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--- stories:calling_checklists_2_15_2020 [2020/02/26 16:06]
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+++ stories:calling_checklists_2_15_2020 [2025/03/23 22:10] (current)
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-==== Calling All Checklists ====
+<<stories:deception_pass_2_1_2020|Previous Story^stories:bellingham_stories|Story List^stories:missing_paddler_located|Next Story>>
+===== Calling All Checklists =====
 **2/15/20 Saturday**
@@ Line 27: / Line 29: @@
 [[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1UDlCiszPsR6UaLQElOq8AIv3fc_iRU6B|https://drive.google.com/open?id=1UDlCiszPsR6UaLQElOq8AIv3fc_iRU6B]]
+or
+{{vimeo>391939815}}
 Denise
@@ Line 38: / Line 44: @@
 Feb 16 #26085
-We may have been over the legal limit of paddlers crammed into a van, but as we were headed south on Chuckanut, Nick and Alan both said with eyes wide, it’s pumping out there.\\
+We may have been over the legal limit of paddlers crammed into a van, but as we were headed south on Chuckanut, Nick and Alan both said with eyes wide, it’s pumping out there.
-Got to WC and the wind was steady and swirly. Denise and I rigged my Gemini, checked in with a few of the guys for safety, and headed out! The waves were stacking up good and looking at my GPS, saw that we were cruising between 9-11 + with little effort.\\
-I wasn’t paying attention and got too offshore at Chuckanut Bay. The easterly push had us swampy and we broached more than a few times, but we stayed upright. I got frustrated with my lack of focus, but we were still cruising and enjoying Gorge-style waves.\\
+Got to WC and the wind was steady and swirly. Denise and I rigged my Gemini, checked in with a few of the guys for safety, and headed out! The waves were stacking up good and looking at my GPS, saw that we were cruising between 9-11 + with little effort. I wasn’t paying attention and got too offshore at Chuckanut Bay. The easterly push had us swampy and we broached more than a few times, but we stayed upright. I got frustrated with my lack of focus, but we were still cruising and enjoying Gorge-style waves. The section from the tunnel to the north of the buoy was fun and very connectable in the longish Gemini. Once we hit Woods, the easterly reared it’s ugly head again and it was hard for me to connect… also, we may have been a wee bit tired! Sideways slop with attractive waves standing up in front… felt like Swell City.
-The section from the tunnel to the north of the buoy was fun and very connectable in the longish Gemini. Once we hit Woods, the easterly reared it’s ugly head again and it was hard for me to connect… also, we may have been a wee bit tired! Sideways slop with attractive waves standing up in front… felt like Swell City.\\
-Kevin and Jamie stayed back, did laps and made sure my canoe of peckish hens got to the beach safely.\\
+Kevin and Jamie stayed back, did laps and made sure my canoe of peckish hens got to the beach safely. So much to learn and thankful that all the hotshots let us tag along!
-So much to learn and thankful that all the hotshots let us tag along!
-\\
 **Kimberly Reeves** \\
 Feb 16 #26086
 Let’s talk about what you did correctly! Check in plan, buddy (husband) paddling nearby, radio, paddle leash…\\
-All good things…and that made all the difference in the world.\\
+All good things…and that made all the difference in the world. When I used to climb, my partners and me would run thru our safety list to make sure our harnesses were doubled through and out figure 8 follow thrus were legit… might be good to apply to paddling.
-When I used to climb, my partners and me would run thru our safety list to make sure our harnesses were doubled through and out figure 8 follow thrus were legit… might be good to apply to paddling.\\
 Leash….check\\
 Paddle leash…. check\\
@@ Line 58: / Line 62: @@
 Be safe out there :)
-\\
 **Duncan Howat** \\
 Feb 16 #26087
@@ Line 72: / Line 75: @@
 I visually inspect the boat's mission critical systems before I go, and also do routine maintenance on these. Also worth noting, I have “broken” or prevented a failure of every last one of these:
-  *
+  * Inspect rudder yoke & pins
+  * Replace my rudder line bi-annually and use top shelf Q-Powerline.
