Surfski Knowledge Base

Larry Goolsby
12/17/06 #2253

The following letter was posted on our site and I feel that it is out of place.

–The financial costs of rescues, as outlined by Mike Hammer, are substantial and should be thought provoking. There is another more important aspect that should not be overlooked. Those who are doing these rescues are risking their lives for thrill seekers. As a member of the local paddling community I am embarrassed.
Sharon Lindsay–

Dear Sharon…..The Whatcom Paddlers site was created as a venue of communication for the local racing community. As our home page states, “we like to make outrigger canoes, kayaks, surfskis and such go fast”. It has not been the practice of the members of this site to chastise each others actions. Instead, we learn from others mistakes and try to make our sport safer. Criticizing others benefits no one while offering ideas benefits everyone. I am sorry that you are embarrassed because a rescue took place but I think you are following the wrong website. I just retired from from the Mt. Baker Ski Patrol after serving since 1968. My job was to rescue those that were injured or lost and to risk my life while doing that. Twice in the last 10 years I had to have surgery following an incident while doing my job (which I had to pay for).I wasn't paid anything for this job but there was a cost to the community for the work that we did. Would you be embarrassed if a family member fractured a leg skiing and needed to be rescued? I think not because crap happens no matter what sport you choose to partake in. The surfski community is a cohesive group that shares it's issues and ideas openly to the public. If you aren't into surfing waves or racing then please explain why you feel the need to post an opinion that benefits no one. If you don't agree with our mentality then please don't visit our site and start pointing fingers unless you are willing to walk a mile in our shoes. We are not proud of what happened and that is why we are posting constructive ideas instead of negative comments.
Larry Goolsby

Larry Bussinger <lbussing@…>
12/18/06 #2255

Larry G and Reivers, I'm curious about your swift and strong rebuke of Sharon's opinion. I suspect its because you know that there is a probably a fair number of the uninformed public that share her opinion and that you wished it weren't so. Our discussions on the side and reading between the lines in this forum would seem to reflect that. Hence our desire to start dialog with the Sheriff's office and Coast Guard. However she has a right to express her opinion without being attacked. I don't agree with her opinion either, but we still need to hear it or we make decisions on invalid or restricted input. Be a bit kinder or you will stifle input.
Larry B

Dale McKinnon
12/18/06 #2256

As a grandmother (first), and as a seeker of solitude and adventure on the water (second), I agree with Larry's rejoinder to Sharon.

Please excuse the preacherliness of the following…

For occasional readers or infrequent contributors of this group's email threads, understand that these are world-class athletes (Olympic athletes and national champions). If you are an occasional paddler, a sea kayaker or surfski newbie, you may understand a small bit of what these men and women (yep, national champions and record holders there, too) are trying to do: Push back their envelopes and challenge themselves. They are not “thrillseekers.” I know it is impossible to view the world from any other level than your own eye, but they were trying to push back the technical skills envelope. Mostly what people have seen is that two men out on the water called the CG via VHF to be pulled out when they realized the force of the wind wouldn't allow them to turn into the near shore but instead pushed them further into the Bay. The truth is, the CG was already on training patrol and welcomed the opportunity to exercise their skills, which is the reason they videotaped the basket recovery… But, there were two other members of whatcom paddlers group that day, a man and a woman that waved off an offer of help from the CG and continued into the north shore to have tea with one of the residents. Of course, you haven't heard about them (briefly). They were completely prepared for the conditions and their skill sets matched the demands of Mother Nature on the afternoon of November 11. Becoming adept in Ma Nature and all that she has to offer does not happen by sitting on yer arse. And you can't win national titles and break records by dipping your paddle in two-foot chop. You have to work hard and challenge yourself. Adrenaline is a necessary part of being excellent. Even Tiger Woods knows this.. and he's a golfer. But beyond all that, is the pure love for the sport and the water. Driving your car on I-5 increases your chances of premature death by 1000%.

It is time for a dinner at Boundary Bay or someone's house to celebrate the group and its remarkable comraderie, and to discuss moving forward into 2007. The spring racing season will be starting soon. It's time to move past the reactionary comments which only register emotion and contribute little to implement constructive, life-affirming plans. I know whereof I speak. Amen. (Where's the swelling music?)

Dale McKinnon

Re: safety
Michael Hammer <michaelhammer62@…>
12/18/06 #2257

Reivers,

While Sharon's perspective is not one that I share, I do respect her right to self expression. As was indicated in previous postings, this event has gained widespread attention. Perhaps there are others that share her view. Can this be addressed somehow, or does it not matter? Is education the key?

As you know, I am one of the crisis response folks of which you speak. I do enjoy my job. We practice high angle, low angle, water, confined space, haz-mat, vehicle extrication, wildland, EMS, firefighting and other skills. Jacks of all trades and masters of none. And yes, these skills get practiced away from work. We generally refer to rescued individuals as “patients” and not “victims”. These two terms conjure up different pictures in peoples minds. “Patient” is viewed as more positive.

Mike

Larry Goolsby

12/18/06 #2263

Paddlers….As a moderator of this site I felt that I needed to intervene when someone posted that as a paddler they were embarrassed by our actions. What if every time someone posted an incident, other members were quick to criticize and post their thoughts. I know if I posted the incident on Thanksgiving Day and you guys shunned me for it, I would think twice about posting another incident. We are all entitled to our opinions but if members start chastising other members, it will cause other members to refrain from posting their incidents. We need these incidents because this is a relatively new sport and we are still learning our limitations. We have 112 members now and I suspect that there are a considerable amount of members that don't race or paddle an outrigger or surfski. You have to understand that we like to go fast. We steal power from the wind, waves, boat wakes and each other. If this doesn't sound like the same sport that you are involved in, then maybe you are logged into the wrong site. We need to hear about these incidents in order to make this sport safer for everyone.
Larry Goolsby

Re: Rolling into Boundry Bay / Solstice Paddle?
Reivers Dustin
12/18/06 #2269

Holy moly. I can't keep up with all the stuff being posted. First of all, I must have been crazy to post an immediate reply to Sharon's comment. I understand now, after reading LG's message, that I felt some threat to this group. But this quit being “mine” a long time ago - it's bigger than me. Paraphrasing Will Rogers, I should try to take more opportunities to shut up.

It has also helped that I've received several personal emails from people in support. They are some great contributions from people in similar situations. The sport is in it's infancy and sometimes you feel a little “out there” with things you want to do. (I don't feel at liberty to put their messages out in public.) But I encourage this wide diversity of comments. You who are not the big strong super fast paddlers are the critical mass of this group. Please indulge me: put your comments out here.

David mentioned Mickey as permanent President. This man is a piece of local history that should not be lost. He was the Wednesday nighter. All by himself for many years in fact. His openness and love of the sport were the door for many of us locals that followed. I remember a past president of WAKE who was a strong member of the local emergency response team being really upset with Mickey. But then, he didn't quite understand what Mickey was doing.

Everything is working out rather well when you consider it.

rd