Re: [Paddlewise] Not Finally

From: Doug Lloyd <dalloyd_at_telus.net>
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2003 14:42:20 -0700
Chuck asked (snip):
> Are those shark fins in the water below him? ;-)
> http://www.surfingvancouverisland.com/surf/photo01.htm

Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC

Nah, just weird kelp shapes, though my brother in law said the
aforementioned web site does show a pic of a Santa Cruz surfer dude with the
outline of a shark in the body of the wave. I've surfed with sea lions
before, both small and biggn's, and I'd rather be in my kayak that hanging
onto a board. Ditto that with sharks too. But hey, aggressive locals are way
more dangerous.

And, it's also kind of weird having board surfers in the extended family
now, see'n as how they don't like us kayakers and all in general. Actually,
I'll be doing some surfing this winter out of Port Renfrew with my sister's
hubby, cause it'll be cheaper to share transportation/ gas costs. Guess
he'll have to introduce me to his boarder buddies and assign me a part of
the break away from them for me and me kayak (I like the outer breaks
anyway, which aren't always the most desirable for 80% of most board
surfers.

Well, I should have gone surfing the other day and/or paddling in the gale.
As it turned out, the wind gusted to 50 knots at times Sunday, so the East
Sooke Park run would have made good fodder for a Paddlewise story I'm sure.
Though that may have just been a bit too intense for me at this point in my
fitness levels and goals for rough-water training.

I say I should have gone, because I may not be paddling for awhile. I
suffered multiple lacerations to my right hand Monday morning, prepping my
yard for sewer lines (was claw-hammering off some joist metal plates off
some old wood 2X6 (you know, the kind with multitudinous "Shark-fin" shaped
barbs that grip the wood and are not meant to be removed). I slipped coming
down with full hammering force, slicing through to the bone in three
parallel laceration lines across all my fingers. The most fun was trying to
get through the ER department on a Holiday. I had the tendon sutures done
last night finally, opting for the local anaesthetic over the general (more
fun as I get to talk to the doctors who I pay as part of my adjudication job
for the government). Glad I have lots of Codeine.

Part of the reason I backed out of paddling this weekend is/was I'm sick and
tired of fogged-up, water-droplet obscured glasses. As one edges closer to
danger line, little things like being able to see rocks and logs and
impending rogue waves become extremely important. I was very encouraged by
an article in the recent Sea Kayaker magazine regarding eyewear for
paddlers. It had some very good, practical suggestions that I will be
following up with, including using disposable contacts just for rough-water
work. Though I enjoy a number of paddling publications, SK still delivers
the deep goods.

There was also an informative article by Roger on breathing techniques for
extended "down" time that I found useful, and fit in with some current
developments I'm working on with respect to my own need for deep breathing,
life-calming exercises. Funnily enough, I was going to bring up both these
issues on Paddlewise last month (eyewear and breathing routines) but thought
them  a little too prosaic and not of sufficient interest to the rest of you
paddlers - and here the issues shows up in a major publication.

Anyway, my good left hand is getting tired, so by for awhile. Safe paddling
to all.

Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC


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Received on Thu Oct 16 2003 - 14:19:06 PDT

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