PaddleWise by thread

From: David <djd_at_spiritone.com> subject: [Paddlewise] Sean Morley re: GGSKS Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:36:11 -0800 · This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:50 PDT

Here's Sean's response for another viewpoint regarding Mark's
post...  I felt it was only fair to offer the organizers an
opportunity to respond.  Pretty well reported Mark!

Thanks so much for bringing this post to my attention. Please feel
free to
publish this response.

Firstly I want to thank Mark for what I take to be a very honest
account of
what happened on the Advanced Trip at the Golden Gate Sea Kayak
Symposium.

Secondly I want to point out that I can only base my response to Mark's
account on hearsay as I wasn't on the trip and whilst I did my best to
listen to everyone's account I am fully aware that not everyone is
willing
to share their thoughts and opinions in a group setting.

I acted as Safety Officer for the symposium. Before allowing the
Advanced
Trip to go ahead and to attempt the trip from Horseshoe Cove to Stinston
Beach I checked the weather conditions, both current and forecasted,
swell
heights, wind speeds, etc. I also made a visual check of the surf at
Rodeo
Beach that morning at 7.00am. I was satisfied that conditions
appeared to be
good enough for the trip to go ahead. Indeed, for the time of year,
conditions appeared to be nigh on perfect.

I discussed the various options with the TL and his assistants and they
seemed happy to attempt the journey. After the symposium daily briefing,
which did include some of my thoughts on personal responsibility and
being
appropriately dressed I left the groups to do their thing and did not
check
on such things as what kit folk were carrying or wearing. I feel this
is the
responsibility of the TL and his assistants.

I cannot comment on the decision made by the TL to abort the open coast
section of the trip. I was not there, I did not see the standard of
paddling
that the group participants were displaying, nor do I know what the
localized conditions were like at Point Bonita. All I can say is that I
trust and respect the TL's decision.

Whilst completing the shuttle and leaving a vehicle and trailer at
Stinston
Beach I was able to see first hand the conditions on the open coast
and I
was reassured to see that they were indeed as near perfect as one is
likely
to get this time of year. Therefore I was somewhat surprised and
confused
when I returned to Horseshoe Cove to find the group attempting to re-
enter
the Gate at what was close to maximum ebb. I immediately boarded the
symposium safety boat and went to take a look. It was apparent that
whilst
there was some separation of the group due to the nature of the 90degree
turn at Lime Point, there didn't appear to be any panic or any
suggestion of
immediate danger to anyone.

We monitored the situation for a short while and then were asked to
convey
two of the group back to Horseshoe Cove in the safety boat which we did
without incident. I did notice that when the two group members got
out of
their kayaks and into the safety boat they were both wearing shorts
and one
was not wearing any shoes and I made my opinion known that I felt
that was
unacceptable attire for such an excursion.

I will add that at this time I did not know whether any of the group's
instructors or anyone else associated with the symposium had approved
their
clothing. I have subsequently found out that such discussion did take
place
with one of the Symposium organizers and whilst I agree that at the
end of
the day it is a personal decision I continue to hold the opinion that
such
attire is not acceptable and I know that I would not be willing to have
someone dressed as such in a group I am responsible for.

Once all the group had returned to Horseshoe Cove I de-briefed the
instructors which included me expressing my concern over what some of
the
group were wearing on their lower extremities.

We then conducted a group de-brief and everyone was given the
opportunity to
share their thoughts on what had happened. I again expressed by concerns
about appropriate clothing and footwear and I noted that one other
member of
the group was also wearing board shorts.

That was the extent of my discussion with the participants of the
group on
the issue. I was disappointed to learn the next day that one of the
group
had gone home early and I was sad that this person had not felt able or
willing to express his concerns with me.

I think there is a huge amount of learning that can be gained from this
scenario and surely that is what Symposium's are all about? Of course I
fully understand the disappointment felt by many members of the group
at not
having made it out onto the open coast and completing the trip. I was
extremely disappointed for you! I do think that some interesting
decisions
were made and wonder if all options were fully considered but I cannot
criticize the TL as I was not there. What I do know is that everyone got
home safely and whilst there may well be some frustration remaining
about
the decisions that were taken, hopefully everyone can take away
something
from the experience and learn from it. If any member of that Advanced
Trip
would like to join me on the same excursion at some stage in the future
(weather/sea conditions permitting) I will do my very best to make that
happen at no charge to anyone.