-Inspect rudder yoke & pins
+  * Test the leash and connection points, including the velcro, locking carabiner, and the structural connection points of the leash.
+  * I replace my leash annually (calendar reminder every August).
-  *
+  * I replace my PFD every three years. (UV degradation is nasty beyond aesthetic, it significantly weakens fabric to the point where it can be torn with little force).
+  * Inspect rudder line terminals & connection points to the footboard (wear points)
-Replace my rudder line bi-annually and use top shelf Q-Powerline.
+  * Inspect footboard adjustment mechanisms
+  * Inspect footboard rail connection points to the boat
-  *
+  * Stress test the ferrule of the paddle, just to make sure it's a firm lock. The old Epic paddles are notorious for loosening up.
+  * Retire paddles from downwind use after three seasons. If you're using an old, shit paddle don't be surprised when it retires itself.
-Test the leash and connection points, including the velcro, locking carabiner, and the structural connection points of the leash.
+  * I do a battery check on my VHF (there's nothing like discovering it's dead in a moment of need)
+  * I inspect my flare system, and recovery gear (including a very nice, small pull rope setup that I keep on me at all times),
-  *
-I replace my leash annually (calendar reminder every August).
-  *
-I replace my PFD every three years. (UV degradation is nasty beyond aesthetic, it significantly weakens fabric to the point where it can be torn with little force).
-  *
-Inspect rudder line terminals & connection points to the footboard (wear points)
-  *
-Inspect footboard adjustment mechanisms
-  *
-Inspect footboard rail connection points to the boat
-  *
-Stress test the ferrule of the paddle, just to make sure it's a firm lock. The old Epic paddles are notorious for loosening up.
-  *
-Retire paddles from downwind use after three seasons. If you're using an old, shit paddle don't be surprised when it retires itself.
-  *
-I do a battery check on my VHF (there's nothing like discovering it's dead in a moment of need)
-  *
-I inspect my flare system, and recovery gear (including a very nice, small pull rope setup that I keep on me at all times),
 Other safety related thoughts:
-  *
+  * I let my fam / friends know when I'll be on / off the water and where I will be on the water. If I am doing a big solo adventure, I file a float plan with the Coasties or Rangers.
+  * I try to paddle when the system is supposed to weaken, not intensify.
-I let my fam / friends know when I'll be on / off the water and where I will be on the water. If I am doing a big solo adventure, I file a float plan with the Coasties or Rangers.
+  * I don't paddle in the wind at dusk.
+  * I don't rush to get on the water, and I try to stay focused on my checklist - including pausing conversations.
-  *
+  * I practice and experiment obsessively with rescue techniques, including paddling with one half of a paddle, and with no rudder (again, both have happened to me on downwinds and both pushed me to the limit of my skill / fitness). I share ideas, concepts with pals and ask them to try stuff.
+  * I experiment with my clothing mix, and error on the side of hot. Yes, this means I will be slower than I could be. But “Festine Lente”… slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.
-I try to paddle when the system is supposed to weaken, not intensify.
+  * I don't downwind if it's below 40º F, or above 50 mph.
+  * I set aside specific days where I do nothing but work on getting better and better in ever more challenging conditions or situations. Generally I keep it really short and do something like laps (not a full downwind) or doing slow motion figure eights. I try get just a little bit better, a little bit at a time. Sometimes I reach out to people who have a really particular skill (like surf breaks) and travel to train / learn from them.
-  *
+  * If I am downwinding with a group, we pair up 1:1. When the faster person stops to wait, the other paddler agrees to surf towards them. If they are more than 200' feet away they may not be visible in the waves. I've turned around to look for a paddler only to realize that they went by 500 meters away and I didn't see them. Buzzkill.
+  * When I paddle downwind with friends, I let them know if I am going to go hard, or chill and do technique work. There are times in a big group downwind, like Saturday, where I just want to hammer. I consider that going solo, and I let them know I am doing my own thing and won't be stopping or checking in on them.
