The Power of Information

Kayak fishing is beginning to grow by leaps and bounds in the Northwest.  Membership in NWKA has grown by a full 25% in just over a year now. 
One of the most important and utilized features of the NCKA sister site to the north has been the Safety Forum.  With average summer ocean temps in the high 40's to low 50's dressing for immersion is a popular topic.

Unfortunately, not everyone finds us in time....

http://www.salem-news.com/articles/june242009/death_clatsop_6-24-09.php

Over the weekend, I spoke with one of the beach patrol officers for the stretch on which this unfortunate individual was found. His 1st words for me were "You know what you're doing out there?" and then went on to tell me that he doesn't want to see another dead kayak fisher wash up on the beach.
I asked for some more info. to share on the NWKA site and he told me that the guy had bought his kayak 10 days prior to his death. He also said that he believes the guy was fishing ,though they never recovered his rod. According to the officer, it was definitely a Sit on Top yak and though the gentleman was wearing a PFD, he was not dressed for immersion.
Later in the day, I sat on the beach watching as a pair of gentlemen who were barely dressed for the conditions (shorties and no PFDs) tried to figure out how to paddle and beach land a Cobra Tandem. One managed to climb back in after a huli, the other swam in.....  I sure hope they find their way to the NWKA Safety Forum soon.

-Spot-

I asked Spot to share this story here.  Thanks Spot.  We've been hearing/seeing more and more unprepared people hitting the beaches.  And results like this really, really bum me out.

Repeat after me ... DRESS FOR IMMERSION.

-Allen

Thanks for posting.

+1.     Some people know better but just want to pretend they're in Hawaii or something. I would rather be a little hot sitting on the yak, than hypothermic treading water when things go to hell in a handbasket.

thanks for sharing Spot.  You are singing my song.

Allen

i still regularly see well seasoned kayakfishing veterans under/inappropriately dressed on the water. cotton t-shirts and hoodies are common. i dont say anything unless i know them really well. maybe we need to check ourselves before we wreck ourselves.

Repeat after me ... DRESS FOR IMMERSION. DRESS AS IF YOU HAVE TO SWIM BACK ALL THE WAY BACK TO SHORE

There, fixed it for you.


Imagine:

You're two miles out from your launch on the Big Sur coast, and your Wilderoceancobrahobie Angler edition has suffered a catastrophic crack in the hull. Sure, you've got auxiliary flotation, but it's barely enough to keep you upright with your torso out of the water. Water comes in as fast as you can bail. No way you're going to be able to paddle back. You and your partners radios seems to be working, but no one is answering your Maydays. Not really all that surprising though, what with the coastline being what it is down there. About an hour after noticing that your boat was floundering, you decide that you need to abandon it.  So you and your buddy take turns towing the other back to the only safe landing, two miles away. Because of wind/weather/drag of towing, you effectively are making about half a mile an hour headway. Total, 5 hours of being pretty darn cold and wet...


Scott

Thanks Scott!!   

-Allen

Repeat after me ... DRESS FOR IMMERSION. DRESS AS IF YOU HAVE TO SWIM BACK ALL THE WAY BACK TO SHORE

There, fixed it for you.


Scott

I couldn't have said it better myself!  Thanks!

Thanks Scott!!   

-Allen

Allen - I hope you understand that my "fixed it for you" comment was meant to be tongue in cheek, as I forgot to punctuate with a smiley. I know that you know that "immersion" means more than a 4-5 minute dip while performing a self rescue.

Scott

Thanks Scott!!   

-Allen

Allen - I hope you understand that my "fixed it for you" comment was meant to be tongue in cheek, as I forgot to punctuate with a smiley. I know that you know that "immersion" means more than a 4-5 minute dip while performing a self rescue.

Scott

Yeah Scott ... I knew exactly what you meant.

-Allen