If the OG'S aren't doing it why am I?

Know your limits as a "kayaker". I've rescued a kayak fishermen a few years ago who paddled out into the Bay and didn't have the strength to paddle back because the wind, tide and chop picked up all of a sudden. (I had a tow rope and paddled him back to the launch)

If you go out on your own, be prepared for the worse case scenario - especially when paddling in the more remote areas like Big Sur. Your safety gear (radio,compass,whistle....ect) and presence of mind will save your life.

Just my 2 cents.

If you are confident in your own abilities to take care of yourself, then go out solo.

If you are not confident in your own abilities to take care of yourself, then you should NOT be out there, solo or with a group.

I go out with others, not because I rely on them for my own safety, but because I enjoy their company.  And most of the time we're not within range of each other that we can effectively help each other if needed.  Don't get me wrong, if something goes bad I'll be there for you.  

-Allen

"A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacle should be placed in their path; let them take risk, for God sake, let them get lost, sun burnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches-that is the right and privilege of any free American."

                                                         --Edward Abbey--

+1

I end up going it alone alot, I'm 3 to 4 hrs from the ocean and sometimes the reports are sketchy . When i get there I asses whether it is doable for me and for how long . If I can't save myself I'm sure as hell not going out and risking someone else.

If you are confident in your own abilities to take care of yourself, then go out solo.

If you are not confident in your own abilities to take care of yourself, then you should NOT be out there, solo or with a group.

that there is plain&simple-true math everyone should know. = no beating around the PC bush there. 

"(I had a tow rope and paddled him back to the launch)"

what a guy eh?

"(I had a tow rope and paddled him back to the launch)"

what a guy eh?

check your PM

 

Mooch if you ever see me out there looking like that just let me go

Not sure I would've been towing somebody in that situation, maybe just give them change for the phone booth when they hit shore in Richmond or where ever


I had a funny one like that up at Stinson

I had my head down pounding it out into a headwind and looked over and saw a crab buoy passing me like I was standing still, looked up and realized I was going backwards

Mooch if you ever see me out there looking like that just let me go

Paul, how about I knock you out with my paddle, steal your kayak AND THEN leave you out there 

I can see it now...  sipping beers on the beach, grilling up some grub, talking about how "It was just his time...  It's too bad, really".

If you are not confident in your own abilities to take care of yourself, then you should NOT be out there, solo or with a group.

I think this says it pretty well. I wouldn't go out in conditions I'm not confident with alone, or otherwise.

But, here's the thing. Except for those with a lot of experience, most of us don't know what we don't know. That's what experience is all about. As well, there is the unexpected. A shark, a medical thing, lightening  , things a person just can't reasonably anticipate.

So, as much as I love being alone on the ocean, I don't risk too much on my own. Like Craig said, it's the family that's left to pick up the pieces if you screw up.


Ben

Little late to the conversation but... if there aren't any OG's out there... there's no fish there... period.

Freddie

Little late to the conversation but... if there aren't any OG's out there... there's no fish there... period.

Freddie

Except for the day I slayed a 53inchWSB.

Right-on Mooch !! , some people may joke about it but I applaud you brother. You went out of your way,busted your ass in the wind and jeopordized your own safety to help out a brother in need.That's what brotherhood is all about !!
That's what NCKA is all about !!  

 

Little late to the conversation but... if there aren't any OG's out there... there's no fish there... period.

Freddie

I thought that if there are OG's out there, they probably already got all the good fish.

Little late to the conversation but... if there aren't any OG's out there... there's no fish there... period.

Freddie

Except for the day I slayed a 53inchWSB.

If the shoe fits ...

-Allen

If you are confident in your own abilities to take care of yourself, then go out solo.

If you are not confident in your own abilities to take care of yourself, then you should NOT be out there, solo or with a group.

that there is plain&simple-true math everyone should know. = no beating around the PC bush there. 

+1 with Allen and Adam

I go solo on the ocean from time to time and enjoy the solitude. I even did a solo moonlight paddle recently and it was really cool. All that said, 3 kayak anglers died this year in Norcal and all 3 were paddling alone in bad conditions. One died on the rockfish opener at Big Sur. I was down there that day with an experienced crew and none of us thought it was safe to launch and drove home. The point here is that even if he had a buddy, he probably would have died, probably 2 dead. Having a buddy will not save you from lack of skill and poor judgement in many situations.

One last comment on the buddy issue. In a worst case scenario, a crew of 3 has a lot more rescue options compared to a crew of 2. Depending on the height and weight of your buddy and what kind of yak you are paddling, you may not be able to paddle with another person on board in the offshore ditch scenario or a medical emergency.