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Mayor's Cup Aborted
Reivers Dustin
10/19/08 #5191
Some of you have been following the race on Surfski.info and watching the GPS live track of racers. So you already know that the race was aborted one hour in. They have some good video on Surfski.info It seems some boats were swept under a barge near the start along with many more having trouble with the choppy conditions.
Larry B. just called to talk about it. The only english that I could pick out was, “CHRIST!” It seems the lead pack was near the turn around into the good conditions. The ride back to start was not so bad. But the start was nasty. You are immediately in “wall” conditions and most racers didn't focus on the barge they were getting swept into by the current. No one was hurt and most gear has been recovered. The boats that were sucked under the barge have some
damage.
The Aussies and South Africans can hardly believe it. But everyone is off the water under orders from the N.Y. authorities. LB and Mike G. are swapping lies as I write this, so we'll probably never know the whole truth. At least until we get them drunk. Maybe Bob P. or Ian or one of the Eric's will come forward.
This is 'news of the day' for the paddle racing crowd.
RD
Re: Mayor's Cup Aborted
Michael Gregory
10/19/08 #5192
More like Mayors Cup Abortion. They pulled the plug! The band was rockin', at least what was left of them. Those that did not get knocked off the stage by the crowd of New Yorkers gawking at us like we were freaks.
Just because the tide was carrying us north at about 5 kts and the wind was snortin' out of the north about 15-20kts, no big deal. They did not get it - the “man” was there at the George Washington Bridge - - we were busted. To many complaints; too rowdy, to much swearing, too much for NYPD and USCG. We cursed and carried on, the authorities struck back - pulling dozens off the river into little barbed wire enclosures. Then we rebelled - back into the water and off again. To a chorus of “we're not gonna take it, never did and never will”! Back to Battery Park cove and damage control. Just when this gig was circling the drain - it got worse!
No Beer!!! What else can be said? One look into the eyes of the Saffas and it all became crystal clear - What happened to the $20,000 prize money??? Baby, it was a sign of the times, all bang and no bucks.
Gotta keep pressing on . . .pressin' on. Don't lose faith, find strength in our mission. Big Apple, all the way. Maybe next year.
Keep on Rockin', Mike
Re: Mayor's Cup Aborted
flypaddle
10/20/08 #5193
Um… thanks for the commentary Mike.
Am I the only one that doesn't speak Mikeese? If someone would like
to offer a translation, that might be helpful.
Joost
Re: Mayor's Cup Aborted
Susan <ladyjustice@…>
10/20/08 #5194
This might help a little?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/20/nyregion/20kayak.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Susan
Re: Mayor's Cup Aborted
Erik Borgnes
10/20/08 #5195
Glickman will have a full report on surfski.info later today from what my sources (Glickman) say.
To sum it up, though, it was pretty rough out there. The wind was steady at about 20 knots or so, waves in the middle of the Hudson, where many of us were, were 3-5' with lots of foamies. I caught several breaking waves in the face, and that sort of occurrence causing fuzzy vision for a few seconds could easily have caused a capsize. I don't think that many of us were wearing leashes, either, because noone suspected water that rough. I would have rather been closer to the shore, but the speed by gps showed the consistently faster water was out deep. I was seeing 8-9.5 in the middle of the Hudson (300 m from shore) while punching through the big waves, and only about 7.5 mph about 100 m from shore. While I think the top 10/15 of the elite/open start were doing fine in those conditions, I'll bet that most others were struggling a bit. Of course, anyone struggling could have easily gone over closer to shore, but that's hard to do in a race, right? There were two top K1 paddlers in Nelo Sea Vanquish's and a couple of Mohicans - you couldn't have paid me enough to have been in one of those out there in those waves. I think most any cockpit kayak would have been a liability out there and the sea kayakers that capsized all needed help getting back in and going again. Had I come out of my mako 6, it might have been a bit of a struggle to get back in - though the water was pretty warm - felt about 65 F.
