Re: [Paddlewise] Swimming Under the Golden Gate Bridge

Thanks for the link and images Duane. Sounds like a good weekend. lLoks a 
little nicer than the mid-west right now at minus 45 with wind-chill -- poor 
slobs. Still, I'd be wearing my stinky rubber outside of SF Bay, as per the 
photos in link below:

http://www.californiacoastline.org/cgi-bin/image.cgi?image=200809058&year=current&mode=sequential&flags=0

DL

> Paddlewisers,
>
> My goodness, I've never read so much talk about not much.
>
> First, in regards to the Golden Gate Sea Kayak Symposium (www.ggsks.com), 
> it was a world-class training event. I felt humbled being around so many 
> highly skilled, fascinating and fun paddlers, both students and coaches 
> alike. I can't wait to go again next year.
>
> Second, in regards to the trip leader, Jim Kennedy, a Level 5 BCU coach 
> from Ireland, he made his decision to turn around based on the best 
> information that he had and with everyone's safety in mind. There were a 
> lot of grumpy faces on the paddle back in, but that's just the burden a 
> leader has to carry. I suspect Mark Sanders was also angry at me when I 
> canceled a crossing trip last year due to concerns about a weather 
> forecast that didn't pan out.
>
> Third, paddling back in against nearly max ebb tide under the Golden Gate 
> was great experience. Nobody was in danger either. There was the on-call 
> safety skiff, which ended up being used because it was convenient. There 
> was also a nice sandy beach with picnic tables not far down current, where 
> it would've been comfortable to wait for the current to slow. From that 
> beach there was also a trail leading to a road. At it turned out, a couple 
> of other BCU coaches also had their group come back in the Golden Gate 
> during max ebb tide a couple days later and also used the skiff. Don't 
> forget that the symposium is all about learning.
>
> Fourth, in regards to immersion gear, the "important information" page on 
> the event website states, "...wetsuits & drysuits are recommended.  A good 
> paddling top is a must have..."
>
> Anyway, there's no such thing as bad publicity, and my guess is that the 
> symposium will quickly max out with attendance next year.
>
> You can see all the fun I had through my photos at:
>
> http://duane.smugmug.com/gallery/7083843_rxXaa#454037030_vtSxC
>
> Duane
> www.rollordrown.com
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