GS Team Aspect - Needs Overhaul Regarding Partnering Requirements

I'd honestly rather see it go the other way Eric - so long as an individual has a functioning radio/Fox 40/etc. then s/he should be free to roam.  Kayak fishing on the ocean has its inherent dangers, but it isn't glacier navigation where you are quite literally tied to your teammate and have your fates intertwined. 

Agreed. Eric, you did a great job as tournament director. You gave every angler all the proper advice in order for them to stay safe. It's too bad that one individual's multiple bad actions has got you second-guessing like this. New kayak anglers should employ the buddy system. But expecting experienced guys & gals to raft up during a tournament seems extreme. You throw salmon trolling out in the fog into the equation and I don't see how strict two man teams would ever be, or anyone want them to be, enforced throughout the entire day. Ultimately every angler has to be capable of saving their own ass. Those that don't know for sure that they can......should make the decision to strictly follow the buddy system and stay close. No matter what rules are drafted that determination of safety & personal responsibility and it's success or failure is up to the individual angler. jim

Agreed. Eric, you did a great job as tournament director. You gave every angler all the proper advice in order for them to stay safe. It's too bad that one individual's multiple bad actions has got you second-guessing like this. New kayak anglers should employ the buddy system. But expecting experienced guys & gals to raft up during a tournament seems extreme. You throw salmon trolling out in the fog into the equation and I don't see how strict two man teams would ever be, or anyone want them to be, enforced throughout the entire day. Ultimately every angler has to be capable of saving their own ass. Those that don't know for sure that they can......should make the decision to strictly follow the buddy system and stay close. No matter what rules are drafted that determination of safety & personal responsibility and it's success or failure is up to the individual angler. jim

I like this. 

I also like jbaker's 'all launch together' suggestion, but the inspection may not be practical. 

Keep the good info and discussion flowing.

Hi All,

In confession, I am the team member on Local Connection who took too much time navigating around my own personal moat (inside my tent!) at GS5 and was late to launch with the rest of my team - and without a VHF.  GS5 was very humbling on many levels. In addition to almost not having a team, I dressed inappropriately (wetsuit and sweatshirt under rain jacket that did not stop from soaking the cotton sweatshirt in the non-stop rain & low 40 degree air temp) as well as witnessing someone go into the drink last year. Because of that experience, I stepped up all of my attire this year including making sure I had a VHF radio.  Bottom line, I personally experienced the importance of all the points Eric is sharing about safety.  Communication is key out there on the water too.  I so appreciated whoever it was that got on the radio and announced to everyone when the fog was moving in from the south and provided great suggestions for all those still out on the water. And those who kept us all informed about those who went into the water. Whoever all of you were who gave the heads up - Thank you!!  It just shows how all of us watch out for each other.  I think implementing as many extra safety measures as possible and working together as a Team helps maximize the fun factor. 

Thanks Eric for sharing your thoughts.

Personally I left with other team members "not" my own and fished with many "others" through out the day...O2b and myself were the last ones coming in from in front of hotel, and the last words he said to me were "your radio's working right" my responce is "yes it is" as he left me in the dust with his turbo fins ...

But you go out there ever time by yourself and come back all by yourself...and if there's someone along for the ride, that makes it all more the "better"  but at least 2 peeps all day long seems like the best of all worlds...

And Eric/BigJ   You Rock!!!!

I hope the team safety aspect is not being confused with, or linked to the team competition (scoring) aspect!
If it is, and the team competition jeopardizes individual safety then I/we will discontinue the team comp.

My thoughts,
1.PFD,VHF, wetsuit/drysuit, Bailing device/extra floatation Mandatory.
   (was someone really out there without a PFD?)
2.IF, you allow people to fish without VHF they must buddy fish with someone that does.
3. peeps with VHF may roam, (i'm a roamer, left my team, but they had radios)
4. I don't agree with all tourney anglers launching together idea.
    (This will create a cluster f ck at the ramp, and turn into a race out of the cove.)
    (this years launch/landing flow at the ramp went of w/o a hitch.)
5. If someone near you is in need of rescue, help if it does not put you or others at risk.
6. You must be able to right your yak as rigged (stabilizers,akas/amas, sails,crates,etc.)   
     and self rescue as rigged.     
7.WE MUST ALL INDIVIDUALLY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR OWN SAFETY AND ACTIONS
   ON AND OFF THE WATER OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES.
8. Revert GS back to a hook-up, not a tournament and fish for FUN

Tad
 

Tad - my apologies - I'll change the title to clarify - THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TEAM SCORING AND WE CAN AND SHOULD CONTINUE WITH TEAM FORMATION AND SCORING AS IS!

My bad - it's just about the team staying together thing.   

We should definitely continue to compose our teams like we have been, and each competitor will be required to have a partner listed on the signup sheet.  Whether you split from your partner (both would need VHF) or not would be your choice.  If someone is fishing without their partner they MUST have VHF or they will be DQ'd.  The pair thing will be a big deal to push as it's the most realistic way to maintain safety, but teams can do what they want in terms of splitting up or cruising together.  We need to establish those pairs, make everyone have a VHF, repeat the warnings about NOT fishing anywhere in close, and let people know they're in charge of their own safety.  No powerboats are coming to save you unless it's the USCG.  I will also be considering some kind of qualifications and an application for next year's tournament.  It may be seen as exclusivist, but I need to know who's trying to get in under the guise of an experienced and thoughtful waterperson when they're not.  There were others there who I don't want there - that would be anyone who hasn't been exposed to our culture of safety, support, peer review, innovation, correction...etc.  It's not too much to ask that someone actually be a viable club member at NCKA in order to be in the this tournament.  This year I put it up on NCKA, announced it on NWKA and invited them - but they had to get the registration materials at NCKA, and some people got signups from Kayak Greg at Pacific Outfitters.   While I appreciate his effort to proliferate the sport up here, I will have to specify to Greg and others for next year that people will actually be required to be a community member at NCKA to be in the tournament. 