Did they make the right call, yes and no - they just kind of screwed it up. For some, the conditions were tough and for some, they should not have been way out in the middle of the Hudson. But, the sucky part was that they called off the race at the 1-1.5 hr mark when most paddlers had already completed the rougher part of the day - the lower Hudson. The Harlem, Hell gate, and the east river should have been much easier. The thought is that the fiasco with the barge at the start (but an hour earlier) freaked the water safety people out a bit. Plus, there is rumor that people on shore were calling 911 with reports of kayaks capsized, etc, but for all we know, it could have been 20 phone calls about 1 kayaker in the water. I think that this was a situation that the organizers hadn't run into. They'll have it figured out for next year.
Just as depressing was the trip back to the start which took 2 full hours because it was against the current. During that time, many of us were starting to get cold (because we had dressed to race, not tour), and the USCG was giving all of us returning paddlers different info. They were telling some of us we HAD to get off the water way upstream, but then allowing masses of paddlers to keep on going back to the start only 10 min later.
But, the spread of food at the end was great.
Erik
Re: Mayor's Cup Aborted
Daryl Remmler <darylremmler@…>
10/20/08 #5198
Hi all,
I think the incident at the start of the Elite Open Class sparked a case of nerves that the USCG could not ignore. Watching four skis get sucked under the barge less than 30 seconds from the start has to be very stressful when safety is your job. That combined with a few swimmers from the Fast Touring Class just minutes before certainly would have had them on high alert.
While many of the less than elite paddlers found the conditions challenging, most were managing. Surprisingly, there were too many paddlers quite unaware of the current, and the danger of paddling too closely in front of fixed objects (barges for example!). I did see other swimmers along the course, and the following remounts (some with help). I'm sure there were others I did not see. From my perspective, the dissapointment was in that the call came so late, as many paddlers were within a few miles of the Harlem River.
All that said, great course, great event, and I'll be back next year. My only suggestion to the course would be a different start location, that does not have so many negatives (no place to warm up, narrow entry to the river, and an immediate strong cross current). Thanks to Ray for doing such a great job!
Also, as an aside, a couple of the young sprinters (Dion and Wes) were doing really well. Both were in the top ten when the race was called I think, and felt confident about re-joining the lead group on the flats of the Harlem. They were both totally stoked on the sport and paddling in those conditions. I think we'll see more from them in the future.
Daryl
Re: Mayor's Cup Aborted
waterbornewarrior
10/20/08 #5199
Anybody else note this nonsense?
“…many racing sleek, lightweight kayaks known as surf skis. The narrow vessels are designed to travel extremely fast atop flat water. They are popular in areas with warm water, like California and Hawaii.”
This might help a little?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/20/nyregion/20kayak.html?
Best story I've read about the Mayor's Cup……..
Larry Goolsby
10/21/08 #5206
I found this article on the Yahoo Surfski site written by a guy from the East coast named Cliff Roach. It's worth a few minutes of your time…..
[surfski] Mayors Cup and testosterone poisoningTuesday, October 21,
2008 6:35 PM
From: “Cliff Roach” <flyingriverdog@…>Add sender to
Contacts To: surfski@… am a new surfskier with a fairly steep learning curve currently.
Last year I did Mayors Cup in a V10 Sport, and though I never swam, I called out secretly for my mommy from Hells Gate to the finish line. I was hooked though. I bought a V10 within weeks, and a S1X this summer in a “how can you say no” deal. Being two hours from the ocean, it was not convenient, but I managed to get a half dozen long open water paddles in, including the Mayors cup course itself.
