up around Vancouver Island (lots of fishboats sinking). We have had a few paddle incidents again. The latest one was both fortunate and unfortunate. A sea kayak was found bouncing around off the Victoria (Oak Bay) waterfront in some very nasty conditions (I didn't even go out). A very expensive two day search ensued, until finally the paddler whose kayak had been BLOwN OFF HIS DOCK noticed it missing (alerted by the news report of a drifting kayak the next day). The CG was not impressed, and pleaded with paddlers to put some identification in or on their kayaks or canoes. At least no one was actually missing in this case, though the tone of the news story suggested the Coast Guard wanted to "kill somebody". :-) 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/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Doug, I deeply regret the loss of this person. I think your comment on Tandems is of the greatest importance. When two guys are more or less well matched or one is a strong paddler, doubles are very safe, but I have found it difficult to have a pair of paddlers that can accommodate together, when they are beginners, or one good paddler with a beginner. I think there are some suggestions that could become part of a doubles user manual. 1.- The stronger paddler can sit in the back for better control and to paddle synchronized with the weaker paddler. 2.- In rescues, the stronger paddler should climb in the back seat first and brace while the other guy climbs in the front seat. If the weaker paddler climbs first and doesn´t know how to brace they'll both end up in the water again when the second one is climbing. 3.- If there is only one paddler holding the kayak and the other is adrift, the lonely paddler must climb on the back seat to have better control of the kayak and be able to go and recover his friend. It is hard to control a tandem from the front seat, specially in bad weather. 4.- The rule of thumb: never let the kayak go, no matter what. 5.- It is imperative to have safety lines on Tandems. Sometimes the rounded shape of a plastic kayak edge makes it difficult to grab it in turbulent waters. I hope this helps a little. Rafael el cayuco chief www.mayanseas.com At 12:50 p.m. 11/12/01 -0800, Doug Lloyd wrote: >you said: >Not making excuses for the kayakers but it's possible they may have been > >"surprised" by the winds... >-------------- >I still have a hard time understanding, or perhaps comprehending, why >recreational paddlers venture out without adequate forecast information >(unless they are purposely looking for challenging conditions, with due >experience). The incident also, in my mind, demonstrates once again the >notion that a double kayak is a liability in the hands of untrained >paddlers when conditions marginalize or deteriorate beyond skill levels. >In this case, it was double jeopardy, with the remaining paddler unable >to negotiate the bigger double in order to coordinate rescue. I may be >missing something here, however. > >With the unusual wind activity this fall, things are really churning up >around Vancouver Island (lots of fishboats sinking). We have had a few >paddle incidents again. The latest one was both fortunate and >unfortunate. A sea kayak was found bouncing around off the Victoria (Oak >Bay) waterfront in some very nasty conditions (I didn't even go out). A >very expensive two day search ensued, until finally the paddler whose >kayak had been BLOwN OFF HIS DOCK noticed it missing (alerted by the >news report of a drifting kayak the next day). The CG was not impressed, >and pleaded with paddlers to put some identification in or on their >kayaks or canoes. At least no one was actually missing in this case, >though the tone of the news story suggested the Coast Guard wanted to >"kill somebody". :-) > >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/ >*************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Subject: Recent Pacific Storms > > > > Doug, how about sharing some of those URLs for the Oregon surf cams, for > > those of us too lazy to use a search engine? > > this'll get you going. I can zap you some others from work. www.oregonsurfpage.com www.oregonsurfcheck.com http://nwprtsrf.oce.orst.edu:8080/nwprtsrf/surf.html steve *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Thanks, Rafael, I would like to pass on your suggestions to some beginning kayaker friends. Do the same rules apply for sit-on-top and cockpit kayaks? Marinell > > I think there are some suggestions that could become part of a doubles user > manual. > > 1.- The stronger paddler can sit in the back for better control and to > paddle synchronized with the weaker paddler. > 2.- In rescues, the stronger paddler should climb in the back seat first > and brace while the other guy climbs in the front seat. If the weaker > paddler climbs first and doesn´t know how to brace they'll both end up in > the water again when the second one is climbing. > 3.- If there is only one paddler holding the kayak and the other is adrift, > the lonely paddler must climb on the back seat to have better control of > the kayak and be able to go and recover his friend. It is hard to control a > tandem from the front seat, specially in bad weather. > 4.- The rule of thumb: never let the kayak go, no matter what. > 5.- It is imperative to have safety lines on Tandems. Sometimes the rounded > shape of a plastic kayak edge makes it difficult to grab it in turbulent > waters. > > I hope this helps a little. > > Rafael > el cayuco chief > www.mayanseas.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/ ***************************************************************************
