Hit and run, OC 09.27.15

I attended my second Simply Fishing tournament this weekend and 1st let me say Ruben puts on a great event for a worthy cause.  I hope a lot of money was raised.  I am richer by meeting some new people, learning a few new names and putting a face to names I've seen a lot on the board.  You meet the nicest people at these events, unfortunately I meet one really nasty rude landlord the next day.

Sunday morning a few of us from Group site 4 were heading out for a little redemption.  Eelkram took off first with his new Viking kayak for a maiden voyage. (Congrats Mark).  Naoaki, Dray were either out before me or behind me, not sure.

My plan was to head south after leaving the cove.  After going past the left side of the large rock in the middle of the cove I settled into a pace of about 3.5mph for the long run.  I was messing with my FF as I was getting just outside the cove in about 45ft of water I looked up and noticed a very large swirl in the water about 30ft in front of me.  You know the kind that makes you think twice, pause just a moment, and look down in the water to see if you can find what made it.  I quickly put that thought out of my head and peddled my Revo 13 at a steady pace.

About 20 seconds later, BAM!

I'm not sure exactly how to describe the collision other than it must be what getting rear-ended at 40mph feels like (I've never been in a car accident with another car but, well, knock on wood)

The impact was violent and pitched the Hobie ass over nose.  I landed face down in the water with the yak on top of me.
As soon as I hit the water I knew what had happened, frankly I felt dread and  panic.
Get out from under the boat.
Get the boat turned over, now, now, now, get it flipped.
Get back in, NOW!  Shit, missed the first attempt. 
Stop, slow down.  Get your legs way behind you, KICK!  Get in, sit your ass down and breath.

I start taking inventory of myself and gear.  The drive is still in place, good.  I spot my radio's flashing light and circle around to pick it up.  The impact knocked everything every which way.  Rod over there (floating, yes), water bottle and hat over there, and tethered stuff hanging off the sides.

Then I called out on ch69 for help.  My other thought was to warn those nearby.  Apparently mister grey is hunting Hobie's today.
2 guys finally got over to me. I was shaking some, pissed off, adrenaline overload was in full effect.
Then Mark Lee and Naoaki and maybe Dray and someone else, I can't remember now.
We paddled, peddled in as a group.  I checked the middle hatch but there wasn't enough water in the boat to be concerned.

When we reached the beach (no reference to "The Fixx") we turned the yak over and checked it out.
Not a scratch, not an effing scratch.
The only damage was a couple of cuts on my forehead and a bruised psyche.



Shark? Whale?  I have no picture, video or witness.

Very happy to know you are OK, Gary.

Wow! Amazing story. I doubt it was a whale. Glad all ended well.

Wow! Glad you are ok!

Here is my report from another thread from Saturday.

I had a little scare yesterday at OC. ATD and I were fishing north of OC when out of nowhere there was a boil/swirl about 10' behind me. Big with a lot of power if that makes sense. Close to 10' in diameter too. Adam was looking right at me when it happened and saw it going on, but no fins or fish were seen. We had not seen any fur bags around or anything else to explain it. After that I had a pretty uneasy feeling for quite a while. Shark, whale or ????

F$%^. I guess it was what we thought it may be. Shit! Just reading your report makes me feel it again.

Glad your experience turned out well.

Glad you are OK, damn!

Thank god your okay. What knarly encounter!

Wow!scary shit.im glad you were able to compose yourself and get back on

Way to stay focused and getting out of water..

As long as we allow these unprovoked attacks to go unanswered, they are bound to continue.

We need to shank a few of these bitches to get some respect...

Wow! It would take a lot of force to pitch a kayak like that...

Sorry to hear of your encounter. I too saw "unexplained" swirls on Saturday. I heard some talk about a punk seal/sealion but I hear the suspicion here is that it wasn't. Always be cautious with a blow to the head, take it easy.

I kept hearing the sound of a whale spouting on Sat.
But didnt see anything surfacing.

Wow! Glad you're ok, Gary.

Scary for sure.
Glad, all things considered, you're OK.

First off, super glad you were not physically injured, Gary!

Interesting that several people saw swirls on Saturday. What  ocean animal rams or head butts prey or competition? Orca? Sea Lion, Seal?

Don't GWS take a "taste" first? Just trying to get a better handle on the possibilities.