So when I arrived at Mayors Cup last Sunday, I felt infinitely more confident despite paddling a more tippy boat (S1X). That is, until I saw the hudson. I do remember looking out there and seeing something new, but felt I had lots of outs, including a dynamite remount (Lots of real world training there). In addition, I looked around and saw some 40 other skis, many of which were a lot more to handle than the S1X, and the pack mentality gel packed in my brain, “if they all can do it, so can I” (testosterone poisoning). That optimism was shattered when we lined up for departure. I saw a sight that stopped me dead. There was Oscar Chalupski right in front of me. When I saw that the great and mighty “O” was wearing a PFD, bubbles arose from the bucket beneath me. Here I am, a newby from landlocked Philadelphia strutting proudly with my pfd duct taped to the stern. It was like the click of the safety rail on a giant rollercoast sounding off.
And then the countdown started. Oh crap, here we go! Out of the gate in the middle of the pack, the bottleneck was impressive. I remember someone closing in on my left and even hitting my paddle. The boat in my front right was tracking left in front of me. I remember thinking, “if he would just track a little right, there would be plenty of room”. Now, I understand, he probably was aware of the barge, that so many discounted as a nuisance. I just backed off, and patiently waited for room to pass on the right, which I eventually did. I remember being aware of people swimming somewhere in that mayham, but never gave a second thought about their safety: just remount, or swim back to the dock. Right? I actually thought it was kinda funny, and something I am all too familiar with this summer. Only upon return did I find out how not funny that was. Within 100 feet of the placid cove now, I caught my first of many wet washes in the face. And, the taste of salt confirmed the tide status.
Turning upriver, I got my first full contact wave break to the shoulders within 500 feet. The race was on. Yes it was rough, but the waves were straight on. A routine of cresting and crashing insued. After a few minutes, I was deleriously happy as I began to realize that all that practice was paying off, and I felt stable. I decided to wear a polypropelene shirt with long wet pants. Many of us labored over what to wear, and agreed that any thermal comfort going up the hudson would be cursed once inside the sheltered Harlem. I was just right, and feeling good. At one point the nose was airborn up to my butt, when a gust caught the nose from the side and turned me quite authoritatively setting me up to crash into the next wave at an angle. To my astonishment, I survived. Hmmm, “Never done that before”. The waves seemed to be in series with occasional lulls where I could dig in. But many times all forward motion would was lost as you slapped off a crest and pitched squarely into the heart of the next wave. The entire paddling field would appear and disapear in front of you with the whims of the waves.
The entire paddle up to the GW bridge, I did not look at my GPS, or take a single sip from my tube for fear of swimming. I could not afford anything less than 100% attention, but it was working, and I was moving. I waited for the longest time to find a lull long enough to even pull my drinking tube which had worked its way under my leg. I think I was about mid pack, in the thick of the channel, and nearing the GW bridge when I saw the first skis coming downstream. They were thoughtful enough to just paddle right by without a word. I assumed the two had some kind of damage, or issue that made them give up. Then there were more, and some of them were stopping to talk to other paddlers, who then stopped too. When I got the news I was stunned. After training for two months, it was all over in the blink of an eye. I had a hard time understanding why we were turned back into the open rage of the Hudson, when the tranquil Harlem was within view. I thought of continuing anyway, but found out that the police boats blocked the entrance. I was again stunned to find that they stopped the elites too. I invested in a two hour drive to get there, but imagined what it would be like to invest in a 16 hour flight from South Africa to be turned back for conditions that you find “fun”. Oh well, should be able to scream down these faces on the way back.
