The Kayak Forum is Sponsored By
|
|
|
| |
Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: Some thoughts
Posted By: David In Response To: Some thoughts (Pamela)
Date: Friday, 23 May 2003, at 10:40 a.m.
Thanks Pam;
We stopped at what I call the "Banyon Tree", the last big willow on the south end of the channel at Muggs. We saw whitecaps, with a 1 foot swell. I reconned, about 50 yards out and it was not too bad. We went through a group decision making meeting at the Banyon Tree, in which every student was given the choice of taking the ferry or attempting the crossing. All students over a 5 minute discussion and rest/power bar stop, very much wanted to attempt it. I told the
students plan B was going back to the ferry.You can't really prevent these things from happening. The only way to do it would be to cancel all paddling in winds above 5 knots. Its more in how we deal with it when it happens. Essentially, I over-rode the collective decision of hte group, to continue the advance, and instead, demanded we return. The act of turning against a strong funnelled wind of the airport lead to many of the difficulties. I always carefully weigh the risks incurred by having students attempt a 180 across wind, vs. the risk of continuing. Sometimes its the turn itself that leads to capsize, as students take whitecaps on the beam.
Water taxi in future, no doubt. But he was running around doing other things and I wanted the students back at the ranch pronto. Will give a him call next time though, it is alot faster!
: HI Dave,
: Seems like your paddling season got off to an 'interesting' start. I feel for
: you.: David, when I first read your post, my immediate reaction was, "water
: taxi". Even though there's a cost attached, a water taxi gets you,
: the folks and the boats right back to the school without 2 hours of
: schlepping gear from the ferry terminal.: I wasn't there, so I don't know whether your situation could have been
: stopped before it started. Is there a possibility that when you noticed
: that the wind had increased, you could have left the class in a sheltered
: position and paddled out to have a look-see? If you had seen whitecaps and
: big harbour chop, you would have had an opportunity to develop a plan B
: before your beginners got in over their head.: I did that once with a novice paddler and winds that were suddenly 40 km/hr.
: He wasn't thrilled to be sent home on the ferry while I towed his boat
: home, but better a paddler with a bruised ego than hypothermia or a
: capsize in the ferry's path.: Hope you have better conditions next time.
: Pamela
| |
Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board is maintained by Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks with WebBBS 5.12.
|
Kayaking Technique |
|
|
|
