Larry Goolsby
10/10/10 #9372

Yesterday's epic conditions more or less signaled the beginning of storm paddling season in the Northwest. However, despite the high winds, the air and water temperature were not as cold as what we will see in the near future. I believe that at least 3 to 4 groups did a downwinder from Larabee.

This year, quite a few experienced and lesser experienced paddlers acquired fat boats. These are great for storm paddling only if your skill level is adequate. I have done several downwinders from Larabee and here are some important points to consider:

1. The conditions after you leave Larabee will either get better or will worsen. Maybe you can handle the current conditions, but if the wind increases another 10 to 20 mph, can you handle it then? Reivers and I once left Wildcat Cove in 25-30 mph winds. When we were passing Chukanut Bay, winds increased to 50+. We ended up calling in a rescue on an intermediate paddler.

2. Understand that a downwinder is not the same conditions that you get off of Marine Park. You can NOT pick a less choppy line when you do a downwinder. You have to ride the big stuff or swim.

3. If the SE wind is blowing, that area outside of Chuckanut Bay becomes very technical. If the SW wind is blowing, the cliffs both north and south of Chuckanut Bay become technical. These areas are where 99% of the mishaps happen.

4. Leashes, Leashes, and Leashes. This summer I started using two leashes: one ankle to boat and one paddle to boat. Don't trust one leash. I broke my paddle leash almost two years ago and swam for the railroad tracks. Shit happens. Wear two leashes. (Ed. Note - In contrast to Larry's otherwise sound advise, this one is questionable (probably just outdated). Having a paddle leash? No problem, but two leashes both attached to your boat is not necessary or advisable (entanglement). There is no reason for one leash to boat to be inadequate if you get a bomb proof leash (they do exist) - see Leashes )

5. Can you remount in any conditions? If you can't answer this question, then you can't. You need to pick an area near shore that gets very mixed up and make a few attempts. Like off the drydock in a SW wind. I found my remounting skills in San Francisco bay 5 years ago. I was just off Pt. Bonita. This is much worse than I will ever experience in Bellingham. Another great testing ground is 'The Gorge'. If you can paddle Swell City on a big day, you can paddle most anywhere. Great thing about the gorge is warm water and a bank on each side of you.

6. Can you call for help? If your buddy gets into trouble, can you call for someone to save him? Is your calling device waterproof or water resistant or neither? A great test is to try calling out and listening to your radio in 50 mph winds with waves crashing nearby (Post Point). I find that it is near impossible to hear what is coming out of my radio. Now I use a VHS with GPS. It has a special button (Ed if your VHF radio has DSC and you have input your MMSI number ). Push it and it calls the Coast Guard and requests that they come save my ass and where they can find my ass. No need for me to speak.

7. Clothing. You are not racing, you are storm paddling. Don't dress like you are afraid of overheating. Dress like you are going swimming in the bay. From experience, I can swim for probably 25 to 30 minutes. However, after that period of time, my hands and feet are so cold that I can't feel them. You can't hold a paddle or feel your foot pedals when this happens. Balancing a boat becomes way more difficult.

8. Have a buddy with you. Not 500 feet away with his back to you. Yesterday, Shaun and I did a downwinder and stayed tight until the conditions diminished. We were so close that we could speak to each other. A buddy is not buddy when he is way ahead with his back to you. Also, don't pick someone to do a downwinder with unless you KNOW FOR SURE that they can handle any possible conditions. During the Lemming run of 2009, two top paddlers bailed along the route. At least they knew enough to bail.

Anybody else have anything they want to add?
LG

Re: Storm Paddling Season is here - Beware…….
dnjacobson79
10/10/10 #9373

Larry,
Thank you for posting and bringing this topic up and I think it's great that to get this topic that is near and dear of many of us.

1. It's not summer any more and yesterday was a mild to moderate day of storm paddling. If it looks good at one point , it can change moments later for a brief period of time, it you can't handle those changes, you shouldn't be on the water. My baseline is don't consider going out in a small craft advisory day if you're not at the standard of feeling OK at Swell City when that's going off - and then still consider what's all going on. Have all the good gear and safety stuff is good, but does not replace gear and good judgment.

2. I think it's up to us as a group to say something to folks when you feel the situation is not Kosher. I'm not saying tie their boat back down and be confrontational, but say something, at least that starts a conversation or thought process. I was involved in a whitewater accident a number of years ago in which nobody in the group told the individual in question that the conditions on this day were not right. After 30min of failed rescue and putting the other paddlers at risk trying to attempt the rescue, we had to call it and wait 5 hours for the water to drop for body recovery. I walked away from that experience having learned it's better to say something in action sports when a bad outcome is possible to prevent. Not going out on big days is a good call if you're not ready, and there are days that this is true for everyone.

3. I moved here right after the local surf ski death, and working in the ER and am reminded of it frequently. I'd say the surf ski reputation in the community as a whole has improved since the time I moved here, but it we continue to have close calls and bad situations, our sport will suffer in many ways.

I think he need we as a group need to do a better job of preventing bad situations if we want to continue to enjoy out sport and have it grow.

DJ

Re: Storm Paddling Season is here - Beware…….
David Scherrer
10/10/10 #9375

A couple extra ideas in regards to rough water paddling.

I have always thought that positioning the anchor for the boat leash towards the stern of the ski makes the most sense. So when one does fall out the boat it wont not pull with lateral force, also the line does not get in the way. I use a small metal cleat riveted with backing through the deck.

This requires a hatch in the area behind the seat. I prefer this arrangement because it allows me to do a number of additional things. Besides access to the stern to attach the leash, I can place a water system in the bottom of the boat with hose going through the deck. This arrangement also adds stability. In addition for those of us that were still a little unsure of our inner ear performance while we were getting our introduction to big seas, placing a 4 lb or so lead weight in the bilge of the boat can help. Hold it in with heavy duty velcro. Believe me, this extra weight in the bilge can help and does little to effect your speed. Larry B. can testify to this..remember SF Bay in 02?( Sea Trec Regatta)

Two other points.
Have you tried attaching the paddle leash to the front of the life jacket?

When I was out a lot on the bay I took along a paddle float, for those times when one may get tired trying to remount the ski. Make a huge difference, could also help a buddy who is in distress. Inflatable float comes with clip to attach to the read deck elastic cords. Lays totally flat when not in use and rarely gets in the way.

So there you go. See you on the water.

D.