I turned tail and caught my first good run, and the nose parked itself into the back of the proceding wave. The paddling stopped, the sound and feel of spray began and steadily increased. I was on it and flying. When I looked down at the GPS I was in disbelief, only 5 to 6 mph. Wow, the current was really ripping against us on the return. Downwind runs are still challenging for this newby, and on my second swim a police boat swung by to ask if I was alright. With a thumbs up, I remounted and headed off again leaving them looking confused. Within moments, I came upon a senior paddler in a sea kayak that was waving his hands to another police boat in surrender. He looked exhausted and possibly in medical trouble. As the boat manuevered, and grabbed for his bow, the unthinkable happened, he capsized. He did not roll. He did not wet exit. He did not appear to even be struggling as the seconds ticked louder. I remember the policeman on the boat with his blue jumpsuit, boots, radio and gun, as he uncontrollably murmered “oh no” out loud. We were both equal distance to the paddler, but I knew it would make more sense for the “already wet and crazy guy” to get him. They were stamering to decide their next move when I jumped in, leaving my ski and paddle bouncing in the soup. I reached under and grabbed his head and held it above the water, and swam him to the boat. He was understandably shaken, but fine, and I looked for the “OK” to jump back in and rescue my gear. But, the police asked where my PFD was. I pointed to the boat, and he scratched his head with NYPD disgust. “How will you get to it” he asked? This truly confused me. With a shrug of the shoulders I simply said “swim”. He struggled to believe that I was of sound mind and body, as we talked of kayak and paddle prices, swimming abilities, hyperthermia and other fun topics.
Eventually we came to terms. I smiled and he shook his head to hide his and tried to hide his “I know I am going to pay for this” grin. Then I made a beatiful swan dive into the Hudson off the back of a police boat. Looking back, he probably never saw anyone intentionally dive into the Hudson. God knows I haven't. Kudos to Ray and all the support staff. I know at least one kayaker that should be happy that police boats were there. I can't explain it, but I was suddenly aware that this day was going to be so much more memorable than if it was completed. Paddling back leisurely, taking in the sights, chatting with other paddlers, and all this as the water seemed to suddenly calm. The Gas was all out of the water by the time we returned to the cove, and it would best be described as typical harbor slop as I slid in. Gps showed 19.2 miles, and the rest of the day was spent hearing all the different angles of the events. It was a great day, and I hope we can do it all again next year.
Re: Mayor's Cup Aborted
Larry Bussinger <lbussing@…>
10/21/08 #5207
I finally found a computer. I found Mike G on the way back, on shore after the CG ordered us off the water. Later we finished paddling back. Erik had the 1-1/2 kt current, 20 mph opposing wind, and 3-5' right, but failed to mention “WASHING MACHINE”! I have yet to learn how to paddle in that stuff.
After deciding to start last to miss the pack (a good decision), I still managed to miss the pile-up by only 4 ft. 10 minutes into the race I was pivoting on top of a wave, got hit by a 25mph gust and broached. I spent another 5 minutes trying to get turned back into the wind. Half way across the river to New Jersy, I threw my legs over trying to get the boat to turn. In a uniform set, when I put my legs in, the feet wouldn't go under the foot straps. Finally had to do it by hand. The really bad stuff was over after 1/2 hour, but by then, I had spent too much energy and was getting tired. After 1-1/2 hour of paddling by myself, I was running into people going the other way, which was really confusing.
I wonder when the United States can put on a surfski race in waves? Some would think that a surfski race has to be in a washing machine in order to be called tough. Perhaps it could also be fun. I mean how do you practice for this stuff in the NW where you risk 50F water and hypothermia. I might stick to Hawaii.
Re: Mayor's Cup Aborted
Erik Borgnes
10/22/08 #5210
It's really too bad about the strong wind on race day. From any direction other than from the north, the water would have been much flatter and far easier to deal with. The waves made that barge a problem because when you turned out of the cove, you were visually presented with flat water in line with the barge or going immediately wide into the high waves. Unlucky this year. Next year will be better - weather couldn't have been worse for safety reasons, really.
It was good to see young paddlers out there. Morgan House, Brady Bragg, Dion Maxwell, Wes Hammer, Jade Bezidenhout -18, Katelyn McElroy, and I'm sure there were others, too. For some, it was their first big openwater race so it's a shame that the race was called off. I hope that they captured the energy of competing alongside legends like Barton, Chalupsky, McGregor and will start doing more openwater racing.
