[Paddlewise] Kayaker Nearly Dies

Kayakers,

There is an article in today's local paper, the Orange County Register,
about a guy rescued off Newport Beach, California after spending 2 hours in
the water and nearly dying. He tipped over 3 miles offshore and apparently
couldn't get back in the kayak because his denim pants, T-shirt, sweater and
jacket weighted him down. It sounds like he didn't have a pump, because he
said he couldn't splash the 59 degree F. water out of his sinking kayak
faster than it was coming in. He didn't have a life jacket either. He
decided to make a swim for shore with two cushions under his arms. The guy
used to live at Catalina and had crossed the channel 14 times. On the day he
was rescued, he was training for another crossing. It was his first time to
tip over. The paper called him an avid kayaker. I would strongly disagree!
Charlie Negus, 71, is a very lucky, absolute beginning kayaker and an
embarrassment to the sport.

Duane Strosaker
www.rollordrown.com
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