Careless Miscalculation. Long Swim

I guess I am ready to talk about this now.

Two years ago, fishing by myself at Mill Creek. Navigated ugly weather landing well enough, then dragged kayak out of the reach of waves, so I thought. I walked up to the landing to open my truck, and peeled off top half of my wetsuit.

Chatted with some weird dude for a minute or less, then walked back to carry first load of gear back up to my truck.
KAYAK GONE!!!! wtf wtf wtf wtf.....

Spotted it well past the breaking waves drifting out super fast. 100 yards offshore already.
Effenheimers were blowing off in rapid succession.

I put the wetsuit back on as fast as possible and jumped into the surf. This is when I got absolutely thrashed by a large wave, washing machine style.

Back on the sand. Caught my breath. Kayak is way the hell out there now.

Timed the next set better and dove in for a long swim. I was finally catching up when I started getting tired, still not recovered from wave bashing.
I found a huge circle of kelp to take a breather on. It was like a hammock.

Regrouped and swam the rest of the way to the abandoned boat.
My rods were still in their holders, my FF was still on, and it was like the kayak was ghost fishing. It dawned on me that it had a smoother launch without me on it...

I climbed aboard and realized that the paddle was missing. Searching the swells, I finally saw it and jumped right back in the water for another swim. 25 yards back to the boat was tough with a paddle.

Nobody around to laugh at me when I got back up to the truck. So I just sat there for awhile and laughed by myself. Happy to not drown.

Hey Alex, if it makes you feel any better, I did the same thing a few years ago.  Had to swim for it too.  Oops.

Blimey, that's a lesson for us all.

these are the best of adventures.
everybody swims

Because I did the mile swim as a boy scout, doesn't mean i could do it now. Thanks for the reminder!!! I haven't been out on the ocean yet, but am Looking forward to my first time. Well maybe doing more than looking forward, i cant wait to go out, its kinda like waiting for Christmas as a kid!!!

Badog65

I love long swims!   

but not to retrieve my wayward yak and paddle.   

glad you made it out and in OK. 

Hey, Alex - post some pics of the adventure next time!   

 

Great lesson there. Thanks for sharing so we don't all have to go through that. Oh and good job on recovering your yak. 

-FF

Sick story, first time I've heard that one. Amazing the rods were still in the holders. Doubt I'd try that swim at Mill Creek.