Please go ahead. I think they apply for both SOT and cockpit Best Regards, Rafael el cayuco chief www.mayanseas.com At 12:05 p.m. 12/12/01 -0500, Marinell wrote: >Thanks, Rafael, > >I would like to pass on your suggestions to some beginning kayaker friends. >Do the same rules apply for sit-on-top and cockpit kayaks? > >Marinell > > > > I think there are some suggestions that could become part of a doubles >user > > manual. > > > > 1.- The stronger paddler can sit in the back for better control and to > > paddle synchronized with the weaker paddler. > > 2.- In rescues, the stronger paddler should climb in the back seat first > > and brace while the other guy climbs in the front seat. If the weaker > > paddler climbs first and doesn´t know how to brace they'll both end up in > > the water again when the second one is climbing. > > 3.- If there is only one paddler holding the kayak and the other is >adrift, > > the lonely paddler must climb on the back seat to have better control of > > the kayak and be able to go and recover his friend. It is hard to control >a > > tandem from the front seat, specially in bad weather. > > 4.- The rule of thumb: never let the kayak go, no matter what. > > 5.- It is imperative to have safety lines on Tandems. Sometimes the >rounded > > shape of a plastic kayak edge makes it difficult to grab it in turbulent > > waters. > > > > I hope this helps a little. > > > > Rafael > > el cayuco chief > > www.mayanseas.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/ >*************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
As part of five points ever double paddler should know Raphael wrote this one: > 3.- If there is only one paddler holding the kayak and the other is adrift, > the lonely paddler must climb on the back seat to have better control of > the kayak and be able to go and recover his friend. It is hard to control a > tandem from the front seat, specially in bad weather. I agree with the other 4 points but think this one needs to be modified some as I don't think it holds true in several cases, including the most likely "accidentally solo" one (such as the one that resulted in this thread). I suggest (for your modification and editing): 3. If a paddler must paddle solo in a double kayak it is generally preferable to be in the cockpit that has the rudder controls (usually the stern). However, if the paddler must make headway into a strong wind (such as to retrieve the partner that your previously two-person kayak has blown away from) the paddler should immediately paddle whichever end of the kayak they are in directly back upwind towards the swimmer (rather than trying to turn the kayak around). If they were formerly in the same kayak, the swimmer will be upwind because the kayak will have blown down wind much faster than the swimmer can even swim while trying to catch the boat. Also the end of the kayak the now solo paddler is in will most likely be pointed into the wind because the lighter end of the now unbalanced tandem kayak will weathervane back. The odds are small that a solo paddler will be able to turn a tandem kayak around anyhow, and during the time wasted trying they will be blown much further away from the swimmer. Even if the swimmer can still be spotted in the waves at this increased distance, it will be far harder to get back to them over that now much greater distance. This means, if you are seated in the rear cockpit, immediately paddle backwards (lifting the rudder clear of the water if it can't be held from flopping over to one side). If you find yourself in the bow cockpit paddle forwards (rather than trying to switch cockpits to the rudder control position. Notes: The rudder will not help much for turning a long light bow up into a strong wind. If the rudder flops to one side while backing up into a wind, stop paddling but hold that flopped over rudder position until you begin drifting downwind . Once moving downwind again, straighten the rudder and lift it out of the water so it can no longer be forced over to one side. Practice paddling a kayak backwards at a fast speed. If the rudder can flop over nearly 90 degrees it can be used as a stern brake that may even help point the drifting kayak's stern into the wind more). Very few sea kayakers are good at going backwards (but most river kayakers are--"Is that a waterfall just ahead"). Tip for powerful back strokes: dig deep, and stroke hard, right next to the kayak. Push directly in line with your forearm and pull the upper hand back while using lots of torso rotation. Only reach out away from the side of the kayak if you must correct course (to turn to the opposite side of the stroke you are taking). Rather than "now solo paddler", above, maybe it should read: "recently divorced tandem paddler... ...who got the boat" ;-) Matt Broze http://www.marinerkayaks.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/ ***************************************************************************