I believe it was Katelyn McElroy who was in the blue Mohican. When I saw the waves building I could only cringe thinking about what a handful that boat would have been with its flat C1-ish bottom. I believe it's her that we see capsizing on the start line once she hit the current in one of the Blip videos. Tough way to start out.
Great that Daryl and Think Kayaks sponsored some younger paddlers in the race. It's highly commendable to focus on the younger paddlers - us older folks have jobs and can provide for ourselves. The younger paddlers will get enthused about the sport and they'll bring in their friends to the sport. So, thank you Think Kayaks!
I downloaded the championchip race data from clicking on the link in the article on surfski.info. Great way to understand how the race was unfolding and where the current was. Surprisingly, there was a big difference in current between 100 m from shore and 300 m from shore and the faster guys were going way out deep. I noticed this during the race as I kept wanting to come in closer to shore for safety and shelter from the wind, but then would go back out again when I saw how much speed dropped. I spent an hour going up the Hudson 50 m behind Hemmens / Maxwell, and Hammer / Fifils and wasn't gaining any ground on either pair. We were all too far back from the lead group to catch them, but I think the 5 of us (7th - 11th place) would have had a good run on the Harlem and East rivers. Ian would have caught us if he'd been aware of the faster current out deep, though.
Erik
Re: Mayor's Cup Aborted
mike Gregory <falloff999@…>
10/22/08 #5211
Random Notes:
-To paraphrase M. Shea; never miss the opportunity to paddle ACROSS (at an angle to) big choppy conditions.
-USCG and the paddling community might do well to get to know each other better. Likewise, we paddlers would be well served by managing participation of varying skill levels in our events. Both parties would benefit from ongoing dialog, particularly in settings similar to the recent Mayors Cup event. Despite challenging conditions last Sunday on the Hudson most of the field was managing reasonably well out there. Apparently, the authorities, on the day, perceived differently. Surfski/High Performance Kayak racing is here to stay.
-BTW, the presence of the now infamous barge at the race start may be seen as emblematic of how seeming benign settings can go badly wrong. Thankfully, there were no casualties in NY and we can come away from the event feeling as though we got some good lessons that are eminently germane to the future of our racing.
Best Regards To All, Mike
Re: Mayor's Cup Aborted
Michael Gregory
10/22/08 #5212
The sense of it is that Surfski/High Performance Kayak Racing is such an obscure and little understood sport. Though press like this may seem comic at best, the tragic part is that what we need as racers is not yet fully realized by promoters or the authorities who police our courses. Might be good for racers to consult closely with both parties from here on out. No one else knows what goes out out there in the wind and waves like we do. MG.
Re: Mayor's Cup Aborted
kathleen petereit
10/22/08 #5213
I read that and was appalled ! What I like about the USSSC is that last year I was told the safety crew consisted of experienced surfski paddlers and they knew what to look for if a paddler was in trouble. They just need education about the sport. I am sure it was a learning experience for all and next year will be much better.
Kathleen
Re: Mayor's Cup Aborted
Jeff Hegedus <jhegedus@…>
10/22/08 #5214
Actually, Joe Glickman reports that it was the NY Harbor police, not the USCG, who shut it down.
NY Mayors Cup
Larry Bussinger <lbussing@…>
10/24/08 #5227
I posted some pictures to three albums. (They only take 5 pictures each) There is a good one of the notorious barge with three boats under it and one paddler on deck.
Re: leashes
Erik Borgnes
10/24/08 #5229
I pulled a really bonehead maneuver at the mayor's Cup race, though this might be debatable.
My mistake this year was to leave my leash at home when I went to NYC - odd because I'm kind of hyper about a boat to body leash. But, I pictured flat water like last year's race and reasoned that my chances of drowning in 65 F water from losing my ski and not being able to swim to shore while wearing my pfd were LESS than getting run over by a ferry or barge because I was tied to the ski - a la MG, but being chummed up under a much bigger boat. And, last year I capsized not 2 miles from the start (two of us collided while going for a wave), in the middle of the Hudson. With minimal wind, holding onto the ski and getting back on was not difficult to do.
