I've volunteered to provide kayak support for an open water swimming race at Fernandina Beach, Florida. Don't know too much about the event yet. Paddlewise has been used to recruit safety boaters before, but I can't recall many posts about people's experiences. Anyone? -- Steve Cramer Athens, GA *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Steve, Last year I was a rescue/safety kayaker for the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon. Over 1400 swimmers hit the freezing waters of San Francisco Bay, most of them probably wishing they hadn't. We had to guide them to shore and keep them from being washed out to the Farallon Islands by the strong tide through the Golden Gate. The weather was lousy, very cold, the wind pushed you one way, the tide pushed you another and a wild medley of currents and waves made you feel as if you were in a salt water blender. In spite of, or because of, the above I had a ball, no joke. It was very well organized, everyone knew what they had to do and where they needed to be. There were two rows of kayakers extending out from Alcatraz and a group of sweepers. I think the sweepers had the most action in terms of rescues. The focus really shifts from your own kayaking to an intense attention to people you are protecting. This year's race will be on June 6 and "I'll be baaack." Some tips: obviously do not do anything that is beyond your ability, know the conditions and the course. Make sure that you can handle them. Dress appropriately and carry safety equipment. In some cases you may need extra safety equipment. Check on the reputation of the race organizers. I was a volunteer at an adventure race that was so disorganized they didn't even know which teams had finished! Make sure that the safety instructions are clear, if you don't understand anything ASK. Ask "worst case scenario" questions just to be sure of contingencies. Things can go wrong very quickly, don't be the man without a plan. If there are more experienced safety kayakers you may want to hang out with them, if possible. Remember there are people counting on you. Good luck, have a great time. Rafa --- Steve Cramer <cramersec_at_charter.net> wrote: > I've volunteered to provide kayak support for an > open water swimming > race at Fernandina Beach, Florida. Don't know too > much about the event yet. > > Paddlewise has been used to recruit safety boaters > before, but I can't > recall many posts about people's experiences. > Anyone? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> Paddlewise has been used to recruit safety boaters before, > but I can't > recall many posts about people's experiences. Anyone? Here is a link to several swim support articles: http://www.cpakayaker.com/newsletter/swim-supports/ Woody Woody's Kayak Trip Reports http://www.kayaktrips.net/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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