GS6 - 5/12/12 - Another Year in the Books - Thank you to all who participated

While I do acknowledge his apology, it would not be so easy for me to forgive and I most certainly will not forgot if had been in Sonny's position.

One can not merely buy forgiveness with monetary restitution; he needs to make it right with ALL who he offended, whatever the penance may be...

I, for one, do not want him around my personal space until I know for certain that apology is genuine and he is good on his word......

While I do acknowledge his apology, it would not be so easy for me to forgive and I most certainly will not forgot if had been in Sonny's position.

One can not merely buy forgiveness with monetary restitution; he needs to make it right with ALL who he offended, whatever the penance may be...

I, for one, do not want him around my personal space until I know for certain that apology is genuine and he is good on his word......

Spot on

i agree with g-whiz maybe some AA dude. Ive done my fair share of black out drinkin an ive never tried throwin some one into a fire.  Personally makes me a little uneasy to be around camp fires if hes around an drinking in the group area.

I have been reluctant to post based upon my close friendship with Sonny.  However, and I make no accusations here. Alcoholism is a devastating disease, especially when left untreated.  I'm not in a position to diagnose, but I have seen the symptoms.  If this is a one-time situation, it has a chance of being corrected.  If not,..............   I share Glen's concerns for personal safety but I guess time will tell very quickly. 

I know something about drinking too much, I have been there myself. Day 6. Drunken behavior is something that should not be tolerated, beyond being a little goofy. When someone is going to get hurt, it becomes a problem.

I quit because I became allergic to alcohol. I started breaking out in handcuffs regularly.

 It takes what it takes for the sincere bottom of the gut desire. How we get there is vast and sometimes not pretty at all.

Respect to both of you for quiting and more respect for openly talking about it!

Anthony,

I am glad your OK man! I was yelling to you right before you got taken at that wash rock. Myself and backeastfreak barely noticed you and tried to yell for you to get out of that area just seconds prior. I went to grab my radio to try'n contact you, at that point it was too late, all I seen was whitewater and the bottoms of your feet. I then radio'd in the distress call and began alerting fellow paddlers around me. I was just glad that I noticed you when I did, 5 seconds later I never would of seen you. I don't think anybody else saw you go over and we might have never known, especially if you got really worked.
Anthony, please be more careful next time, know you're location at all times and always, always, always have a radio on you if you leave your team, especially in the fog.

Sonny, I am sorry you lost your gear. I have a bag of jig heads and swim baits for you, please pm me your address. Mike

Anthony,

I am glad your OK man! I was yelling to you right before you got taken at that wash rock. Myself and backeastfreak barely noticed you and tried to yell for you to get out of that area just seconds prior. I went to grab my radio to try'n contact you, at that point it was too late, all I seen was whitewater and the bottoms of your feet. I then radio'd in the distress call and began alerting fellow paddlers around me. I was just glad that I noticed you when I did, 5 seconds later I never would of seen you. I don't think anybody else saw you go over and we might have never known, especially if you got really worked.
Anthony, please be more careful next time, know you're location at all times and always, always, always have a radio on you if you leave your team, especially in the fog.

Sonny, I am sorry you lost your gear. I have a bag of jig heads and swim baits for you, please pm me your address. Mike

Just Curious:

If you were close enough to see them flip, why didn't you attempt a rescue?

Anthony,

I am glad your OK man! I was yelling to you right before you got taken at that wash rock. Myself and backeastfreak barely noticed you and tried to yell for you to get out of that area just seconds prior. I went to grab my radio to try'n contact you, at that point it was too late, all I seen was whitewater and the bottoms of your feet. I then radio'd in the distress call and began alerting fellow paddlers around me. I was just glad that I noticed you when I did, 5 seconds later I never would of seen you. I don't think anybody else saw you go over and we might have never known, especially if you got really worked.
Anthony, please be more careful next time, know you're location at all times and always, always, always have a radio on you if you leave your team, especially in the fog.

Sonny, I am sorry you lost your gear. I have a bag of jig heads and swim baits for you, please pm me your address. Mike

Just Curious:

If you were close enough to see them flip, why didn't you attempt a rescue?

He may not have felt comfortable or safe doing so. Not everyone reacts the same (and shouldn't be chastised for their personal reaction). There is a fine line between being heroic and foolishly stupid (And no, I don't think Sonny was being foolish). Each of us needs to be responsible for our own safety first. Help and assistance is nice to have but it shouldn't be counted on or assumed (IMHO).

He may not have felt comfortable or safe doing so. Not everyone reacts the same (and shouldn't be chastised for their personal reaction). There is a fine line between being heroic and foolishly stupid (And no, I don't think Sonny was being foolish). Each of us needs to be responsible for our own safety first. Help and assistance is nice to have but it shouldn't be counted on or assumed (IMHO).

+1

Well said Eric.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Well said, guys, and thanks for bringing the discussion.  I'm changing the title of the post - "Another Year in the Books".  Let's shut this megapost down and call it good.  This discussion can continue in the "incident" thread or new ones.

Thanks.   

I know from my recent experience with sleeper waves knocking the crap out of me that my brother made the right decision based on his experience to let me self rescue.  I can tell you that was a long 15 minutes in the water getting pounded, but, it was better just one of us was in the drink instead of two.

Big thanks to Eric & all our NorCal brothers & sisters who made us feel welcome. big thanks to Ninkasi (http://www.facebook.com/NinkasiBrewing) for sponsoring us with the TD IPA. went very well with the taco shack venue & other great food at the pot luck. If you appreciated the brew, please go to the Ninkasi FB page, leave comments  & like.

hooked my 1st 'but & went for a ride. lost it after about 10 minutes. need a stouter reel for those fish. Had a great time with my NWKA bros. you guys rock! Great Spirit & good vibes @ GS6! Wanna go again...

Dana's cab

Craig & Dino

Roland's ling

Biggest urchins I've seen. Personal best: Most uni eaten in a meal

7", 7.5" & 8". Abs are special. a privilege to harvest & share. vis was poor, bumped my head on a rock one dive. thick skull can sometimes be an advantage.

Thanks again to all of you,

Much love,
Paul

Just Curious:

If you were close enough to see them flip, why didn't you attempt a rescue?

cawingshooter,
You played a great role in the rescue by alerting everyone and quite possibly saved Anthony's life.
As for the above question, I wouldn't feel any pressure to answer it posed as such.
Were are all ultimately responsible for our own safety. For some rushing into wash rocks is another day at the office, for others it would be another body in the impact zone. Knowing your abilities is key. Being able to see a situation and being close enough to do something about are totally different things.