RBCII The Day After!!!

[Sledge]

This happened to US...Don't let it happen to you!!!

Well sunday rolls around lots of people have left or are making for home... Joe (bloodbath) wants to get a little fishing in, so we do a "Big Fish" bet $100.00 yeah baby show me the money!!! We load up, gear up and had to the Fort.  It's early afternoon, we see one person out there it's AuburnTroutDude!!!  We roll into the parking area and see his wifey doing an oil painting on the grass "girls got skills" and she tells us to give ATD the "word" time to come in... So we begin our little adventure, unload wheel out and get busy...

Joe goes over and talks with ATD and I start fishing!!!  Joe comes back over and I hook one...he tries and plays like he doesn't see my fish...what ever Joe... we decide to go north and fishing sort of sucks...sort of like the day before except not as much wind...  I have Joe swap rides with me so he can try out my new ride... no yard sales!!!  as were swapping back we realize his OK is filling up with water, he had removed a FF recently and didn't plug the holes back up... no biggy we will deal with it...well it's taking on water A LOT of water... many things could have happened but this is what did...we decide that I'm going to pull him in so I come along side him and he grabs the back of my yak...now I start peddling in and the rudder all the way isn't turning us...so I'm tell him to let go and I will come back around and get a better tack so we can get around a bunch of sea weed... Joe let's go of his ride and scrambles up on mine and I jump off so we wouldn't lose my gear!!!  Joe is wearing 3mm  I'm wearing 7 mm he is already getting slightly hypothermic, starting to get the chills...well the thought of saving his ride was in my head and when I told him we should he made the choice to leave his ride behind...sad looking back at the "Bloodbath Machine" listing and starting to become what all kayaks become with out proper floation (PoolNoodles) in them a freaking Anchor!!!   Io I volunteer to be pulled back in...tide is going out and there's kelp everywhere...Joe is Paddleling his soul out and I'm trying to get him to peddle...well in that scenario that's all he knew...so I rode behind...thank god I wore my 7mm suit!!! Sun went down and the moon came up!!! and we were still trying to get in... Joe is paddling so hard he starts puking...not good...well 2.5 hrs into it I'm starting to get cold and I ask Joe "what's the limit of time when people die from cold water exposure???" I'm wanting to switch it up and peddle him for a bit...getting really freaking cold, but I can still manage...Joe's' having none of that... now ya think I would've been fearfull or worried but I'm laughing and what is really strange I felt a kind of bliss and Told Joe that if we were to Die right this moment I would be a happy man... really strange to be feeling so good and I'm sure he thought I was losing it...  But hey I'm with a Bro I'm @ the fine line of it...and I felt great...I had confidence in my equipment I was dressed for it...had vhf, flares, whistle, compus, numerous safety gear so I wasn't that worried...My yak had Noodles in it...the only thing I didn't have was my feet on the ground or my butt in my yak...

Now we finally make it on to TERRA FIRMA and Joe collapsed I try to stand up and fall down, try to stand again and fall down, try again and FALL down...so I crawl over and drag my yak up onto dry ground and crawl over to check on JOE...he's shaking and cold, I lay down beside him and we lay there for 20 minutes or so, I even hear him start to snore...  we were exhausted beyond I still have cramps in my legs 2 days later!!!  Finally we revive our selves enough to walk up to the parking lot...Joe heads up the Hill and I get everything ready to load...it was a long wait!!! seemed like an hour later Joe drives back down...gets out and says "they gave me a F'n parking ticket"  I told him that the biggest fish ching should go for that!!!  Joe's next comment was "But I'm alive" "Thanks Bro"

What a freaking adventure...one I could do without...lessons learned wear either 7mm suit or dry suit, and pack you sh^t with noodle's than open the hatch fill with water and see what happens...I will guarantee that if you don't have any type of floation devices IT WILL SINK!!!  Also make sure you have all your holes plugged...If you think it won't happen to you better get into a different hobby because "SHIT HAPPENS" and when you least expect it to IT WILL!!!  I want to Thank Joe for paddling us in with all his heart and SOUL!!!

And in the Pay it Forward section I'm starting a thread to get Bloodbath a new ride...I'm down for the first 25...NovotoDave is in for the 2'nd he showed up yesterday after getting home and realizing he left his wetsuit @ the Barn!!!

