[Paddlewise] swim for it-etc.

I have no problem with paddling alone. I have done it all my life on 
both white water and sea coast, and now an inland lake. I have a 
basic operating principle, which is that, if I need a rescue, no one 
will be there in my life time--long or short. 

Many years ago, I paddled my white water kayak across Buzzards 
Bay and back to visit Penikese Island, the only US breeding spot 
for the Leach's Petrel. I trained for that trip from January to 
September, when I made the crossing. Returned 7 miles after dark- 
sunset at about mid-way across. 

Next day, paddled out to Martha's Vinyard from Wood's Hole and 
back-- about 8 miles each way. I didn't have a sea kayak back then.

I try in all cases, to prepare/equip myself in such a way that I will 
be able successfully deal with a worst case event.

It was greatly irritating in three cases when paddlers were unable to 
carry their own weight. Worst, we drove 600 miles to paddle in 
August on the coast of Maine. Water is cold then! One of us had 
street clothes and rain coat and pants. He capsized in 
Frenchman's Bay and, after we rescued him, declared he was done 
for the day. Day trip over-returned immediately to the Bar Harbor 
town dock (after sitting on Iron Bound Island for an hour, putting 
him in dry clothes and getting him to calm down enough to return 
to the dock).

Second, took a New Port, RI yachtsman out for a short paddle on 
Narragansett bay. He refused to wear a pfd- yachtsmen don't need 
them. He capsized half way across the course of a large fleet of 
racing sailboats-spinnacers flying. After rescue, he determined that 
he had a meeting he had to attend in Newport. Day trip over 
immediately.

Third, Trip down Buzzards Bay with 12 or more kayakers. Down 
wind, strong breeze and waves 1-2 feet. A paddler in the rear of our 
group was seen heading out across the bay at a rapid pace. 
What's this? Those of us in the front stopped the group, while two 
of or team in the rear headed out in hot persuit of the stray. 

Those that stopped to wait had to sit still in the waves. Soon 
several had capsized. We did rescues for a while. Trip over. A 
couple of our paddlers returned up wind to the cars. We drove the 
rest of the ducklings directly to shore to wait for transportation to 
arrive.

Stuff happens on trips. We prefer that paddlers be prepared in such 
a manner that such STUFF does not become a crisis.

Then there was the paddler that suffered an incapacitating allergy 
attack off Beaver Tail Point, Narragansette Bay. Tow ropes out.

And the fellow that had an allergic reaction to a bea sting on Isle 
Au Haut off the coast of Maine. He could not paddle back to take 
out. We put him in a double.

Chuck Sutherland    
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