Stillwater North

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

Yup, that's nuts.

Charles,

I apologize for my somewhat harsh reaction to your report. When people take safety lightly it rubs me the wrong way, which can lead to less than friendly words. Eric said exactly what I was thinking, but in a better, more respectful way.

A team is only as strong as it's weakest link. When you go out in the ocean with a buddy, you better hope that buddy is willing, able, and comfortable hopping into the drink to lend assistance if things turn south. We read about kayaking fatalities each and every year, and the vast majority of them could have been prevented by two simple things: wear a PFD, and dress for immersion.

Done with my rant, and truly glad you guys got out there and had a good time.

Cheers,

Alex

I'm not sorry.

It's a teaching moment.  Not for charles or his son, but for the curious neophyte looking to get into kayak angling.  This was posted in the public hookups and reports forum.  Anyone with any casual interest in kayak fishing and internet access can read this.  For me, my audience is much bigger than those of us that have 200 posts + per year and fish 50-60 days a year.  Its about safety first and foremost.  We can never, ever leave a public impression that its ok to go out in a SIK in big seas on our ocean without basic safety gear.

I'm not going to tell charles how to conduct his relationship with his son as that isn't my place and i don't have an opinion about that one way or the other, but I'm calling out safety gaffes every.  single.  time.

 When I first read this report and saw Nate on that swell, I knew that it would be difficult for some.
So when the safety flags started flying I was not surprised. Those who can't are usually the quickest to critique. While I do appreciate that there is an interest in a stronger safety culture, this particular circumstance could use a bit of perspective.
 I have a huge amount of respect for the true adventurer lifestyle that Nate lives and I can only hope to be half the kayaker he has become. His playground is rock and ice and he is simply operating on another level.
I thought Id share just a few of his photos to help bring some clarity. There are hundreds and many amazing encounters with all manner of beasts that prowl the north.
I like this one because it showed giant success with amazing simplicity and that he was using that Prijon boat and greenland paddle.



 I couldn't help but wonder if those who chose to judge Nate could even fit into his boat and if they could, would they be able to roll it if they needed to.

I liked this one because it was a good example of his ridiculous composure with what is clearly a large fish.  And again, no PFD. The boat is his "PFD". He is in flat water and his roll is bombproof.


I thought that the mountain climbing reference was moderately amusing.
Did I mention that he is a giant?


I do realize that despite what I perceived as a poor delivery, the critics may have the best of intentions.
But, from my perspective, Charles is safer out there with his son than he would be with any member of this forum ,including myself, in all of my gear. If I am in trouble and need help, Ill pick the giant athlete with real paddling skills and no PFD over the obese fisherman with a PFD who struggles just to get back on top of a SOT.

 I haven't always worn a PFD in every situation either,

But if you were in trouble or injured you might appreciate me being there.

My hope is that the safety squad will tuck it back in for a moment and reflect on how safe they really are out there. Maybe, before swinging that gavel, take a look in the mirror and ask yourselves if you are strong enough, skilled enough, and educated enough to be "safe".  Having a 1000+ post on a forum doesn't help when you get flipped over in big swell but a bomb proof roll certainly does.

Just my perspective and a little bit about my friend Nathan who is absolutely the real deal.
Alaska to Washington. Could you survive?

Actually, Alaska to Bodega Bay California. Epic solo trek.

I'd made my point and was done here, but-

Hydrospider-

1. I'm not obese anymore.  Not sure when the last time you saw me was.

2.  I can get in and out of a SOT just fine thanks. 

3.  Having a thousand posts has nothing to do with anything, which was my point about that.  Joe sixpack obese fisherman with zero posts can read this.

4.  My bedside manner is terrible.  You got me there.

Yeah but...it's kinda like hearing Richard Sherman say, "I've played in so many football games and experienced so much on the field (way more than anybody in NCKA) that I don't need to wear a helmet." While that may be true, and it's his choice to make--he can't control the actions of other players--just like kayakers can't control the ocean conditions, actions of other ocean-users, and animals that live there.