PS we did get pictures but his camera died OTW...and believe me "it happened"  So read and learn don't let it happen to you!!!

per ALs request:So after talking with Mike he suggests we go ahead with using my PayPal account for the collections.

You can also send a check to my home address:

D. Alain Satre
110 Lorenzo Ln
Boulder Creek, CA 95006

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY IF YOU PLAN ON USING PayPal!!!

Please  be *SURE* to mark all PayPal transactions as a *GIFT*!

This way they wont take a 3% fee for the transaction.

ALSO: Please put a comment with your NCKA handle in the transaction!

That way I'll know whom to thank for helping our brother out 

PayPal Address is:  paypal@satrefamily.com

Please PM me if you have any questions.

Mike, or some Mod, can you copy this text to the original post?  Thanks!!!

[Tote]

Glad you guys made it.
I PM'd Joe before all this happened telling him that at next years RBC it should be mandatory everyone have a PFD...No PFD automatic DQ.
Sh!T DOES happen. Just didn't think it would happen right after. Freaky.
I am curious how the FF was mounted so when it was removed there were holes to allow that much water. Having a tough time visualizing it.
I am sure a lot of peeps will chime in about safety gear.
I bet this tale will be told for years to come.
Good lesson for all.
Once again, glad you guys were able to tell the story.

[9erfan]

Insane!!! Im glad you kooks made it back. I will be loading up on noodles ASAP! Count me in for $25. Just let me know where to send it.
You don't think you both could have fit in your Revo? Joe in back you in the seat? You peddle he paddles?
Just courious. Again, glad you both made it back!!!

Anthony

[KayakJames]

That blows... Was there any chance for a T rescue?

[porky]

spooky, glad your both safe!

[rshu]

Holy kayak batman! Glad you guys are both safe and lived to tell the tale... good lessons learned here, thanks for sharing.

I'm in for $25 as well...lets get Joe a new ride!

Roger

[AlsHobieOutback]

OMG... Joe, Mike, so glad you guys are OK!!!    That's one HELL of a story, and I just got the re-cap after I called Mike, very very scary situation to be in. Cant believe they wrote you a ticket, but didn't think to send out search and rescue.  Going to pickup a TON of pool noodles for my yaks...  Sounds like that Hobie saved both your guys asses!

Joe, my brother, WE HAVE YOUR BACK!  After all that you have done for NCKA, I'd be proud to help get you a new yak!    Will start a new thread in the PIF section for anyone that wants to help out Joe!

[Mooch]

link for : Pay it Forward for Joe

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,33792.0.html

[Darius]

My heart was pumping reading it, I thought I was on the edge of my seat
Glad both Of you are OK.. no more sledging for you! Put me in on the collection for
Joes new kayak let me know.

[lapulapu]

Wow what a freaky predicament you guys were in.  Glad to hear you guys are fine.   

Rey

[Sailfish]

Just curious why didn't you use your marine radio to hail for help?

[MANBEARPIG]

  DOODS!  WTF!! Yall have big hearts and bigger balls! Im glad yall stuck together and played like a good team. AND that SLEDGE got that hobie in oregon, instead of getting the better deal in CALI!!! It's a F#$%#ng miracle bro, the world works in mysterious ways.........

[tiny]

Great job getting back in Joe and Sledge.I'm in on Joes new ride.Glad you guys are O.K.

[racinrob]

Did you report the sinking in case it washes up? They won't be looking for someone.

Glad you guys are OK.  Scary story.

[iroelikethat]

Whoa! Shit DOES happen! many things come to mind....first and foremost...glad you guys are okay..close 2nd,,,what was the Bac level at launch? (probably what kept you warm on the inside, lol)... turbo fins/big rudder!I really like Anthony's tandem solution.. what does Joe weigh? 125? move the gear to in side the hatch?...hobies have an extra paddle ... pool noodles (puttin in mine tonight)...marine goop!!. Pawn Pawn! MAY DAY MAYDAY holy Fing S**T. that is just crazy! who the hell when out without a life jacket? good news..  I have a 20% coupon for Mel cotton's and I know one of the managers....im sure we could get a deal. (but you better be getting a hobie, beeeoooothhhch) sledge and bloodbath laying on the beach in the moonlight... priceless!  joe.... you just got SLEDGED!