Surfski Knowledge Base

Larry Goolsby
11/15/09 #7373

After the unforgettable Lemming paddle two weeks ago, I have been apprehensive about bringing the trailer down to Marine Park for a repeat performance. I have had two weeks to think about what happened that day and I am now amazed that we did not have a true disaster. We were lucky, nothing more, nothing less. Of the 8 paddlers that left Wild Cat Cove that day, I only know of 3 that had VHF radios. We called the Coast Guard after we were missing 3 out of the 8 and this could have been totally preventable had everyone been carrying a radio. Next week is the 2nd anniversary of Bip's death and I hate to point it out to you but the winter storms are upon us. I am bothered by the fact that if I had been the paddler that was caught out in those conditions without a radio or someone to call for help for me, I wouldn't have any way of making it to shore before hypothermia set in and life for me ended. What I am trying to say is that I need you to carry a radio and be leashed to your boat, not for yourself, but for me.

I bought my VHF radio a few days after Bip's death and have carried one since. It is pretty clear to me and most others in our group that a leash and a VHF radio are the minimum necessities for survival in winter conditions. To this day, there are still some people that think that they don't need these devices to survive and they are probably correct. However, I need you to have these devices so that I might survive. If you can't help me, then why would I want to paddle in rough conditions with you? I am not talking about just falling off my boat, but what if I had a medical condition like a heart attack? What can you do for me if I can't paddle and you don't have a radio?

So the next time the conditions look optimal for a downwind run, I am not going to take anyone down to Wild cat Cove unless they have a working VHF radio and a leash. I will also enforce using the buddy system and each person will be responsible for making sure that their buddy has a leash, a radio, is wearing adequate clothing for submersion, and can handle the conditions with the boat that they are using. The last thing we need is another death on the water and if we don't start controlling the situation, the Coast Guard will. Bite the bullet and go buy a VHF radio, not for yourself but for your friends.
Larry G.

Re: Winter paddling and future downwinders…..
Dale McKinnon
11/16/09 #7374

Larry, thank you.

“Morris Arthur” <marthur@…> wrote:

Larry,
For us paddlers with short attention spans, could you summarize this fine prose with a concise list?

Here's my standard winter paddling checklist (which sounds like yours):
1) Leash
2) VHF
3) Clothes
4) PFD

… and then I guess you could add the obvious:
“adequate skills”
… and for organized trips:
“a buddy”

However, as far as preparedness goes, I wouldn't emphasize the buddy thing too much: each paddler is taking an individual risk when they launch… and each paddler should take steps to mitigate that risk ( see list above )… without depending on another paddler.

Speaking of lists, are there any winter paddling guidelines or FAQs out there ? (like on the surfski yahoo group?)
…or do we need to start our own?

Morris

Re: Winter paddling and future downwinders…..
Larry <lbussing@…>
11/16/09 #7377

Morris, Larry G,
I endorse the sentiments and the list below. I have taken a mental attitude that “I am always alone” out there. I have to make a personal decision each and every time I leave shore as to clothes and skill level (lease, PFD, and vhf are manditory) irregardless of whether someone else might be with me. I can not expect or presume that someone else can or will be in a position to help me or visa-versa. Even if you have managed to stay buddied up, you or they may have to chose going to shore. For this reason, I bought a new VHF with the emergency button, for myself or for having the waypoint for someone else.
Larry B

Re: Winter paddling and future downwinders…..
Larry Goolsby
11/16/09 #7378

Morris…My list is the same as yours except that I have one personal preference: a boat that I can paddle in any conditions. I have just as much fun in my R as I do my Special. I may not be as fast in the R but then winter paddling is not a race. 3 years ago when Reivers and I were caught in nuclear conditions during a downwind run from Wild Cat Cove (in my Special and his X), we had to dismount a couple of times in order to help Terry Webb back into his boat. I believe the time of year was the end of November and I remember that we finally lost Terry's boat to the wind and Reivers pulled out his VHF and called the CG. 20 to 30 minutes later, they pulled Terry from the side of my boat and asked me if I wanted a ride. I said no thinking that I was going to get some glorious rides back to Marine Park (wind about 40-50 mph at this time). The CG boat took off and I started paddling north only to find that my legs and feet were so numb, I couldn't feel the pedals or foot braces. If you can't feel your feet, you can't balance. I struggled to get back to Marine Park with 2 swims along the way. It was scary as hell and I was angry at myself for not bringing the R. Ever since then, I prefer the luxury of a stable boat over the speed of a tippy one.
LG