-I don't paddle in the wind at dusk.
+  * I obsessively verify conditions up until the last moment.
+  * I listen to my instincts and pick my days on the sea. There are days when my brain just says “nah. not feeling it today.” and I bail.
-  *
-I don't rush to get on the water, and I try to stay focused on my checklist - including pausing conversations.
-  *
-I practice and experiment obsessively with rescue techniques, including paddling with one half of a paddle, and with no rudder (again, both have happened to me on downwinds and both pushed me to the limit of my skill / fitness). I share ideas, concepts with pals and ask them to try stuff.
-  *
-I experiment with my clothing mix, and error on the side of hot. Yes, this means I will be slower than I could be. But “Festine Lente”… slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.
-  *
-I don't downwind if it's below 40º F, or above 50 mph.
-  *
-I set aside specific days where I do nothing but work on getting better and better in ever more challenging conditions or situations. Generally I keep it really short and do something like laps (not a full downwind) or doing slow motion figure eights. I try get just a little bit better, a little bit at a time. Sometimes I reach out to people who have a really particular skill (like surf breaks) and travel to train / learn from them.
-  *
-If I am downwinding with a group, we pair up 1:1. When the faster person stops to wait, the other paddler agrees to surf towards them. If they are more than 200' feet away they may not be visible in the waves. I've turned around to look for a paddler only to realize that they went by 500 meters away and I didn't see them. Buzzkill.
-  *
-When I paddle downwind with friends, I let them know if I am going to go hard, or chill and do technique work. There are times in a big group downwind, like Saturday, where I just want to hammer. I consider that going solo, and I let them know I am doing my own thing and won't be stopping or checking in on them.
-  *
-I obsessively verify conditions up until the last moment.
-  *
-I listen to my instincts and pick my days on the sea. There are days when my brain just says “nah. not feeling it today.” and I bail.
 About going solo: Soloing is controversial, but a very individual decision. Being alone is very valuable to me and personally worth the risk. Just know that whatever you paddle in, self rescue is the first, middle and last resort. I consider it unethical to put rescuers lives at risk by paddling in extreme conditions, and I only solo if I am 100% confident I am not getting in over my head or compromising.
@@ Line 178: / Line 111: @@
 Fly safe out there.
-Nicholas Cryder \\ Creative Director / Founder \\ Faster Farther \\ C: 253.219.0000
+Nicholas Cryder
-Bellwether Way, Suite 209 \\ Bellingham WA 98225
 fasterfarther.com
@@ Line 186: / Line 117: @@
 **Michael Gregory**  Feb 17 #26089
-Good lesson for us all. Denise, great vid to memorialize the carnage;) Remarkable that you guys recovered your ski. Must say though, without having a "buddy" to help things might not have gone so swimmingly well. \\ A little observation, some hardy paddlers have been launching in fairly high winds and big Bellingham Bay chop. What could go wrong, right? Well, lot's of things and in big conditions things happen fast. \\ Soo, by all means do safety gear checks each paddle. However, when we launch each of us should know those launching in a group and launch together. Check with a partner roughly your speed and keep each other in sight. \\ Mike G \\  \\ **Waterman Larry** \\ Feb 17 #26090
+Good lesson for us all. Denise, great vid to memorialize the carnage;) Remarkable that you guys recovered your ski. Must say though, without having a "buddy" to help things might not have gone so swimmingly well.
+A little observation, some hardy paddlers have been launching in fairly high winds and big Bellingham Bay chop. What could go wrong, right? Well, lot's of things and in big conditions things happen fast. Soo, by all means do safety gear checks each paddle. However, when we launch each of us should know those launching in a group and launch together. Check with a partner roughly your speed and keep each other in sight. \\ Mike G \\  \\ **Waterman Larry** \\ Feb 17 #26090
 As a marine surveyor who investigates boat accidents, I printed up Nicholas entire safety email and put it on my wall above my computer where I write up those disaster reports. Fantastic.

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