Pool Noodles saved my Revo

I am writing from firsthand experience and this is a follow up from the earlier post, My Outback Sunk.
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=42384.0

I assume most of know that Mr. GWS bit my Hobie Revo in Capitola back in July. The incident happened about a mile away from our launch point, Capitola Wharf in 40 feet of water.  The shark came out like a bullet out the water my kayak inside his mouth.  It hit the starboard bow area. The force threw me into the water and capsized the kayak upside down.  About 4 teeth penetrated the Revo's plastic hull.  I was lucky because a private boat saw what happened and immediately pulled me out of the water.  LilRiverMan and FiShadow were also there to render assistance.
I owned the almost new 2012 Revo for a couple of months and to the best of my knowledge it had came from the factory with built in foam located mid ship.  I also put in 13 pool noodles for my own peace of mind and it made a big difference that day.  If it were not for the pool noodles and the built in foam I now deep inside me that Revo would have sunk.  LilRiverMan and FiShadow first tried to upright it but could not because of the added water weight and at the same time keeping their balance.  The boat driver maneuvered his stern to the upside kayak and right sided it.  Then he gave me a ride and towed my kayak back to Capitola Wharf. 

When I opened the bow hatch the inside was half full of water. For a buck each at the Dollar Store,  consider pool noodles as cheap insurance.  Always have a bilge pump with you too and make sure you have easy and immediate access to it.
I hope sharing my experience helps. 

Chad and Kirk retrieving the upside down Revo.


Revo next to the PB before being up righted.  You can see the bite marks.


The tow back to Capitola.

Way to share it, Mel.  Words to survive by.   

Thank you for that.
I NEVER get tired of seeing how NCKA comes to the rescue of another brother or sister.
Cheap insurance for sure.
A few years back I found some pool noodles that were 6'' in diameter.
I haven't seen them since but I am always looking.

Thank you for that.
I NEVER get tired of seeing how NCKA comes to the rescue of another brother or sister.
Cheap insurance for sure.
A few years back I found some pool noodles that were 6'' in diameter.
I haven't seen them since but I am always looking.

Have u tried looking at your local plus size swim store? Hehe

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

Got the hee-bee-jee-bees all over again from reading that one. Thanks for the reminder and sound advice.

Very solid advice! Very unsettling event.

This story as well as other stories reinforce (in my mind anyway)  the importance of never going alone in big blue.  Since I went for a swim and swamp, I have placed a bunch of noodles in mine.

Before I bought my yak I reviewed hours of safety information on this site. I also took a surf zone / safety class at MBK. When I bought my yak and before venturing out into the water I made sure to place 28 noodles in it.

I remember watching in particular a video that Eric Abking had made. In the video he purposely tries to sink his pool noodle filled yak with no success. That is what sold me and now I don't worry about a sinking yak. That along with dressing for immersion and I feel pretty safe out there.

Thanks Eric and the rest of the NCKA gang that have contributed to this site with all this important information.