That said, it sounds like this guy is very experienced and understands the risks. The safety protocol is a double-edged sword and "what might be right for one; may not be right for some." But in the world of online kayak-fishing culture, it's prudent to lean toward the side of caution when offering advice. On occasion, I've found myself advocating safety measures that I, personally, might not follow to a T. But I do so for the sake of helping others. 
I would fish with Charles & son any day. And I'd try to help best I could if a dangerous situation presented itself. Being prepared and able is the best way to help a fellow waterman.

Also, that is a pretty sweet picture Charles! Thanks for the report. For a brief moment, I thought it would be funny if I photo-shopped a pfd onto that pic and replaced it...then replied "What are you guys talking about; he has a pfd on" 

- The water here in California is hypothermia cold no matter how manly or experienced you are.

- Sharks don't care how experienced you are, and they can quickly turn your "18 foot PFD" into an "18 foot anchor".

- Being out there without a PFD on board is illegal in the first place.

- Your rolling skills don't mean sh*t if the situation requires you to separate yourself from your kayak.

Charles, is that the Cauldron just right of Nate in the first pic?

No. Passed it on the outside to try in a 100 feet right off Stillwater. One had to be deeper to fish. Anything less than 60 was too much of a washboard. The break is on the rock we sometimes pass in front of to go to OC on the inside of the wash rock.

The comment about obesity reminds me of someone else...  Likely he is a friend of yours. Do you feel the same way about disabled and elderly?  Tell us oh mighty kayak god what you really think.  What the heck is team bridgeport anyway?  And why do you always post in a way that makes me think that your profiting from it?  Do you have any affiliations you should be declaring? 

- The water here in California is hypothermia cold no matter how manly or experienced you are.

- Sharks don't care how experienced you are, and they can quickly turn your "18 foot PFD" into an "18 foot anchor".

- Being out there without a PFD on board is illegal in the first place.

- Your rolling skills don't mean sh*t if the situation requires you to separate yourself from your kayak.

Alex
I appreciate your concern but sensitivity to cold water and length of duration one can manage  is an individual thing. I've watched him swim water in Alaska that curled my toes. If alone and sans kayak he would definitely make shore. This isn't May after a big spring NW when the water temp is 48 degrees. Probably 58 plus on the surface that day. PFD was aboard. Kayak pants/booties were on. How many GWS have hit 18 foot yaks? They look for seal and seal lion profiles which are not that long and in my opinion there is more risk rolling bike tires on the road which is something most of us do and don't bat an eye over it. When landing and launching in surf he always wears a PFD. Getting separated from your yak outside surf the break zone is not a concern for him.

Alright. I get it. Your son is a master kayaker who's immune to unforeseen circumstances.

Next time you post something about him, maybe do it in the members only section. That way other folks who might THINK they're master kayakers won't see him out there in a T-shirt and get the wrong idea. Kinda like these two unfortunate fellows from Washington. There's a pretty good chance these guys spent some time browsing the public sections of NWKA before that fateful day... Does your son post pictures on that site, too?

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2014/06/2_nas_whidbey_island_sailors_d.html

Current water temp at bodega buoy is 58. PT. Arena is 60.

I don't think that we are responsible as individuals or an online community for what other people might or might not do after seeing our posts.

I do things like diving alone that are NOT "safe". Am I responsible if someone watches a video of mine and goes out for a solo dive and gets in trouble? Hell no. And neither is NCKA where I posted the video nor any of you guys who also happen to be NCKA members.

Does it matter IMO if pics/vids are posted in public or members only?  Hell no. Plenty of people with more than 10 posts that can see the members only section who are probably really "unsafe" and "inexperienced" and shouldn't do stuff like dive alone, or paddle remote sections of coast alone etc.

Charles and his son went out kayaking and fishing. His son chose not to wear his PFD. Whether or not any of us agree with it, it doesn't matter because we are not Charles or his son.

If someone sees a pic of someone in rough weather without a PFD or whatever and goes out and does the same thing and gets in trouble that is on THEM, not on anyone else.

I am responsible for me and my family...that's enough! I am in no way responsible if someone tries to do what I do and gets hurt...and neither are Charles or his son.

I post pics and vids on here cuz sharing adventures is fun! Or at least meant to be! 

TGIF!

Sincerely,

Jim