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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Gulf Information...
Posted By: Robert N Pruden In Response To: Re: Bad weather comes with clouds attached to it . (PatrickC)
Date: Wednesday, 2 March 2005, at 9:42 p.m.
I am guessing that this information is available to anyone who contacts the Coast Guard. This is information I would look for before any open water endeavor. While Ken Sutherland and I were prepping for our Lake Winnipeg paddle, we talked about weather conditions, storm frequency and storm severity. The day we launched, the day was windy with some moderate chop in exposed areas. We discussed whether to launch or not, opted for a bee-line to Black Island from the Mainland (about 2-3 kms) and hugged the shoreline whenever possible. We took no chances that we weren't sure about. In the end, we were well prepped for any eventuality under the prevailing conditions. If we had any doubts, we shared the information with each other. That done, we were very comfortable once under way yet careful to watch for sudden changes for the worst. On the big lake, you get no more than 20 minutes warning before the major storms come ripping in. People drown on that lake every year because they get caught on its shallow waters that get whipped up into 4-6 foot waves with much larger rogues during these sudden storm bursts. A perfectly calm day can change in that small window of time.
You should be able to tell that I studied up on this, spoke with professional guides whom I know regarding the lake's characteristics, then went on with our plans. THAT is the proper kind of informational prep anyone should undertake for open water adventures.
Robert N Pruden
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