Surfski Knowledge Base

Erik Borgnes
12/16/06 #2244

Some comments from the peanut gallery:

There is a fine line between the perception of wrecklessness and that of extreme skill as seen in an alpinist like Ed Viesteurs (sp?). The trick is to get that experience and skill while looking better or more skilled or safer to the public than you really are. The problem with ski paddling is that we tend to “go up the mountain” during a storm. You'd never find Ed Viesteurs doing the same. The only way around that problem is to educate the public / Coasties that surf is the idea, not flatwater.

If the Coasties raise some concern for plucking live paddlers off the water, it's probably going to amount to less than if they plucked dead paddlers off the water.

You folks in Bellingham are some of the most prepared paddlers safety-wise out there. You are also probably a denser group ( in # of ski paddlers per area) than in any other US locale, so chances are that you'll have more “mishaps” if you look at numbers of incidents only.

It wasn't too long ago when most all you Bellingham paddlers (me included) only paddled when it was flat and would never venture out in conditions that you now look forward to. As a group, you are just finding your limits and discovering how you'll approach / handle the stronger storm conditions in terms of rules, intentions.

I don't know if you all have held group rescue training in the storm conditions in a controlled situation. It wouldn't be too much fun to intentionally dump your ski in cold storm waves, but until you've done it many times without assistance, you can't really say that you're prepared. Situations that I would practice would be the obvious solo capsize recovery until it's really easy, live paddler recovery (i.e. ski blew away and the “in water” paddler needs to get on the rear deck of another ski to be towed in), cold water swim in paddling gear (how many of us really know if we can make that 200 yd swim to shore in winter storm waves?) Practice dumping out of the ski and radio'ing to someone on shore to see how easy (or hard) that really is. Dump out of the ski while using a paddle leash, let go of the paddle, and see if you really can swim faster than your ski is blowing. You can't? maybe switch to a leg leash in those conditions. And, obviously, these all need to be practiced in storm conditions as they are about the only conditions that these situations will arise, right? Part of the objective of the practice would be in gaining the skills and knowing everyone's limits. The other part would be in gaining self-confidence which is probably just as important as panic will sink you out there. It could also be great PR with the Coasties and the local community to have a big controlled practice on the water during the next storm I would think. Maybe.

The enigma with the safety gear like a radio is that while you need it, you should never plan to need it. The focus should always be on how to avoid needing it - like the smoke detectors in your house. Reminds me of tree skiing (snow this time). If you focus on the trees, sooner or later you're going to hit one of them. Instead, focus on the empty spaces.

Respectfully,
Erik

Larry Goolsby
12/16/06 #2245

Paddlers…..I have the fear that if we have any more mishaps on the water (2 in 15 days) that the Coasties will dictate to us when we can and can't be on the water. Don't doubt that they can't do this because they can. They recently made Joost get on their boat and 'accept' a ride back in even though he wasn't distressed or in need of assistance. We didn't start having issues (rescues) until we started doing these downwind runs from Larabee to Fairhaven. In both cases the winds increased after paddlers put in at Larabee. So even if you see that the winds are doing 20 mph when you leave, they can become 60 before you get to Post Point. I found that the Bellingham Cold Storage Bay Cam wind gauge cannot be trusted because I have seen 50+ conditions off Post Point and the Bay Cam recorded a max of 39. The shore along Clark's Wall acts like a wind tunnel with these strong southerly winds so you must assume that conditions will be worse than they appear from Marine Park. Before we started doing these down wind runs, we always had to paddle upwind first before we got the ride downwind. If we couldn't get our boats past the Point then we played near the drydock. Maybe it should be that if you can't paddle your boat upwind, you don't go downwind? Skill level is huge safety factor. Only about 10% (or less) of the local paddlers can handle 'almost' anything. However, none of us can handle everything. There are limitations to what all of us can do and not only do you need to know your limitations but your partner needs to know them also. Just don't assume because someone is fast on flatwater that he/she is a good rough water paddler.
Now the partner thing. I am a strong advocate for the buddy system. You may not be able to do much to help your buddy except be a landmark for where the Coast Guard can find him. Reivers and I found this out when we assisted Terry in the first rescue. The buddy system means being within sight of EACH OTHER at all times. Reivers and I are quite good at staying parallel with each other and maintaining eye contact. Too many times I have seen two paddlers together with one over 100 feet in front of the other. If the guy in the rear had a problem the other guy would have no way of knowing. With two paddlers, you have twice the radios and other safety equipment. If you find that you have surfed ahead of your partner, you skip the next couple of waves and allow them to catch up. Not a lot of fun but it helps.
My second to last point is the path that you choose. I think if you do a downwind run, once you pass Govenor's Point, you should be aiming for Post Point. I know that the bigger and better waves are further to the west of Clark's wall but if you want to land at Fairhaven, you need to be reasonably close to Post point when you get that far north. This isn't necessary all the time but when the wind and waves are big, you are better off being near the shore than a 1/2 mile out when you get close to the end of your trip. And another point (it's hard to stop when you are on a roll).

