Before knowing the answer, let me guess! Here we had two kayakers that we assume had some level of kayaking skill. Both men capsized. It seems a little odd that both went over and failed to roll. It appears they didn't have radios. I bet both paddlers were using proper short "go fast" paddles so as to get there really fast with the least amount of effort. Chuck Sutherland *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Or they could have been hit by a rogue wave, as was hinted at by the article that Nick referenced. Rogue waves are not uncommon on the coast of Maine. I personally know one person who almost died after being pummeled by a rogue wave while walking the beach an hour or so north of Biddeford. I've paddled around the Biddeford rocks. There are some nasty/entertaining water conditions in the area, I could easily see two people going in at the same time. Waiting for the incident report (if one ever comes out) is worthwhile. Blaming "go fast paddles" is pointless. On Thu, 10 May 2007 16:02:08 +0000, "skimmer" <skimmer_at_enter.net> said: > Before knowing the answer, let me guess! Here we had two > kayakers that we assume had some level of kayaking skill. Both > men capsized. It seems a little odd that both went over and failed > to roll. It appears they didn't have radios. > > I bet both paddlers were using proper short "go fast" paddles so as > to get there really fast with the least amount of effort. -- Kirk Olsen *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Kirk, Google Earth reveals some interesting looking terrain. I am sure, in conditions. Wood Island is here: 43027'20.23"N 70020'0.02"W Biddeford Pool is due west. A little digging at local weather conditions reveal: Clear skies, visibility 10 miles, 10 knot East Wind, High tide around 4:20 PM. Air temp was unusually warm Tuesday afternoon at 80 degrees. --- I did find this juxtaposition of facts and quotes from the article a bit disconcerting, if accurate. 1) 6:30 PM, 5' seas, 44 degree water 2) "Both kayakers were equipped with life jackets and strobe lights. Andrusic also wore a dry suit and Gutmann wore a short wet suit" 3) "Both Gutmann and Andrusic had years of kayaking experience and their gear was appropriate for cold-water paddling, according to Marine Patrol Sgt. Rick LaFlamme." --- I wouldn't be wearing a shorty in this circumstance. The early signs are VHF radios would have been good to have along. And the Marine Sgt. needs a refresher on immersion gear. *************************************************************************** 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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