Stillwater North

It isn't the launching and fishing that I take exception with. I've been out in conditions like that too, as have many of us. I also fully believe that he is an exceptionally skilled paddler. I think that is actually part of the problem.   Immersion gear and a pfd are not optional for me and I think it is foolhardy to go out without them no matter the skill level.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=49449

Yes. He would be safer with PDF and immersion gear. No question there. My point is the degree of risk taken by him going without is probably less than  me going with. A pic of me a bit less than relaxed is attached.

It would have been VERY easy to tell your grown son to suit up and wear a PFD.

It would go something like this:

"If you want to use my kayak, you have to dress for immersion and wear a PFD."

I have no problem telling people when they are being unsafe, experienced or not.  How many expert mountain climbers died climbing the mountain?  There are risks, and there are mistakes...  End of rant and thread jack...

It would have been VERY easy to tell your grown son to suit up and wear a PFD.

It would go something like this:

"If you want to use my kayak, you have to dress for immersion and wear a PFD."

You bet. Then when I get to Alaska again he can tell me it's only 20 miles more to Homer and since it's his kayak I'm borrowing I'd better do five knots and keep up or find my way solo to town.

nice report...good for him...a man has got to know his limitations

Well, either he wants to kayak with you or he doesn't.

I bet he can set aside his "too cool for safety" attitude a few times a year when you guys kayak together.

Charles,

Glad you and your boy got out there together.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Well, either he wants to kayak with you or he doesn't.

I bet he can set aside his "too cool for safety" attitude a few times a year when you guys kayak together.

Alex

I don't know if you have adult offspring or not but giving them ultimatums isn't a good road to go down. I trust his judgement on kayaking matters.

I don't think that Charles should be made to feel raked over the coals for showing his family outing on here, and we're lucky to have him offer gentlemanly and informative responses.  Just an observation and my 2 cents.

That said, Charles, what if your son had to save your ass out there?  He doesn't look prepared to do that, and while he shouldn't have to "work" on vacation, I think you, I and the community can agree that there are too many reasons to be prepared vs unprepared.  If he's the master at solo and he wants to change the rules that's certainly his prerogative as an athlete and a pioneer in his field, but if he goes out with others and acts in a way that could intensify a bad situation just for the sake of a personal comfort choice then I say lay all cards on the table.  With all due respect to what you said about ultimatums and grown offspring, I'd bet that he'd listen if you used the community here as an anchor for you.  Tell him that we called foul and point out that he wouldn't be as effective at helping you or himself if something happened like weather and water getting worse quickly or a health issue OTW.  The alternative here is to not show those details lacking general safety compliance or to just be ready to deal with people calling it out.  The basis of this reaction (I have it too!) is that we enjoy a culture of safety here.  That is, we tend to try to agree openly in these forums on what should or should not be followed when it comes to safety measures on the ocean or other water.  Wearing a PFD while fishing along the north coast is non negotiable if you're claiming to be safe or conscientious toward the image of safety that most of us would want seen by our friends, relatives and the general public.  Dressing for immersion is close behind, and then come so many vitals that we don't necessarily question from photos in a report:  VHF, compass, GPS and the long list of other safety items in your boat or your bag or on your person.

Thanks for the thread.  I do love how a report with no fish pic has a lot to talk about.   

Hope you don't mind I straightened your horizon a bit - I couldn't get my head wrapped around the shot by turning my laptop!

NCKA member:  PFD, dressed for immersion, has a net!   

Being with your son on a challenging ocean, catching fish for a family meal, sharing it here - great stuff, man.  Thank you!   

  "similar to a plane" he says

When are you guys going to start giving shit to the guys jumping off cliffs in squirrel suits.  Charles has an outing with his son. Thats it.

Nice catching fish in that lump.  I would have lost mucho gear.  Good picture of your son wearing the 18 foot floatation device.  I'd blow that one up and frame it.

When are you guys going to start giving shit to the guys jumping off cliffs in squirrel suits. 

When they do it without a parachute.

When are you guys going to start giving shit to the guys jumping off cliffs in squirrel suits. 

When they do it without a parachute.

here ya go