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===== Wednesday Niter Rescue =====

**Pmarcus** \\
04/14/11 #10480

Just curious if…..

They got the canoe and paddles??? Did anybody stick around???

Peter

**Reivers Dustin** 04/16/11 #10485

I was filled in on this last night - although I might have some details wrong.

This was a couple training for Ski-to-Sea. They are not regularly associated with whatcompaddlers. They intended to do the course, but I think didn't finish the entire route. I noticed them coming back across to the boat ramp from somewhere near the lake crossing at the bottom of the course.

As you recall the conditions got windy and choppy as we were all leaving. That spot behind the log boom gets lumpy due to rebound. They had come into this area and the boat swamped. Someone in our group heard their whistle and saw just the two people in the water. So an aid call was placed and the two were hauled in to shore (I don't know the rescuers). As the first responders showed up they were coming out of the water.

We've had similar things happen over the years. When most of us were slower it was easier to keep an eye out for beginners. Now that some are faster (and some, like me, are old and myopic) we need help from our regulars. Please take care to watch for others new to the sport. Many have helped me, (I have a story about Greg Barton saving my sorry ass), and I've given up a few 'personal best times' to keep an eye on somebody else. This is what makes this thing we have good. Pass it along.

rd\\
\\
**tahalsted <tahalsted@…>** \\
04/17/11 #10498

And what about Peter's original question (did they get the boat/paddles back)?

Those of us who lent blankets got them back, but all pretty much agreed that attempting to tow a submerged canoe in the wind was not a great idea.

When I left, said boat was still slowly blowing/drifting towards the northwest shore. None of us could see paddles.

And speaking as one who also got rescued for doing stupid things (DON'T EVER try to sleep in a kayak – even when you're in your twenties and still bullet-proof-dumb!), I second the comments about keeping an eye out for others, especially as newbies wet their paddles for S2S, or otherwise start the wet-fledging process. You meet interesting (if damp) people that way, and the next race, you'll be even faster!

-tom
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