Clothing. There was an event a few years ago in Puget Sound where a kayaker lost his boat in a storm and bobbed around in his drysuit for almost 24 hours before bumping into an island. Even with half a wetsuit (like most of us wear), you will be so cold after 15 minutes in the water that remounting is difficult and balance is near impossible (another lesson learned on Thanksgiving day). We might just have to bite the bullet and start wearing these suits when the conditions get big. Leashes? We have already beat this issue to a pulp so enough said.
Larry G.

Pmarcus
12/16/06 #2246

I am sure you don't need to hear more…but on the NOAA weather site you can pull up weather stations outside our area and see the highest wind velocity before it gets to the “Bay.” (see what's coming….) for example just the other day with the big blow on the way Astoria and Hoquim had recorded gusts up in the sixties while we had relatively calm Bay conditions…..also if you haven't figured it out yet, our Bay is unique when it blows hard. Wind ripping down the straits from the West and ripping from the South, Southeast across the Skagit flats and act like an air hockey puck boucing off Chuckanut Mountain and can build into the Bay…..this doesn't factor in the rain, which we had a bit of…..all flowing out of the rivers AGAINST the wind building into waves that the “fearsome foursome” saw the other day. The info is always out there, just how you want to read it…….Oh yeah, the Coast Guard will and can send you a bill if they deem it reckless……as for Joost, he was probably just paddling normal in this kind of weather…short sleeves, shorts, no booties and his life jacket strapped to the back of his boat……ya, fur sure, you betcha!!! Happy Holiday's…..Peter

Michael Hammer <michaelhammer62@…>
12/17/06 #2248

Larry and Peter are right on the mark. The Coast Guard does have the option of deferring costs to the rescued. Let's look at some numbers for fun. Note; The following costs are estimates and are for equipment only and do not include people hours or the additional efforts of local agencies involved.

Coast Guard C-130 aircraft ~ $4,244 per hour
CG helicopter ~ $4,400 per hour (H-60 Jayhawk helicopter ~ $7,855 per hour)
CG cutter ~ $1,550 per hour
CG small craft ~ $300 to $400 per hour

I have a copy of a press release from Florida that involved an 8 hour search for a missing “wingsailer”. The search involved one 25 foot rescue boat, two 47 foot rescue boots, three rescue helicopters and one C-130 aircraft. The estimated cost to the taxpayers is around $100,000. Again, this is for equipment only.

As the elite paddlers of a rapidly increasing sport you have an obligation to set the standard for safety. New people coming in to surfskiing are looking to you to set the example.

I believe that standard operating guidelines should be developed in conjunction with the Coast Guard and local agencies to indicate a willingness to address this safety issue. These guidelines should be readily available to everyone. Finally, the guidelines should be strictly followed to develop credibility as experts in the sport.

Mike

Philip Paris-Browne <philippb@…>
12/17/06 #2250

Bellingham Paddlers,
I'm just an inexperienced paddler from rural Australia who has been sitting in on your email conversations for the last year. I am never so amazed at the skill and adventurousness of your group than when the northern winter comes around.
I live on the 34th parallel south of the equator and can't imagine how cold you people must get paddling a surfski in summer, let alone winter. I find that putting a Farmer John on in winter so limiting that I tend to fall in more than ever. Can't imagine what it must be like to balance a ski with a dry suit on.
More seriously, the safety concerns that you are discussing are very important - not just from an individual survival level, but also from a bureaucratic level. Best not to give the pen pushers the opportunity to legislate your activities out of existence
Dr Philip Paris-Browne

Reivers Dustin
12/18/06 #2254

Mike,

I have an allergy to those who preach. Most of the time I'm pretty laid back.

As I've said in earlier discussion: safety nazi's save lives by denying life. Although it's true that some would choose a different death, many would not. If you quietly observe many in the crisis response role, you'll see that these folks enjoy thier work and the inherent risks and practice the mountain climbing/4×4 runs/ etc. away from the job. At the same time these folks (and the public) do not acknowledge the “victims” choices or involvement. This is not a case of paddlers going out there in blue jeans w/o spray skirts.

Please do not place my life in hostage to my death. I choose, not you.

This embarrassed lady does not know me.

rd

Brad Clements
12/18/06 #2258

I am just grateful that I still have the opportunity to paddle these guys.

A learning experience is far better than a funeral.

I look forward to our next paddle,

Brad

Larry Bussinger <lbussing@…>
12/18/06 #2259

Don't you mean paddle “with” these guy's? Or are you starting some new kind of Canadian thing?

Michael Hammer <michaelhammer62@…>
12/18/06 #2261

If these guys like to be paddled, hey, who am I to judge. To each his own, live and let live.

Brad Clements
12/18/06 #2264

Larry,

Thanks for pointing that out. You are correct - paddle with these guys. The Canadian cold must have gotten to my head.

Brad