Moss Landing/Elkhorn Slough kayaker dumped by Seal

Here is another reason why "SAFETY" should be your first thought before heading out, and why it is important to not go at it alone.

http://www.kion46.com/mediacenter/[email protected]&navCatId=8

I need me a space blanket!!   thanks for the warning and headsup Ben...a good one!

Here is another reason why "SAFETY" should be your first thought before heading out, and why it is important to not go at it alone.

I do agree with you, Ben, and thanks for posting this.  But here's a scenario:

Willie, the buddy:  "Oh my garsh, Lou, that seal just dumped yer butt in the water!"

Lou:  "Yeah, Willie, but the bad news is I don't have a wetsuit, AND I don't know how to git back on this boat!"...

If the guy had the proper gear for immersion in cold water, and, probably even more importantly, if he knew how to self-rescue, would this have ever made the news at all?

I'm not against the buddy-system, and I sure don't want to curse myself!  But there are many of us who go out solo, and I don't think this guy represented us too well.

It's hard to be someone who always welcomes company but hardly ever has a partner with the flexibility to go when the conditions are right - in Humboldt anyway...   

Can't haul his ass back on the boat, and can't swim over to the bank in Elkhorn Slough (rarely more than 100 yards away), and he's paddling alone. He's not dressed for immersion. I'm guessing the seal spooked him, but I'm skeptical about the seal boarding his boat and capsizing him. Not impossible, but improbable.

That's an embarrassing picture of incompetence. Nice that others were around to help. I feel bad for criticizing harshly, but wtf?

The seals and otters around Moss are much more acclimated to people than those in other locations. I know of a few attempted otter boardings, Mooch has some great pics in the picture forum of an attempted otter boarding. Mooch also came close to capsizing from a seal that came up underneath him.

Wait was this Mooch? 

Wait was this Mooch? 

I don't think they mentioned anything about a lime green speedo... 

Z

I think this is a good time to kick all the eco yakers off the slough and close it to all humans.  We can no longer invade what little space they have left.   







P.S.
OMG.....Olga Ospina 

Was it a territorial attack, or was the seal hungry?

Here is another reason why "SAFETY" should be your first thought before heading out, and why it is important to not go at it alone.

If the guy had the proper gear for immersion in cold water, and, probably even more importantly, if he knew how to self-rescue, would this have ever made the news at all?



Probably not. We do sometimes go at it alone. But, I would hope, especially those on this board would have the proper gear and training to self rescue should they attempt it. 

Willie & Lou scenario 

Ben

I met Olga Ospina at the Mucky Duck a few years ago. She looks better on TV.

Can't believe I missed this story last night, considering all 4 news channels run the exact same stories each night. It kind of looks like an inflatable SOT in the video. Doesn't look like a rental.
PK

Good post Ben - let's hope this guy's mistake will teach others the importance of taking a safety class before venturing out in ANY body of water.

The seals and otters around Moss are much more acclimated to people than those in other locations. I know of a few attempted otter boardings, Mooch has some great pics in the picture forum of an attempted otter boarding. Mooch also came close to capsizing from a seal that came up underneath him.

Wait was this Mooch? 

yep, seals and otters can sometimes be a LITTLE TOO FRIENDLY .......just ask Brian "Blue Jeans" about his encounter with a sea lion 

yep, seals and otters can sometimes be a LITTLE TOO FRIENDLY .......just ask Brian "Blue Jeans" about his encounter with a sea lion 

Very true. I haven't had an otter mess w/ me yet but while surfing I've had seals and dolphin run-ins. The seal nipped a hole in the toe of my bootie (wetsuit shoe, not my ass). Thank huey they were a size and a half too big or he'd have taken a toe. And a dolphin, being playful, hit my foot while flying by and knocked me off my board. Although I saw the pod coming towards me I believe that's the closest I've come to cardiac arrest.

Z

It kind of looks like an inflatable SOT in the video. Doesn't look like a rental.
PK

Have to agree with you Pat looks like an inflateable to me too. Having been in the drink myself I was sure glad that I had all the nesscessary and proper equipment with me and that you fellows taught me the proper way to self rescue. Kind of reminds me of the tourist who gets eaten by a bear or gorged by the Moose while posing for a picture. Mother ocean is enough to handle without throwing in her unpredictable animals into the mix. Have accidentally snag a whale in that very area I was reminded how far down the scale I really am  in a moment of AHH S@#$! Glad the tourist is okay.

Oh by the way to the lurkers on our board, STEP AWAY FROM THAT YAK WITH YOUR HANDS UP! Until you get the proper intro to this sport, Kayaking first fishing second.

Here is another reason why "SAFETY" should be your first thought before heading out, and why it is important to not go at it alone.

I fish in the ocean alone a lot, I'm still here and have never had a problem, so it must be safe. So, that makes it safe cause there is one example where it works. I'd say that trumps your one time, one example.

Kayaks are little bit like swimming that way. If you and your buddy are swimming a bit off the beach and one of you starts to cramp up and have trouble, will the other guy be able to save them. Usually, one of them dies or they both die. My guess is that to a limited extent the same holds true for kayaks. Remember the guy that got attacked by the shark near Davenport Beach, everyone left him to fend for himself!

I'll keep going out alone.  Sorry, but that guy was dumb as $hit.  Most folks on this board are way past that.