But, this year, while I was way out in the middle of the Hudson in those big waves, I really wished that I was wearing a knee leash. The lightbulb realization was that the wind was going south while the current was going north - which is a recipe for instantly being separated from your ski. A Capsize there would instantly have pulled me apart from my ski or would have made reentry very difficult and the ski difficult to hold on to. So a capsize out there meant a swim, no question about it. And, with lots of others on the course, and with my pfd on, getting to shore in that warm water didn't worry me so much.
On the remainder of the course, assuming it was with the wind and with the current and on a narrower river, I'm not sure if I would have wanted a knee to ski leash. Maybe a paddle to ski leash would have been best in the specific circumstances of the Mayors Cup race? Or a knee leash on the Hudson that's got a quick release for the second half of the course?
I wonder if any of the paddlers that got drawn underneath the barge had leashes on and whether they would have been a help or a hindrance? My guess is that wearing a pfd would have helped them but wearing a leash might have made matters worse?
How many paddlers were wearing leashes that day?
Erik
Re: leashes
mike Gregory <falloff999@…>
10/24/08 #5230
Yo Bonehead,
Not sure if there is truly a right answer about what leash works best. However, I can tell you this:
-There have been circumstances in which I would have been toast if I were using a leg leash.
-There has only been one time that I've been thrown so violently from my ski that I lost my grasp while using a Paddle Leash.
-Many manufactured leashes will break in very strong wind. Take time to inspect your leash and satisfy yourself it will not part in an untimely fashion.
-Anybody can huli and lose their ski - - ANYBODY! No matter their skill level.
-So, cover your bases before venturing out on the briny; what's your fitness level, is your remount automatic, anticipate what the weather may do, let someone know your plan, paddle with a buddy.
-Respect your watery environment.
Mike
Re: leashes
lori & beau whitehead
10/24/08 #5231
I'm pretty sure surfers have been using leashes for an eternity, getting slammed by 30 foot waves exerting pressures of hundreds of PSI. They don't break that often, I've never broken one. Are kayak leashes made out of yarn or something?
Re: leashes
LeAnne Robinson <leanne.robinson@…>
10/24/08 #5232
As a “not so muscle-bound female” I want to say that I have had a leash snap (watch out for the cheaper traditional sea-kayaking leashes that are generally used for paddle to boat). The leash was body to boat. I have since switched to a Huki leash, which does not have plastic parts.
In the last two years I have lost my paddle twice- once my boat was some how thrown and it hit the paddle, twisting my arm backwards. I am not sure what happened the second time, but it was something similar that involved boat paddle-arm contact.
I just have to add this coment for anyone else who doesn't have arms and hands of steel. It is possible to lose the paddle even if the majority of people report *never* letting go of the paddle.
LeAnne
Re: leashes
Erik Borgnes
10/24/08 #5233
Yarn, Ha! I think the difference is that board leashes are attached to the back of the board where there is much less pull, whereas ski leashes are attached amidships where there is a huge pull on the ski. Someone needs to come up with a simple system of attaching one to the bow that can slide back to the middle of the ski. A line on a line sort of thing.
Erik
Re: leashes
mike Gregory <falloff999@…>
10/24/08 #5234
Yo Bo, yer surfboard is not 20ft long nor does it weigh 25-30lbs. So, a surfski is kinda like a sail or a kite in big winds - offers a lot of wind resistance . . . . yep, all that force generated by that strong wind blowing on that long ski really tugs hard on that leash, surfskiers get this. Check it out - when a ski blows away it tumbles at right angles to the wind and the more it blows the faster it goes. If it's blowing more than 15-20 kts and your ski gets away there is no way you'll be able to swim and get it back. Think about it. If ya have any doubts come out with us come the next big blow. I'm certain sure that we can arrange a little controlled demonstration that is guaranteed to impress.
