[Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace long post

Gordin, your ALIVE! Electronically speaking that is. Wondering where you've
been cyber-space wise. Anyway, I'll respond to the salient points below, and
those not interested can delete/skip.

You said:
>If Doug Lloyd was a woman and if this was 50 years ago, he'd be a gossip.
;-)  Want the world to know something just tell Doug.<

My life-purpose is to get the news out to those interested. Call it gossip
if you want. Most folks try to cover up/keep quiet some of their more
interesting kayaking experiences. So, if you don't want something broadcast,
paddlers need to tell me that upfront, or it's fair game. I don't plan on
changing

>I've only had limited access to a computer for the past couple of months so
I wasn't able to post an account of the event that Doug described.  I did
however tell him of the events during an afternoon phone call when he should
have been working.<

I was working while talking (it must be the female side of my brain that
lets me multi-task), but I don't always get every detail exact (unless
someone is paying me good money to report exactly). I don't plan on
changing.

>Doug got most of the story correct.  However the incident occurred at
Possession Point which juts out into Juan de Fuca Strait<

Okay, I freely admit I got the wrong coordinates. Now it makes much more
sense. I thought you were talking about "Cabin Point." Too bad I didn't
listen more carefully or queried the events you described which were
definitely out of sync for points further south. I'm amazed even more now,
that no one got hurt.

>Bill is a very experienced seaman having grown up on and around boats his
entire life.  He's been kayaking for two to three years and in that time
I've learned more about seamanship from him then any kayaker that I've
paddled with.<

I know what you mean. I'm especially enamoured with sailors who convert to
paddling. They have such a savvy seamanship, more so than perhaps motorboat
operators. BTW, my recounting of the story to the best of my recollection at
the time, left out names and certain specifics, so I think you are kind of
being hard on me.

>I paddled in far enough to see the pinnacle flooded by the swell and then
dry as the water was sucked back out.  Perhaps some one of Doug's ability,
and with a total disregard for their boat, could have timed it just right to
clear the pinnacle before they came crashing down on the point and all
those barnacles.  Otherwise,  Bill was absolutely right - and I backed out
as well.<

Plastic, plastic, plastic. Lot's of guys with good skill sets would tackle
this type of situation in a plastic kayak with helmet. Did you guys have
helmets? I run this area all the time in heavy seas, even been pinned down
for long durations in gusting winds. I can't imagine life out here without a
helmet, though I did get throw over a rock once without my helmet (but never
tried that again).

>I've given a lot of thought as to why he tried the cut.   Partially I think
it was cultural.  He comes from a certain part of Europe that is well known
for turning out single minded people who can be very stubborn .<

Like I said. I kept it fairly general and don't feel I betrayed any
significant trust.

>This is where Doug is absolutely wrong.  No one hesitated ..."not wanting
to hurt themselves,."  That's crap.  Within seconds we assessed the
situation.  Our friend was upside down on the other side of the rock.<

I'd have sworn on a stack of bibles that you took time to assess the
situation while the paddler in question managed on his own to get back in.
When I do paid reportage, I record every word on a specialized phone
recorder. Again, a very strong reaction from you. Anyway, I'd sure hesitate
to evaluate the situation. I was talking seconds, not minutes anyway, and I
meant to reinforce the notion that no one followed in immediately behind the
paddler.

I missed that too. I though he got back in on his own. Does that all really
matter anyway? I was giving a quick account from recollection that
illustrated the effectiveness of the T-Rescue, that was all. Do you think
other PW'ers give a hoot about the exact details? Maybe they do.

>Doug goes on with his account. "...The area is the same setting where some
of these paddlers got into trouble last year (minus inexperienced paddlers
for the most part) and decided to abandon their kayaks, opting to walk out
on the rough local trail (some returning to paddle out later in the week,
and some portaging their kayaks out  later)....Linking the incident of two
weeks ago with the events of a year ago is the type of irresponsible
recounting of events that in the past has cost Doug
the respect of people here in Victoria.  Doug you should be more careful.<

Just a little sensitive here, aren't we? There was nothing irresponsible
intended here a all. I was just re-emphasizing the point about how
precarious paddling can be out there. Sorry if you miss-interpreted that.
BTW, the only significant respect-loosing tale I've told had to do with the
Irwin brothers trip to Alaska and back, which I already apologized for out
of respect for the significant undertaking these two gentlemen accomplished.
Those who know the whole story already made up their own private opinions
about their trip. As for what Victorians think of Doug Lloyd, I could care
less. I almost hardly care what my wife thinks about me and paddling and
such. Respectfully though, I backed out of all pedagogical activities,
freeing me to pursue my version of the sport as I see fit. I don't plan on
changing.

>But we listened to the cautious voice and stayed ashore...To me that's not
trouble that's wisdom.  I knew a year ago that I could paddle around that
headland and back to the put in.  In fact I did it the
next day in worst conditions and alone.  But I swallowed my pride and
listened to the guy who didn't want to.  Not doing so would have led to
trouble.<

Yes, this displays some excellent attributes on the part of the paddlers in
question. Did I not post that you guys were skilled, caring paddlers? I'm
still struggling with the tone of your e-mail, however.

>Doug Lloyd is a far better paddler then I'll ever be.  I admire his skill,
his tenacity and his faith.  I sometimes half jokingly refer to myself as a
DL in training.  I believe the basic kayaking skills can be learned by
almost anyone.  It's the leadership, communication, and judgement skills
that keep tripping me up.  Well ok, I still suck in the surf and my off side
roll is well off side, but I'll get them long before I exhaust everything
there is to learn about L.C. and J.<

Well Gordin, I realize I'm an odd duck. Who else would show up for a night
paddle in a an upgraded gale warning, realize a no-show, and then go off
night paddling in said gale? This latest dust-up on Paddlewise makes me
realize anew my primary commitment to solo paddling. I've come full circle
now with Victoria paddlers. I've paddled with some of the best, and been
disappointed time and time again, and had my life put at greater risk being
relegated to the team being only as strong as the weakest member. I wouldn't
mind that, if the paddlers in question had been more honest about their
perspective. I've sent a note to the paddletrip coordinator to take my name
off the list. I think it fair to say I've had it with everyone. I'll wave to
you out in the waves however. I'm not a malicious person, but I do prefer my
own company. I won't change that again.

Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC

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"Whatever can be said at all can be said clearly and whatever cannot be said
clearly should not be said at all."
Ludwig Wittgenstein
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