Rescue at high sea

I was on Ocean View Blvd in Pacific Grove on Monday - early afternoon or so.  We were watching these 2 kayakers paddling right near Hopkins.  They were about 100 yards or so offshore when one of them fell off their kayak.  The guy in the water was wearing a pfd no wetsuit.  The water was super calm, there was no wind and the water temp was probably about 58-59 degrees.  The guy made a few attempts to get back in his yak but was unable.  The other yakker tried to stabilize the yak but they were not able to get him back into his boat. 

The felled yakker stayed in the water for what seemed to be about 30 minutes until the coast guard arrived.  When he came to shore he was obviously very cold.  He was maybe about 40 and, from appearances, in average physical condition.  Maybe the shock from the cold water prevented him from getting back in his yak (which looked to me to be a shallow plastic SIT but I was not close enough to tell for sure) . . even though 58-59 is not that cold  . .not sure.  Whatever the reason . .I am sure he wished he had a wetsuit on.  Then this would have been a mere inconveniance instead of a possibly costly (if they charge him) rescue and ride to emergency room wrapped in a blanket.  I think he was most likely a renter from Adventures By The Sea . . somebody else on the shore told me they don't give you a wetsuit when you rent there . . .I don't know, personally.

Something to consider, anyway.  I know a lot of sane people who yak out here without a suit but I won't even though I am pretty sure I would've been fine in the above situation without a suit on.  Each person has to decide for themselves  - but here is some more info to consider.

I've been getting lazy myself, and so, I've been wearing my dry pants instead of a farmer john wetsuit BUT I still wear a neoprene rash guard made by mysterioso on top with a wind breaker JUST IN CASE I do fall in. I also tend to stay nearshore when I'm only wearing my dry pants. If I plan to paddle even further out, (for salmon) I'd defintely wear my farmer johns - no doubt 

Gotta respect the ocean - no matter how calm it may seem 

thats got to be chilly. i think even the most in shape person can be knocked down by the cold waters but people should always be prepared and wear at least a shorty or farmer johns to keep coretemps warmer. also, people should practice getting in and out of a yak before going out on one. if they were way far out that guy could have been frozen seafood.

** here comes the jaws tune.....*

I had a similar experience a few years ago while sailing along the Monterey waterfront.  We we going downwind on our way back to the harbor when we spotted a kayaker in the water separated from his kayak.  I do not recall if he had a PFD or not but we offered to pick him up.  He first refused then as we passed he changed his mind.  We did a quick circle and executed a classic man-overboard rescue.  The guy was blue and shivering in only his swim trunks.  We gave him a blanket and headed over toward his kayak I think one of his buddies had rescued the paddle.  Anyway we were planning to bring him back with us but he had other things in mind.  As soon as we got close to his rented kayak, he jumped overboard and indicated that he would be OK now.  We are experienced sailors and kayakers in both the ocean and SF bay and know how dangerous the cold water can be.  We were amazed that anyone would rent a kayak and not insist on also providing a wetsuit or other protection.  I believe that it was Adventures by the Sea that was the rental company.  My wife did followup with a phone call or two and scolded the kayak rental place for not providing better equipment and information but we never leared anymore about what happended beyond that.

I guess they still have a lot to learn.  I hope that no one has to pay the ultimate price for this shortsighted and probably negligent action on behalf of the rental company.