Matt, I agree with your deeper analysis of the solo paddler in a double. I rewrite my suggestions, adding your comments, in the following fashion: 1.- The stronger paddler can sit in the back for better control and to paddle synchronized with the weaker paddler. 2.- In rescues, the stronger paddler should climb in the back seat first and brace while the other guy climbs in the front seat. If the weaker paddler climbs first and doesn´t know how to brace they'll both end up in the water again when the second one is climbing. 3.- If there is only one paddler holding the kayak and the other is adrift, the lonely paddler must climb on the back seat ( or on the seat where rudder controls maybe) to have better control of the kayak and be able to go and recover his friend. If weather is bad it may be difficult to turn the boat, so it may be better to paddle backwards to reach the swimmer faster. 4.- If the rudder does not permit to paddle backwards it must be lifted. 5.- The rule of thumb: never let the kayak go, no matter what. 6.- It is imperative to have safety lines on Tandems. Sometimes the rounded shape of a plastic kayak edge makes it difficult to grab it in turbulent waters. Best Regards, Rafael el cayuco cheif www.mayanseas.com At 07:57 p.m. 12/12/01 -0800, Matt Broze wrote: >As part of five points ever double paddler should know Raphael wrote this >one: > > > 3.- If there is only one paddler holding the kayak and the other is >adrift, > > the lonely paddler must climb on the back seat to have better control of > > the kayak and be able to go and recover his friend. It is hard to control >a > > tandem from the front seat, specially in bad weather. > >I agree with the other 4 points but think this one needs to be modified some >as I don't think it holds true in several cases, including the most likely >"accidentally solo" one (such as the one that resulted in this thread). > >I suggest (for your modification and editing): > >3. If a paddler must paddle solo in a double kayak it is generally >preferable to be in the cockpit that has the rudder controls (usually the >stern). However, if the paddler must make headway into a strong wind (such >as to retrieve the partner that your previously two-person kayak has blown >away from) the paddler should immediately paddle whichever end of the kayak >they are in directly back upwind towards the swimmer (rather than trying to >turn the kayak around). If they were formerly in the same kayak, the swimmer >will be upwind because the kayak will have blown down wind much faster than >the swimmer can even swim while trying to catch the boat. Also the end of >the kayak the now solo paddler is in will most likely be pointed into the >wind because the lighter end of the now unbalanced tandem kayak will >weathervane back. The odds are small that a solo paddler will be able to >turn a tandem kayak around anyhow, and during the time wasted trying they >will be blown much further away from the swimmer. Even if the swimmer can >still be spotted in the waves at this increased distance, it will be far >harder to get back to them over that now much greater distance. This means, >if you are seated in the rear cockpit, immediately paddle backwards (lifting >the rudder clear of the water if it can't be held from flopping over to one >side). If you find yourself in the bow cockpit paddle forwards (rather than >trying to switch cockpits to the rudder control position. > >Notes: >The rudder will not help much for turning a long light bow up into a strong >wind. >If the rudder flops to one side while backing up into a wind, stop paddling >but hold that flopped over rudder position until you begin drifting downwind >. Once moving downwind again, straighten the rudder and lift it out of the >water so it can no longer be forced over to one side. >Practice paddling a kayak backwards at a fast speed. If the rudder can flop >over nearly 90 degrees it can be used as a stern brake that may even help >point the drifting kayak's stern into the wind more). Very few sea kayakers >are good at going backwards (but most river kayakers are--"Is that a >waterfall just ahead"). Tip for powerful back strokes: dig deep, and stroke >hard, right next to the kayak. Push directly in line with your forearm and >pull the upper hand back while using lots of torso rotation. Only reach out >away from the side of the kayak if you must correct course (to turn to the >opposite side of the stroke you are taking). > >Rather than "now solo paddler", above, maybe it should read: "recently >divorced tandem paddler... >...who got the boat" ;-) > >Matt Broze >http://www.marinerkayaks.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/ >*************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** 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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