Fatality in Mendo -- Russian Gulch

Don't know exactly what happened to the dad here, but just a tough reminder of the importance of wearing the right clothing/wetsuit/life-jacket/safety-gear.

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/man-dies-after-kayak-capsizes-in-mendocino-county-lifeguard-and-son-pull-h/

Very sad story.  My wife and I frequently launch our Oasis tandem kayak from the Russian Gulch.
Since this is such an easy launch spot, I run into many people who are not ready for the open ocean.
I typically ask, "May I offer you some safety tips."  People are wearing no PFD, wearing waders, no wet or drysuit...

I hope we can have an annual safety/self-rescue training day to help new kayakers at several locations.

Paul

Well said Paul.

With what you see out there it’s surprising it doesn’t happen more often

Very sad and my thoughts goes out to that family! Wish people thought about their safety a lot more! How stupid they both were being out there with no life jackets! If you are not prepared for being in the cold water when on a kayak you’re flipping a coin on if it’s your day to die. Flipping a kayak or being knocked out of your kayak isn’t a if it happens thing, it’s a when it happens thing. I just hope when it does happen to you, you are prepared and are wearing proper safety gear and clothing for the water temps you’re in. Also practice self water rescue! It’s way different getting back in your kayak on the ocean with all the waves then a lake so please practice in both scenarios. I have flipped my kayak with my 8 year old daughter. Lucky the water was 81 degrees, we were both prepared and practiced getting back into the kayak. It could have been much worse like this story if we weren’t ready.