Bean Hollow 10/19/06- Two big fish C & R

Glad everyone is safe! Man that is gnarly. Anyone want to start that waders vs wetsuit debate again...

Glad everyone is safe! Man that is gnarly. Anyone want to start that waders vs wetsuit debate again...

Wear both.  I just started wearing waders this year and I put on a shorty wetsuit under it in case I have to sit in the drink.

I am so very glad everyone came out safe.  So when shall we do some safety sessions.  I'm game to go.

-Allen

Another good thing to have is a "PLAN B". For example, a few months back, Allen (scallen) and I met one morning at the Pigeon Point lighthouse for an exploratory kayak fishing trip. We stood at the shoreline for about 20 minutes and were looking at the swell and feeling the wind. Allen made a great call and so we decided to look for safer water. That day, Bean Hollow and Davenport were our two other options (since these locations were close by) and eventually we decided on Bean Hollow because of the lack of wind and swell. It turned out to be a great day and we had a great time.

I still have a lot to learn as far as weather patterns (I've been guilty myself on launching on days that I should have just skipped and looked for other options = PLAN B) Surf and wind cams on every state beach would be nice to have  

I also strongly believe in "safety in numbers"
 

glad everyone came out safe!

this should be a lesson to everyone for safety to check your boat for any leaks....to make your you know how to do self rescue, know your ocean conditions 6to 7 feet is no joke in cold water those waves will have a lot more power than ones in warmer water. i know i may have reputation for pushing the limits sometimes but i grew on the ocean and knew how to read the conditions as their coming in or before i even hit the water.

as for wetsuit or waders , i don't use either one but i am going to get a pair of waders and dry splash jacket

simms g3 waders 3 ply goretex but i still am looking for the right jacket!

jade pirate  aka chef

OMG, I not only gulped, but I had to pick my jaw up off of the floor.  I am so glad that everyone is okay.  It also sounded like everyone stayed calm and reacted the right way.  Thank God someone had a radio...

Yeah guys, glad you made it in just fine, one way or the other!  What an adventure!  Way to keep your heads on and not panic and do the right things.  Great attitude about it too!

I am not so sure that the conditions at Bean were at fault (in defence of BH), so much as the leak, and the yak half full of water would have made it unstable and difficult to self-rescue even for a pro, I am guessing.   It seems like just a freak occurrence, and anyone else with any other boat would have been fine on that day.

It does still underscore the importance of what everyone has said - you never know what may happen, so be prepared with safety items, check your gear, know what to do in case something does go wrong, and how to self-rescue definitely. (Scott Thornley taught me and it turned out I needed it 2 weeks later when I launched alone from Bolinas, fell asleep while fishing at Dux, and flipped while waking up.)

It was suggested that we hold a technique and training class for sea-kayaking and self-rescuing a few days back - safety and these sorts of things, said by posters above, would be incorporated into it, I presume...

Hoo-eee, offshore of Bean H is someplace I would rather not be swimming, this time o' year.
Glad to hear it all turned out OK.

"Pippet, c'mon pippet! Pippet!"
I always feel sorry for Pippet when I watch that scene. You all know the movie.

Apparently, Frank's kayak (Hobie) had a leak in it.  Factory defect.  It started taking H2O fast not too long after they paddle out that's why they could not climb back up on board.

The story is scary. watch movie is another thing. It happened to our fellow kayakers! Leaking yak is no good. What about getting Frank onto another and transport him to shore? Is it possible?

I carry a hand pump in my boat.......left over from my sit-inside boats.  I've had a leak and don't want to be foundered.  It is attached to a rope so that I can pull it up into my hands if I need it.  The only time I've nearly sunk was when I left a hatch open......oops......

Glad everyone is OK. I am also glad my wife doesn't hit this website. I just got my WAF account up and she doesn't like this kind of story. Scott

Dude! That sucks, sorry to hear about your guy's misfortune out there.  Did you save the kayak????

 What about getting Frank onto another and transport him to shore? Is it possible?

Eric, my dad and I were in a Tandem Malibu II.  I didn't want to leave one person in the water in case GWS comes.  The idea didn't even cross my mind. 

JTF, the Harbor patrol recovered the kayak. We picked up all the pieces we could find on the water including fish finder, paddle...ect.  we ended up picking up Frank and Phil in HMB.

We were just glad we were all safe on land.  May be there were other options, but I just figure since they weren't seemed to be in physical distress (hyperthermia) calling the CG was the right thing.  I didn't want to take the chance of towing them back and having them ended up on the rocks or all 4 of us on the rocks.

I am very, very happy that all of you are alive and well. I'm also extemely sorry that I wasn't able to go Thursday, and feel a sense of responsibility, as it was I that suggested the outing.

How many boats were out there? It sounds like two tandems? Or am I overlooking something?

Scott
 

definately a scary situation.  typically i carry a 4-3 mil fullsuit that is for full immersion in 48 degree plus water in the hold of my boat & i wear a 2 mil shorty under my lifejacket.  my theory is that if you are in the water up here in a shorty or less you will get hypothermia quickly, in a worst case scenario you could get into the fullsuit with your lifejacket & take your time swimming to shore.

i've kitesurfed for over 6 years & lost or crashed my kite up to a mile & 1/2 offshore & had to swim in dragging the kite.  the point is if you keep sidestroking or breaststroking for a long time you will make it, it may take an hour but if you can stay warm & make headway you'll be fine.

it makes me nervous when i see anyone out there in just a 2 mil & lifejacket.

Okay guys I did what Seabreeze suggested but understand that hind sight is 20/20. So look on the sight for "This happened to me". 
I hold myself accountable for my actions therefore it is my obligation to inform myself of the safest way to participate in this sport. Luckly I have chosen some great mentors and their is no price for experience.
I talked to Eugene a little while ago and it is funny he now recognizes the sound of a rotor prop from a distance having notice this in just one day after this whole incident that my friends is progress So I hope our experience becomes a positive to all our newbie friends to ask questions. This attitude has served me well.