I would like to add some more on personal responsibility and risk
assessment. If you have seen my slideshow on my circumnavigation of
the UK
and Ireland you will see many photos of me wearing neoprene shorts
during
that expedition. Indeed you will see many photos of me not wearing a
pfd! I
can certainly relate to Mark's problems with overheating as I have a
similar
issue. But quite simply we are both wrong to have not dressed for
immersion.
Not only are we putting our own lives at risk, we are risking the
lives of
our colleagues who we paddle with and the members of the rescue
services who
might have to come and save us. These days with the quality of technical
gear available to sea kayakers there really is no excuse for not
wearing the
appropriate clothing. By using a layering system and waterproof
breathable
fabrics it is absolutely possible to be appropriately dressed for
immersion
WITHOUT running the risk of overheating. Of course cost is an issue for
everyone but you have to consider how much it could cost you and your
family
if you don't wear it?

The only way to find out how to dress for immersion is to practice self
rescues in different combinations of clothing until you find a system
that
works for you. You should not rely on a 'bomb proof' roll or your
colleagues
to pluck you out of the water before you go hypothermic. Sea kayaking
is all
about judgment and risk assessment. I will not pretend that I heed my
own
advice on every occasion that I go out on the water but I can promise
you
this, you will not see me wearing a pair of board shorts and no shoes
on a
coastal trip at any time of year.

The other aspect of personal judgment and risk assessment that this
scenario
highlights is that of self-assessment. What I am about to say is no
reflection upon the skills of any of the individuals on the Advanced
Trip.
Sadly I did not have the opportunity to paddle with you and so I cannot
comment. This was my first attempt at organizing a symposium. Our
mission is
to create a world-class skills symposium. I knew we had a fantastic
venue
and through my contacts in the industry I knew I could put together a
world-class line-up of instructors. I am all for people extending
themselves
- that is how I have learnt to paddle myself. I am fortunate enough
to have
had some awesome paddlers for teachers and role models in my paddling
career
and I want to give others that same opportunity. This event was
designed to
encourage and allow people to extend themselves and learn and
discover in
relative safety knowing that some of the best in the business were
there to
look after them and make sure the didn't do anything really
dangerous. So I
am delighted that we had so many people interested in signing up for
classes
such as the Advanced Trip and the one I had direct involvement in - Rock
Gardening. I had been warned by much more experienced symposium
instructors
that participants have a tendency to sign up for classes that are
inappropriate for their skill level. I was naove and did not give
this due
consideration in my planning. It would have been possible to produce
more of
a natural progression through the weekend and allow participants to
'grow'
their skill set and obtain feedback before embarking on for example, the
Advanced Trip. You can be sure that next year the Advanced Trip will
not be
on the first day and there may be a pre-requisite 'warm up session'
on the
preceding day.

Of course if you do sign up for a class that is way above your skill
set you
will not only deny yourself a learning opportunity (for example it is
almost
impossible to learn new skills if all you are trying to do is stay
upright),
you can also impact upon the learning and enjoyment of others. I would
strongly encourage you to find a mentor, someone with solid paddling
skills
and experience, in whose judgment you trust and get their advice on what
classes are appropriate for you. I know that Mark did indeed do just
that
before signing up for the Advanced Trip and was encouraged to
participate by
one of the trip's instructors.

Happy paddling and I hope to see more of you at next year's Golden
Gate Sea
Kayak Symposium.

Sean Morley

River and Ocean LLC
Valley Sea Kayaks, Kokatat Watersports Wear, Lettmann Paddles, North
Shore
Sea Kayaks, Snap Dragon Design, Mitchell Paddles, Gath Helmets, Barz
Optics,
Gaia Sports
www.riverandocean.com
tel:415-816-8746
fax:415-747-8724
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************