[Paddlewise] Going in circles. Capsize and wrong equipment.

I am training more seriously. So this Dec 25 after the Good Night dinner
(Noche Buena in Mexico), and while the family slept I went out for a paddle
alone. 8 AM I was ready to enter the sea through the river mouth and paddle
out. Wind was expected in the range of 15 to 23 knots. Tide was going out
and wind was pulling waves in, making steep waves at the river mouth. As I
got to the end of the jetty, and sea sand forms a low section waves were
more like 3 feet, and going out wet my chest and face. 

 

I paddled to Sacrifice Island, about 5 miles away with waves and currents on
my front right quarter. Lost of fun. My boat, the Veracruz handling great
without need of skeg or stroke corrections. Leaning and maybe a larger sweep
here and there would do. The island didn't seem to get close since I was
going against wind and waves.  I got there, in one hour and 25 minutes. Took
a 5 minutes rest and started back. I said, "let's rock and roll". And sure
enough I was having a ball with waves on my back left quarter. I knew the
left quarter is my weak side and was careful. As I was getting back I saw a
section of almost stationary waves in the middle of deep water. There is a
shallow bank and tied against wind was making a funny pattern, that was
hypnotizing. I was thinkins, shall I go in there? But I was clever enough to
stay away. It was a beautiful sight to see a tall wave move at very slow
speed braking on itself for a long period of time and distance. 

 

Every time shallow zones were present waves started picking up and I was
paddling away staying in deeper waters, but eventually I had to enter the
river mouth.

 

I was apprehensive and I was afraid or cautious. I moved to the south end
where waves move smoother and water is deeper, but suddenly I was caught in
the section of steep braking waves. Going in was making the next wave
steeper, faster and stronger.

 

Instead of paddling fast I started to turn around to guess the next wave and
then there came this big one very steep and starting to brake just by me. It
turned me sideways and I braced and it pulled me strongly, but then again,
my usual mistake. I did not recover balance when the wave passed and I went
over stupidly. I prepared my roll and at that moment another wave hit me and
discomposed my position. I tried again with foolish technique and worst
attitude, and I failed, and decided (mistake) to exit the boat.  

 

So there I was in the breakers, standing on sand with water to my chest, and
the waves banging and taking away the kayak, which I held with the paddle
leash, that broke.

 

I know the area and knew there were going to be rescue teams and big action
so I had to hurry up to solve my problem.

 

But this was only the beginning. 

 

Picked up my Seattle paddle float, you know the big one with two
compartments that when you inflate it it will float an elephant. I had one
that was inflatable only on one side and you could paddle on the other but
thought this might be better. But it is too big, and too uncomfortable to
use. So finally, after clumsy trials, I got it in the paddle, and after
loosing the boat a couple of times and swimming for it, in the black hole
zone, I went down and made a reentry and roll. And so there I was with a
boat full of water and a big, hugh paddlefloat, incapable of pumping out in
that turmoil, and incapable of paddling. BTW the paddlefloat fills with
water in the in between and gets very heavy.

 

So I looked around and said. I am on my boat, which is very unstable and the
paddlefloat gives me stability, but I can go no where. Good deal.

 

I tried deflating the float but the problem was not the air but the water in
the bag. I had two options, move left of the jetty and land in the south
shore, and be defeated but saved, or try to enter the river mouth and get to
my car. With the bag deflated a big wave came again and the instability made
me brace but the brace was not enough and there I was in the water again.
This time I was faster to get in, and after upright, decided to pump water
to an acceptable level and try to paddle by the rocks where waves were
hitting with less strength. So I did. Pumped some, stored my bag and paddled
very very carefully until I passed the critical zone and went slowly and
heavily in until I found a beach in between the rocks where I emptied the
kayak and paddled to my car.  I did accomplish my goal and finished my
expedition, but was very disappointed at several things.

 

1.- I was not missing a roll in a long time and have started missing lately.
Two times now. I reminds me of the question about what is the difference
between "fear and panick" Fear is the first time you can not at the second
trial and panick is the second time you can not at the first trial. :_) So I
am worried, and must go back to a lot of practice.

2.- My paddlefloat is no good for reentry and roll. With my old one you
could float on one side and paddle on the other. I got it from Joanne in
Irvine many years ago. That could move you out of danger.

3.- My paddleleash broke on me. They must be really stronger in the end
connectors.

4.- Try rolling as much as possible. The problems you encounter when you
miss a roll are not worth it.

5.- I am glad this happened to me now, that I am in training for larger
crossings. This is good time to improve skills and equipment. 

6.- My bilge pump is hard, and clumsy. I need a better one and I wonder if
an electric bilge pump would not really be the solution for situations like
that. As water is moved out one can recover boat control. 

 

I was humbled again by the sea, and must go back to the rescues and rolls
practice and I must do something about my left brace. I will start rolling
also on my off side to gain body control on that side.

 

Best Regards,

 

Rafael

Mexico.
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