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From: Warner Family <hmgwarner_at_shaw.ca>
subject: [Paddlewise] Smoke on the Water
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2003 10:03:06 -0800
The "kayaker," and I use the term very loosely, that was 
apprehended/rescued off of Victoria last week with a boat full of BC Bud 
had $120,000 worth of pot stashed in his kayak.

Should he be convicted perhaps as part of his probation he could lead 
seminars at next years kayak symposiums on how to pack a kayak.

He also had some sort of motor attached to his boat.  I wonder if it was 
that electric motor that appears in the ad section of popular kayak 
mags.  If so I suppose the developer won't be asking him for an endorsement.

Gordin
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From: Robert MacDonald <RMacDonald_at_udl.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Smoke on the Water
Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2003 08:52:29 -0800
Doug wrote:

"someone finally figured out the washed-ashore PWC operator was the kayak owner and was
indeed likely smuggling pot across Haro Strait at night in his kayak"

These guys were IMPORTING marijuana to British Columbia?  How much of it had they been smoking, anyway?

Rob.
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From: <Niilus_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Smoke on the Water
Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2003 12:03:14 EST
In a message dated 11/6/2003 8:54:27 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
RMacDonald_at_udl.com writes:


> These guys were IMPORTING marijuana to British Columbia?  How much of it 
> had they been smoking, anyway?
> 
Sort of like taking coal to Newcastle.

<A HREF="http://home.netscape.com/redir.adp?_dci_url=http%3a%2f%2fmoney%2enetscape%2ecnn%2ecom%2fdefault%2ejsp&_wps_s=mb%5fhlm1%5fu%5f1">Canada's  New Cash  Crop Is Pot</A>
<A HREF="http://home.netscape.com/redir.adp?_dci_url=http%3a%2f%2fmoney%2enetscape%2ecnn%2ecom%2fdefault%2ejsp&_wps_s=mb%5fhlm1%5fu%5f1">Thousands of high-tech marijuana farms supply the legal--and illegal--market 
in the U.S.</A>

Tony Niilus
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From: Doug Lloyd <dalloyd_at_telus.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Smoke on the Water
Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2003 23:55:53 -0800
Rod said:

>>>Doug wrote: "someone finally figured out the washed-ashore PWC operator
was the kayak owner and was indeed likely smuggling pot across Haro Strait
at night in his kayak"<<<

>>These guys were IMPORTING marijuana to British Columbia?  How much of it
had they been smoking, anyway?<<

Yeah, the other way - Victoria to Washington State, across Haro the cops
figure). They obviously got into trouble somewhere. There was a big ebb, so
perhaps the two washed south during their crossing, then met further
difficulty near Ten Mile Point. The police have arrested the one American
(from San Fran.), and are looking for the other. It was definitely
high-quality, genuine BC bud, hyroponically grown, probably on the Saanich
Peninsula to the north. In Canada, we have always exported most of our
highest quality raw materials - you know Rob.

I was going to drop by the jail after work to check out directly what
transpired (navigation wise), but would immediately raise suspicion with the
authorities I'm sure, and then I'd possibly be tarnished for future Haro
Strait crossing, though I could probably make a good second career out of
it, night paddling in storms, when no one would be on the lookout for
paddlers.

I just picked up a NightRider Extreme helmet-mount  lighting system, so once
I heal up, I have a date with the next night storm. Something to look
forward to.

Doug Lloyd (who never inhaled the stuff either)
Victoria BC
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From: lenze <lenze_at_havkajakcenter.dk>
subject: [Paddlewise] SV: Smoke on the Water
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2003 09:27:50 +0100
<< It was definitely
high-quality, genuine BC bud, hyroponically grown, probably on the Saanich
Peninsula to the north. In Canada, we have always exported most of our
highest quality raw materials - you know Rob.

Doug Lloyd (who never inhaled the stuff either)
Victoria BC>>


And there I thought that all paddlers (unlike climbers) were clean cut
college kids. Live is full of disapointments !

Lenze (Dutch paddler living in Denmark)


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From: <Rcgibbert_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Smoke on the Water
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2003 13:01:14 EST
In a message dated 11/7/2003 1:58:02 AM Central Standard Time, 
dalloyd_at_telus.net writes:


> I just picked up a NightRider Extreme helmet-mount  lighting system, so 
> once
> I heal up, I have a date with the next night storm. Something to look
> forward to.
> 
> 
Hi Doug, 

when you get the chance to run it through the wringer, can you report on 
this? I've been evaluating my night paddling options and am making changes so any 
feedback you have would be appreciated.

