Re: [Paddlewise] Outrigger Canoe Deaths

On Sat, 27 Mar 2004 08:32:19 -0800, "P Martin"
<Captainkayak_at_earthlink.net> said:

> The newspaper reported that these guys had been paddling as a team for
> several
> years.  They frequently had paddled their boat to oil platform Gina three
> miles off shore.  Apparently they regarded PFDs and safety equipment as
> unnecessarily burdensome for paddlers with their experience, skill and
> stamina. 

I occaisionally paddle with a local outrigger team, out of Beverly
Massachusetts.  Not wearing PFDs appears to be a "cultural" thing.  When
I did my an outrigger race last year I believe I was the only person in
any of the 6 man outrigger canoes who was wearing a PFD.  

Each outrigger canoe is required to have PFDs aboard but they are
normally the horrible orange horse collar PFDs, the PFDs are usually
jammed under each seat.  I expect they are all adult mediums.  I expect
the only time they come out from under the seats is when the boats are
trailered.

Prior to an early season, 50 degree water, flip last year the local team
normally paddled
without wetsuits.  After that wake up the team captain required wetsuits,
for early/late season paddling, at his wife's insistance (she was one of
those swimming).

>From my point of view, personal safety equipment isn't something that is
in the "culture" of the big outrigger canoes, thus far.  Each boat did
have a stern light for coming in at dusk, and a vhf radio.

Kirk
-- 
  Kirk Olsen
  kork4_at_cluemail.com
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