Re: Winter paddling and future downwinders…..
Reivers Dustin
11/16/09 #7379

This is some very clear thinking you guys. (Note Dale's post-script). If you start laying down lots of requirements about gear in good condition, levels of skill, levels of fitness, yada-yada the whole thing turns into a Keystone Cops movie.

But it's time to get some basis in place. I'm allergic to 'policy'. But, like many I'm getting nervous about group dynamics in heavy conditions.

For me it's a short list, in order of lifesaving value:
1. VHF radio.
2. Leash system.
3. PFD.

What does this list mean? - This is where I need your help. (Yes, everyone who reads Whatcompaddlers.) Tell me what you think.

rd

Re: Winter paddling and future downwinders…..
John Rybczyk
11/16/09 #7381

Great post Larry G. As someone new to surf skiing, I'll throw my two cents into the mix with regards to my number one safety item when the waves and the winds get going. I'm not convinced that one can dress for long-term immersion AND comfort while paddling, and for me, since I'm still learning, a long-term immersion event is a very real possibility in bigger conditions. I'm at the point where I'm very much enjoying the waves, but I still fall in. I'm getting very good at remounting in calm to moderate conditions, but in the rougher stuff, it can still take me several attempts before I'm up and going again. I'm learning, I'm getting better, but how do you learn to re-mount in winter surf conditions if you're not practicing in winter surf conditions? Therefore, my number one safety item in the big water is my 5/3 wetsuit with an additional layer underneath. This is what I wear when I'm board surfing in the PNW. I've used this suit bodysurfing up in Tofino and I was in the water for over an hour. I came in because I was tired, not because I was cold. It is, surprisingly, not too restrictive for paddling, but it is way too warm for paddling. It's a compromise I'm willing to make right now. I can fall in, lose my boat (I do have a leash) and still be warm and swim, easily, for a long, long time. It's a great comfort to me. When I fall in less, and my remount is bombproof under all conditions, then I'll wear something different, something less sauna-like, in the big stuff.

Re: Winter paddling and future downwinders…..
Jim Buchanan <pharm_man001@…>
11/16/09 #7382

Thanks for the post John and Larry.

I wear a dry suit and layer most of the time given I am very new to the sport and the amount of time I do spend swimming. I am getting better and I try to get out on less than optimal days to practice swimming and remounting (Lake Whatcom). 2 questions I have are:

1. How does one keep his hands warm this time of year, especially when taking multiple swims.
2. When is right time to concider trying my first down winder or just even going out in the bay?

Thanks jim

Re: Winter paddling and future downwinders…..
Pmarcus
11/16/09 #7383

Hi Jim,
The only way I know to fight off the cold hand syndrome is to wear neoprene gloves that aren't too tight, they can be purchased at Lummi Fish at the harbor. Also, some people wear biking gloves or some kind of fingerless glove and then pogie's over their paddle shaft. Pogie's vary to thin shells with a soft lining for the top of the hand to a neoprene version. Unfortunately, you loose sensitivity for the paddle shaft as soon as the gloves go on……but you can get thin loose glove shells to keep the water off the hand and then wear the pogie's…………of course the best way is to just paddle in Hawaii!!

Cheers, Peter

Re: Winter paddling and future downwinders…..
Larry <lbussing@…>
11/16/09 #7384

I wear fingerless gloves year around. They eliminate the blisters, but they aren't that warm. The best poogies I've found are nylon ones from Deep Cove. I modified them by threading a 3/16“ tygon tubing into the folded seam of the wrist sleeve, which keeps it open like a spring so your hand will just slip in even in rough water. As far as fingerless gloves, I've found that Warmers gloves (REI carries them) are very good.
(both are good stocking stuffers) Larry B