Rob G
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From: Strosaker <strosaker_at_cox.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] Lights
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2003 13:46:43 -0800
Paddlewisers,

Maybe it is just a carryover from my frequent night training as a
paratrooper, but I actually prefer to paddle at night without utilizing
lights. Some nights are so dark you have to use them, but that is usaully
not the case. My main problem with lights is that they screw up my eyes
getting use to seeing in the dark. With a light on, about all I can see is
where the beam of light is focused. Generally, I prefer to have a wider
field of vision than using lights allows. Also, it makes me a bit sea sick
(don't get sea sick in a kayak any other time) seeing other people's lights
going up and down in the swells. As a result, I am reluctant to allow people
in my groups to use lights in the ocean at night. When we have used lights,
we paddled in a side by side line (hard to control) to avoid seeing each
other's lights. If we are navigating with a compass, only the navigator at
that time has a light on the compass.

It's cool being stealthy too.

The only night light I carry in the ocean is usually just a little, one AA
cell, waterproof, LED light. However, I suppose that if I had to (would more
than likely avoid) make a nasty landing in and around some rocks with lots
of surf at night, having a powerful headlamp for backup would be nice. In
dark sea caves, I use a medium powered headlamp (which is just about
useless), a powerful dive light thethered to the front deck and easily
removable for spotting by hand, and a light stick taped to the top of my
helmet.

Duane Strosaker
Southern California
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From: Doug Lloyd <dalloyd_at_telus.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Smoke on the Water
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2003 17:34:52 -0800
Rob said:
>>>Hi Doug, when you get the chance to run it through the wringer, can you
report on this? I've been evaluating my night paddling options and am making
changes so any feedback you have would be appreciated.<<<

We discusses some of this once before on PW. I found that in rough water
conditions, light would bounce back in your eyes, making it difficult to see
waves/obstructions, etc. However, I still require a more powerful source of
light for finding my way back in terms of being able to see shoreline details
(given that one gets blown about a fair bit and disoriented at times). The
PrincetonTec Vor Tec (4 AA's) I bought for my last night storm paddle was
okay, fully submersible, self-contained, but didn't have the punch into the
darkness I wanted for searching out details. The NightRider lights are
digital, with various options, including strobe, etc. They used to advertise
them as submersible, but backed off the claim on all but the high-end models
now. The high end units are 40 watts, with blue-light, just like the expensive
cars run. Nice, but out of my price range these days.

Still don't have any real grip strength in my hand, so it will be a while
before storm paddling. I built a shed recently for my bikes, but used a
drill-driver and deck screws for the construction. Way overkill, but hurricane
proof and the drill was easier than hammering.

I'll be trying some regular paddling soon - as in calm water paddling, which
is about as much fun as changing the Kitty Litter for me this time of year
:-)

Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC
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From: Pringle, Jeffrey D [IT] <jeffrey.d.pringle_at_citigroup.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Smoke on the Water
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2003 11:08:59 -0500
 The NightRider lights are
digital, with various options, including strobe, etc. 
Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC


I am a newbie and was wondering why someone would want a strobe-light for
paddling? I saw a model out there that had 5 functions or settings: a
fast-strobe and a slow-strobe function plus three levels of continuous beams
that had three different levels of light intensity. I understand the levels
of light intensity in that it would allow your battery-life to be extended
before having to replace them but I don't understand the practicality of the
strobe. Can you enlighten (pun intended) us?

Jeff
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From: Carey Parks <cparks_at_fuse.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Smoke on the Water
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2003 13:22:26 -0500
[Moderator's Note: Content unaltered. Excessive quoting (including  
headers/footers/sig lines/extraneous text from previous posts, etc.) 
have been removed. Please edit quoted material in addition to removing 
header/trailers when replying to posts.]

> Pringle, Jeffrey D pondered
> 
> I am a newbie and was wondering why someone would want a strobe-light for
> paddling? 

Hi Jeffery,

I'm sure you will hear from others too, but for me (and the USCG), strobes
are rescue locators. I believe it's illegal to operate a white strobe if you
are NOT looking to be rescued.  However, I'd feel free to use one
(temporarilly) to avoid the need to be rescued - as in when larger boat
traffic heading your way may not see you. I'd turn on all the lights I had
including the flashlight I have in the cockpit at night in an attempt to be
seen.