This is how it should be.


(but keep the suggestions coming   )

How about having Team Captains, who are responsible for ensuring there team is properly equiped with the required safety equipment; that way you can have a "Captains Meeting" and minimize the distraction done at an open safety breifing (like some joker going around poking people with his fishing pole ).

There are many grteat ideas, and I don't have anything more to add. To repeat; no VHF no participation.
Also, NO way can we have Eric not fish! If my wife doesn't fish (she's going to try Albion) she knows what fish is what and can help with the measuring.

How about having Team Captains, who are responsible for ensuring there team is properly equiped with the required safety equipment; that way you can have a "Captains Meeting" and minimize the distraction done at an open safety breifing (like some joker going around poking people with his fishing pole ).

That was too funny.  The look on his face while looking around for the perp was priceless!   

Team Captains, mandatory items, safety checks... I don't know if I am the only person who sees the logistical nightmare in implementing all the aforementioned things in this thread.

I agree that a VHF, PFD, whistle... etc are all necessary, and I bring and use them. However if someone has to make sure I have them I will most likely get irritated.

Kayak fishing is how I have fun, if I have to jump through a bunch of hoops because a couple of people can't get their shit together. Then I would rather fish somewhere else, or in another tournament. Make sure you cover your ass, but don't let the minority affect the majority. In all the tournaments I have been in I have yet to see or hear of someone with-out the proper safety items.

I think its is great Eric that you revisit your policies for the better of the community and the GS series.

Most likely I am standoffish because of the serving in Army where they check me 100 times for something like I am an idiot.

Enough negativity.

My suggestion is to have a form to turn in the day of, or with registration that says you have the proper stuff and can handle the conditions.

EDIT: Maybe add a map to the registration that has hazard areas, or "RED" zones.

As for the team aspect... I think its kind of hard to force unless its a team based tournament. That being said I may not have been on a team for GS6 but I was with one.

I must admit that as a team captain, I stunk it up bad
I must apologise for the following reasons
1. I got their late sat and missed the safety meeting
2. I never got together with my team to discuss launching time or fishing strategies
3. I launched with only half my team
4. never found half my team
5. wandered away from the team members I was with.
6. never came in when I heard my team was heading in.
The list goes on an on..........

Looking back:
Personally, I think the team concept is a great idea, but mandating that at least one angler has vhf is a bad idea. What if the angler in the team with the vhf is the one with the issue and the radio is out of commission? It seems that all team members should be required to have all safety gear as well as a vhf (as CG requires). I also feel that it was a mistake to allow larger teams of up to 10 anglers. this might be great for a floating party, but in a tournament it would be likely that at least a few will wonder when the bite slows.
My suggestion would be to have a buddy system instead of a team concept. When you have a single buddy to work with, you are more likely to stay with him/her, you are also more likely to join with a person of equal ability or at least know the limitations of that angler and plan your attack accordingly. Also with a single person to keep an eye on you are more helpful in the event of an emergency.
Next year, if the format is the same, I will limit my team to only 2-3 anglers and will be sure to have a proper game plan

See Ya Soon,
Eric / Yakhopper

Eric,
I felt welcome, and had a great time. Being new at the sport my input probably does not have much relevance. I felt safe out there, kind of slow compared to the rest of the team. But pretty much knew where everyone was at most all the time. Remember hooking the first ling of the day feeling you get, the next time you consider not fishing next year. Thanks for taking me in. Chuck

I feel that teammates should be paired with how each member is comfortable fishing. If you feel the need to have someone by your side at all times you should find teammates who fish the same way. Our team was comprised of seasoned ocean yak veterans
so babysitting was not a concern. One of our guys was reaching back into the tankwell, got tippy, jumped off rather than going over, hopped right back on with no issues whatsoever. Our team agreed that we each prefer to fish solo. There were enough members OTW that none of us were ever out of eyesight of another member and we each had our own VHF's which IMO should be a REQUIREMENT for each participant.
If I am on a team of 4 and only one of us has a radio, even though we may all fish liertally side by side what good does it do if that radio craps out?
As far as launching; team members should agree how they plan on doing it. Everyone is an adult and should be responsible for their own actions. If they screw up it should not hinder another members experience or schedule.
Bottom line, you are responsible for yourself and your decisions, not anyone else.

I like fishing with my brother and I like the team aspect of GS.  In the past I have had others lose their teammates and ask to join us and I always tell them that they are invited to tag along. 

For me the team thing worked great! I was ready to launch early but my teammate Jose was still getting ready. I waited for him and we both walked down to the launch together. We has a similar game plan and for the most part were always in the same area. We both had radios which was a great advantage. When we wanted to move around we would let each other know. When the fog rolled in Jose came in with me, he used his GPS to guide us in safe. When he decided that he wanted to fish some more, I was cool with that because I knew he had the GPS and his radio and he told me where he was going to fish.

Maybe having smaller teams might be the answer, or even having teams split up. It seems that if there were any team issues it was more with the larger teams. I could be wrong.  I beleive also that each participant should have a radio.

Thanks Eric for all you do, this was an awesome event and the wife and I are already talking about next year. Shelter Cove is such a magical place and I am happy we were able to experience it.