RE: [Paddlewise] Wanted - Kayak Stories

Craig wrote:


.....But I know that there are paddlewisers who live in warmer
climes who are happily spending their time puttering about in small boats.
So why doncha tell us about it? Those of us who live in the land of hard
(very hard!) waters are counting on you all to give us some vicarious relief
from the cold. -.........

Hi Craig,

Yes I have some story to tell. I live in Queritaro in the Continental Divide
in Mixico, and had to travel to Veracruz for business purposes and to work
some on the little kayaking hotel I have been building for some years now.

So I was caught with some time to do some surfing just before a strong cold
front with 40 knots winds and 50 gusts would hit.

It was nice 2 to 3 foot decent waves with moderate wind and I spent almost
too hours going back and forth, with my friend Josi, each in a Performa L.
He never capsized. I fell twice. BTW water is just right, not cold not warm.
Air temperature is on the 20 Celsius. The funny thing is that on my first
capsize, my head was on the wrong side and I had to pass it under the kayak
in between a small gap to the other side, feeling the sand obstacle. Done
that, my paddle was in awkward position so I made an attempt to roll just to
catch air and accommodate myself properly. Then a wave came in and made my
second attempt look as a breath taking exercise again, and when I was about
to make the final and good attempt, the Three Hands of God were there. Two
adults and two children came by and picked me up, put me on my feet and
stood holding the kayak in between waves and shore. I was telling them to
move sideways due to the obvious danger of a wave hitting them with the
kayak, but they appreciated my comments as those of somebody who is
incoherent and shocked from just having been saved from death.

So I just thanked them and got the water out of the kayak and went back to
the waves. Obviously in the guys mind there was something like "if he wants
to die let him #$%&/"

Anyway Josi and I made very good runs. We have a faulty run, though, since
we pick up the wave and we get accelerated so much that we leave the wave
behind and then the white water catches with us later on, with the necessary
side brace. Our aim now is to turn and stay with the tube as much as
possible.

My second fall was in deeper waters and I rolled OK, and made a point not to
capsize again, which I accomplished, even though wind and waves were
growing. This happened on Saturday.

Today, Tuesday I had an appointment with other kayakers by 8 AM, and they
did not show up in 20 minutes so I went alone to a 5 mile apart Island. At
half way there are some low reefs and after them the open waters were making
a nice soup with clapotis and some 1 to 3 feet swell, from the back right
quarter. It was a nice, mild shaky paddle and I reached the island alone.
Did some walking, had some energy bars and water and started back and half
way I met my friends. Temperature was fresh and just a shirt felt a little
cold but with strong paddling the cold would go away. 

This is one of the worst Winter days in Veracruz. It gets bad only every
four days when cold fronts come in and wind blows hard, but is time to
practice in places where waves form nice patterns.

So I suggest that you break the winter in two and come down for a week or so
and paddle with us.

Best Regards,
Rafael
Mexico
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