[Paddlewise] Day # 39, Matriculating at UHK

5/4/08

When you get to a certain age, regular school often isn't enough for you, so
some of our group today enrolled in the University of Hard Knocks!

It was an early start for what was to be a longish paddle to the Laguna
environs. Ken and I left the Secret Beach early and met the rest of the
group chomping at the bit at the coast guard beach. It was a nice crowd with
Henry and Kathy, Dave O'Connor, Duane, BBBob McMurray and Steve Wilson
joining in. The wind was quite a bit stiffer than what we were led to
believe on the day and there was quite a bit of chop, so we had our work cut
out for us. Of course, we were also led to believe we'd be paddling at a
crossing pace, but Duane and Bob despite those skinny little paddles had
everyone working hard to keep up. Dave and I were able to catch up to them
just before we stopped to break at Crystal Cove to let everyone catch up and
hydrate.

You could tell that Steve was itching to paddle, because he didn't rest for
long. While the rest of us drank, he headed in to shore to spend some time
in the waves. As we continued south, we could see him floating over the
waves, his rock star hair blowing in the wind. He was waiting a bit for us
inside of Reef Point and as Duane and I grew closer, we were surprised to
see him paddle between the two rocks, especially as a rather large set had
come in. We paddled around half expecting some carnage, but he was happy and
intact on the other side. I had almost mentioned to Duane that I find the
outside area around RP more dangerous than the inside, but then things had
settled down a bit so we seemed fine. Until...With Duane on my left, a wave
decided to appear out of nowhere right on my beam. I don't know how high it
was, but I know it was 16' 10" long, as it was the perfect size to try to
take out my boat. I had no time to avoid it and planted a high brace as it
broke into me. Perhaps a bit too high. I found myself upside down, a
condition I like to call a "Libby" in honor of one of our newer CKF members.
Now I figured we were probably safe from most of the rocks in the area, but
it's hard to tell at Reef Point, but I took my time and rolled up-my first
combat roll in my long boat. I basked in the cheers as we paddled on for
Abalone Point.

Once again Steve seemed to be ahead of us, lingering right at the edge of
the reef at AP. Now this is an area I am always leery of as even in mild
conditions it can be down right contrary. Duane had just mentioned that
Steve was in a bad spot when a wave formed right on Steve's beam and despite
a good brace sent him careening into the reef! He seemed to have been
protected from his trip over the rocks by the amount of water in the wave,
but now he was upside down in the churn and his roll failed him. He was now
in the water with waves still rolling along each side of the reef. I headed
in to the south side of reef to see if I could help, but with my hard to
maneuver boat, I couldn't get close enough to help without becoming victim
#2. Duane headed around from the north end and got to Steve toot sweet and
held on to his boat while he did a quick reentry. But Steve's boat was still
full of water and you could tell he wouldn't get far as unstable as he was.
Dave headed in with his tow belt and hooked up to Duane to pull them to
safety, while Steve started pumping frantically, their two boats rafted
together. They were quickly out of harms way, but decided to land at a
nearby cove to empty out the remaining water.

Although close to our intended destination, we all seemed to agree that the
adrenalin used up in the incident called for us to start home early. Steve
seemed well recovered from his play time, but kept asea of any reefs on the
paddle back. I took the inside passage home, soon to be joined by Bob and
Duane, with an eye peeled for any more sneaker waves to catch us so close to
shore. Time flew on the trip back and Steve voiced mock relief to be back in
the harbor. When everyone comes back alive, you've got to admit that's a
good paddle, especially if you decide to take to heart the lessons only hard
knock can sometimes provide. It was not a paddle I'll soon forget!

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: A Post Mortem-
I figure I better point out some of our mistakes made on this paddle before
those who weren't there point out the glaring facts. I hope a few others on
the paddle will add some choice words. Paddling in a group today, I was
lulled into not wearing my helmet in areas I would normally have it on.
Although conditions weren't really tough today, that tends to be the time
you start to push the envelope a bit and then find yourself in trouble. Does
the term "risk homeostasis" mean anything to you? Steve would be the first
to admit now he should have had a helmet on, but today wasn't supposed to be
a rock garden day. Perhaps he was trying to make up for missing Jack's
paddle a while back. Although there didn't seem any obvious rocks in the
area of the wave that got me, I figure there must have been something under
the water to make it form right on my beam. Alone, I've conditioned myself
to don my helmet at the mere hint of a rock or wave and I shouldn't have let
the safety of a group deter me from my usual prudence. Steve took some
chances paddling and hanging out where he did, but what better time to take
such chances then with a group around to come to your rescue. But you have
to realize the chance you are taking and a helmet should have been the order
for the day for Steve. Once out of his boat, Steve maintained his composure
which facilitated an easy rescue. And he never lost his rock star good
looks, even with the hair a bit plastered down after his swim. Familiarity
with rescues certainly helped and who better to come to your aid than Duane.
With no injuries other than pride, everyone felt today was a great paddle
with excitement to share for years to come. Sometimes the dividing line
becomes a bit thin.

Mark Sanders
www.sandmarks

#
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