[Paddlewise] Try not to sink that boat - was rolling in surf

Doug wrote:
>I always change course or hold off until
>freighters or ferries pass by

G'day Doug' and Paddlewise

Re large boats - I would have said that as kayakers we have a tremendous
moral responsibility to avoid running into ferries and sinking them. And
going behind boats was a powerful tool in my armory of safety precautions
and moral rectitude.

Until last month that is!!!

It was a dark and windy day on the harbour. Skittish white-horse waves
abounded. Yachts everywhere were champing at the bit to race. Diligently I
calculated their route and resolved to paddle well clear and behind the
stationary Umpire, Referee or Marshalling Big Motor Boat Thingy that
administers the race. Cautiously I paddled, slowly working my way behind
that big boat. And what did it do? You guessed it, this monster of the deep
promptly went into reverse amid cries of chagrin from the crew expostulating
with the driver to "WATCH OUT YOU BLAME _at_#$%&# THERES A KAYAKER BEHIND
US!!!". All in vain, try as I might I couldn't get away in time and two ton
of slippery steel is hard to brace against. So over I went, hit by the
corner of the boat, unable to roll because it was the Kahuna. And was that a
propellor? Down down into the deep and bubbly water. Thoughts of my loved
ones, my boat and my hat.

The crew were kind enough to help my somewhat shook up self find sun-glasses
and hat, which in an uncharacteristically vain attempt to look cool and
sartorial I had undone and rakishly tied behind my head of unhair.

What did I learn? - Always Always Always tie the hat on - it doesn't matter
what people say it looks like.

Oh and by the way be just as careful going behind boats as going in front of
them. Theres only one rule - they just can't see me and I won't sink them.

All the best, PeterO
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