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My First Wildcat Run
Jim Buchanan <pharm_man001@…>
09/24/13 #14910
Whatcom Paddlers;
Kudos for all the the dialog to make us all aware. This exact event happened to me exactly 3 years ago to date. The first of the major winds of September, still relatively warm, and very confident from months summer paddling. I thought I was prepared for everything during my first major down winder but the section by the train tunnel got the best of me. Ended up pretty beat up and cold but finally got in my boat as the Coast Guard was pulling up. My partner and I both had radios and I was more than happy that he got the chance to use it. If I was much further out things could have ended up differently.
This was a definite gut check for me and I did end up abstaining from down winders for the season. What I did do was stay relatively close to Marine Park and do laps, or I would mainly play in the North end of the bay (shallow end of the pool). Great practice…baby steps. I feel confident in most conditions now but I do think twice and refer back to these conversations when the winds really start to pick up.
Thanks again to everybody for the dialog and stay safe.
Jim
