Re: [Paddlewise] Victoria Incident (was Michigan Kayaker dies...)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Lloyd" <dougl_at_islandnet.com>


And even more snips.....

As someone who is very active in one of our local clubs and who organizes a
fair number of both club hosted and non-club hosted paddles, I think your
facilitator needs to learn to be more rude.

We have told paddlers that their skill levels were not up to the trip they
wanted to take and that they weren't welcome on it.

We don't ever do an "everyman or woman for themselves thing"  BUT tow lines
have been known to come out and get clipped onto a boat that is holding up
the entire group. We usually tell the errent paddler that we are giving them
a "boost" and that they should not come out to this type trip until their
skills are better.

> I kind of side with Scott in that no one should be told that they have to
wear
> certain gear, but it can be difficult getting larger folks back into their
kayak
> after a capsize, and that is why I mentioned the weight factor - not to be
rude.

I agree with Scott that he has the right not to wear a PFD. But Scott also
knows that when he is paddling with our group that we require a PFD to be
worn and he respects that. On a non-hosted trip--no problem especially when
you know the skill level of all of the others. On club trips where there is
a lot more legal liability, save me from having to deal with the bottom
feeders in a law suit and at least wear the PFD.

I am also midrift challenged and have about 30 lb too much around my middle.
That does not interfere with my being able to do a self rescue or an
assisted rescue. Maybe the gentlemen in question should be encouraged (tie
his hands and feet and bring him kicking and screaming) to attend some "wet
session" pratice days.

After having a beginner on a SOT go into a complete panic when he capsized
(he seemed competent enough at first), we have been talking about having
paddlers demonstrate a self rescue and/or assisted rescue if the club host
hasn't seen them paddle before.


> > I believe this situation was exasperated by past behavior.  On past
trips
> > Fat Boy has dropped so far behind that he's caused the sweep (myself) to
> > paddle in endless circles just to keep him in front of me.  I've seen
him
> > paddle a crossing in such a way that caused a BC ferry  to alter it's
> > course  to avoid running him down.  I've seen him drop out of group
paddles
> > to take pictures without letting anyone know what he was doing.  The one
> > piece of equipment he can always be counted on to wear is his radio.
Not
> > VHF but AM so he can listen to the CBC.

After one trip like this, I would spell out the"rules" to him--after the
2nd, I'd refund his club membership and tell him he wasn't welcome to paddle
on this level of a trip with us until his skills improved.


> > Did Fat Boy try to call out for help?  Did he use a whistle or bang on
his
> > hull?  I don't know, but I'd be surprised if he had the fore thought to
do
> > so.  These Sunday paddles always include some sort of rescue practice
> > either rolls, Eskimo rescues off a bow, bracing practices or sometimes
> > towing.  Fat Boy never participated in these exercises but has told me
he
> > could roll and do a self rescue.

I know of one person who calls it a roll when he starts off with his head
above water and then "rolls" 180 degrees so that his head is under water. I
call that a capsize. ;-)

> I take
> nothing at face value anymore, nor do I expect other paddlers to not
question me
> about skills, previous to a trip, and perhaps want to go on a test paddle.
>

Great attitude


> > And finally to answer Scott's question.  Yes.  In these waters if you
have
> > the safety equipment take it with you, wear it and know how to use it.

Scott does too--Sometimes he likes to stir the pot a bit.
>

***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************