Cheers,

Carey
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From: WhiteRabbit <whiterabbit_0117_at_charter.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Smoke on the Water
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2003 12:21:21 -0600
[Moderator's Note: Content unaltered. Excessive quoting (including  
headers/footers/sig lines/extraneous text from previous posts, etc.) 
have been removed. Please edit quoted material in addition to removing 
header/trailers when replying to posts.]

> Jeff Pringle asked.
> I'm a newbie to paddling.... I understand the levels
> of light intensity in that it would allow your battery-life to be extended
> before having to replace them but I don't understand the practicality of the
> strobe. Can you enlighten (pun intended) us?

In inland waterways of the US a strobe is a distress signal.  By having it
on your headlamp you always have it with you.
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From: Doug Lloyd <dalloyd_at_telus.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Smoke on the Water
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2003 10:59:24 -0800
Jeff said:
>>I am a newbie and was wondering why someone would want a strobe-light for
paddling? I saw a model out there that had 5 functions or settings: a
fast-strobe and a slow-strobe function plus three levels of continuous beams
that had three different levels of light intensity. I understand the levels
of light intensity in that it would allow your battery-life to be extended
before having to replace them but I don't understand the practicality of the
strobe. Can you enlighten (pun intended) us?<<


Depending on whether your were operating your vessel in inland water as
opposed to coastal/offshore waters, a strobe is to be used as a distress
beacon or, respectively, simply as a method to show your presence on the
water (though it isn't 360-visible light). I'd check with he inland
paddlers, as I'm not up-to-date on the rules with respect to strobe use
there. Navigation and international laws, etc., aside, the strobe would
definitely extend the range of the battery, while giving flashes of full
illumination (for announcing your presence in the kayak), as opposed to
running the settings at lower wattage (which still extend battery life, but
doesn't give the same brightness). The unit I have also has a S.O.S setting,
and a cycling-flash (bit longer than a strobe, for finding your way in the
dark without burning up the battery apparently). I got mine second-hand, so
I think some of the options are maybe a bit different now, but I'm not sure.
It was $100.00 Cnd, which wasn't too bad.

Like Duane said, most of this bright light stuff degrades night-time vision.

Back to strobe used for emergencies: Many paddlers carry a strobe-only
device for signalling. They usually give off bright light visible for many
mile in all directions. A common place to lash them to, is the back top
strap on your PFD. I'm sure you will encounter paddlers wearing these things
as you progress in the sport. I didn't buy my new-to-me NightRider
specifically for the strobe, not for paddling anyway. I'll be using it for
winter riding on my bicycle. I have a 10-watt under the handlebars, and the
15 watt (under discussion) will be on my helmet when I start riding again
this week. The strobe works well in city traffic for getting a driver's
attention (as most are brain-dead after work, interior glass fogged up,
etc., etc.).

BTW, I got a new and very loud air horn for my bike. I finally had a chance
to use it this summer after 20 years of near-misses and nothing to do but
scream or ring my little bell. Well, by the time I swerved around the front
end of this lady's car (she was pulling out of a parking lot onto a one-way
street), narrowly missed another car in the lane beside me, and got back to
a perpendicular plane, I never even had a chance to hit the handle-mounted
switch to activate the air horn. I mention this in relationship to the other
thread on Polar Bears. You can draw the inferences.

Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC
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From: alex <al.m_at_3web.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Smoke on the Water
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2003 17:40:10 -0800
Better visibility (than continuous beam) is the reason.  But, like guys have
already said, it is normally not allowed to use except as a distress signal
(another reason to have it) .
Btw, I'm not sure that strobe will extend the battery life - emitting time
is shorter, but breaker circuit might consume additional power (I've seen
that in some old incandescent bulb strobe). LED could be different, I don't
know.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Pringle, Jeffrey D [IT]" <jeffrey.d.pringle_at_citigroup.com>
To: "Pringle, Jeffrey D [IT]" <jeffrey.d.pringle_at_citigroup.com>; "'Doug
Lloyd'" <dalloyd_at_telus.net>; <Rcgibbert_at_aol.com>
Cc: <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: November 10, 2003 8:08 AM
Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Smoke on the Water


> The NightRider lights are
> digital, with various options, including strobe, etc.
> Doug Lloyd
> Victoria BC
>
>
> I am a newbie and was wondering why someone would want a strobe-light for
> paddling? I saw a model out there that had 5 functions or settings: a
> fast-strobe and a slow-strobe function plus three levels of continuous
beams
> that had three different levels of light intensity. I understand the
levels
> of light intensity in that it would allow your battery-life to be extended
> before having to replace them but I don't understand the practicality of
the
> strobe.
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