Mike.
Re: leashes
mike Gregory <falloff999@…>
10/24/08 #5235
Easily done. Big water sailors have used such systems for a long time - stout lines that run fore and aft from the cockpit, a leash from a body harness with a snap-shackle that clips on and slides along with ya, as ya work the deck. Elegant in it's simplicity and effective in it's function!
Re: leashes
lori & beau whitehead
10/24/08 #5236
Easy tiger… I have no doubt you are right. My point was that if 'skiers are breaking leashes that often, it might be time to design a better leash.
By the way, my paddle board does weigh 28 lbs but is only 14 feet long and does not have near the wind catching profile of a ski. Even with a low profile, it flies away from me if I am unleashed and fall in the wind.
BW
Re: leashes
mike Gregory <falloff999@…>
10/24/08 #5237
BTW . . . I was not using a leash that day and I didn't have a PFD either. Were I to have been using such devices . . . never mind.
Re: leashes
Reivers Dustin
10/24/08 #5240
A proper leash would be the next to the last in your ring of safety. That's viewing safety in layers, where the last ring of defense would perhaps be the VHF. You want a lot of other defenses between you and harm. Not paddling under boats would be one of the outer rings of defense, as would be; fitness, clothing, judgement of conditions.
I'm asked about leashes a lot. I suspect the listener is giving me a subtle I.Q. test. They are really saying, “so you paddle a surfski. Do you have any working brain cells? Prove it by showing some of the higher brian functions.”
I believe the sport is new enough to not have a “right answer” to the question of leashes yet. Also, paddlers are constructed so differently that there never will be a right answer. It's gratifying to see so many versions and enginuity of attachments. Some folks seem to have the fitness & natural ability to focus under duress such that a leash might never be tested. My favorite plan today is influenced by Morris. A calf leash is good for normal paddles, (there for surprises, but out of the way). A paddle to boat leash is better where conditions are really heavy. In 30mph heavy seas, it's like the famous quote, nothing so concentrates the mind as knowing you'll be hanged in a fortnight. I've done it and I like it better with the paddle and boat affixed.
But I'm not selling anything to anyone else. Except get a dang radio. And hey, didn't Erik B. light this fuse? What's your method Erik?
Reivers
Epic Leash Vs North Water Leash
Bob Putnam
10/24/08 #5241
At the Mayor's Cup I dumped once on the way back. Surfing a wave I wiped out. My foot was stuck in the foot strap but I managed to get it out with no big deal. My first remount attempt failed and after getting back in on my second attempt I noticed to my horror that my leash strap had come undone!! Try wrapping the leg leash strap around your ankle with one hand in 4 foot waves. I think it was operator error which caused the strap to come undone. Maybe I didn't secure the velcro enough.
At Deep Cove Outdoors we carry two models of leg leashes. North Water and Epic. Last year I had a dialogue with North Water Rescue gear about the short comings of their leash. They rectified the problem.
One problems was that the coil and the lead was too short. When a 6' person was in the water beside their ski there was a fair bit of tension causing the ski to be pulled over on its side. They solved the problem by making the lead which attaches to the ski longer (about 8 inches) and by making the coil longer. The added a hook that you can detach from the leg strap. It makes it a bit easier for launching surf. The plastic hook and plastic D-ring it attaches to are pretty strong. Under a fair bit of tension the hook doesn't show any sign of weakness.
Epic's leash is much the same. They use a metal hook which I think is stainless…not sure. Their coil is shorter, but the leg strap is bigger and can easily wrap around your upper calf.
One problem with both hooks is that if you twist the hook and pull pull it back on the D-Ring it will un-hook.
The THINK Legend has a nice leash attachment point on the inside of the cockpit area.
Last year I saw two run-away surf skis. It happened pretty quick. In on instance the ski was rolling along the water like a log. In the other case, it was April and the paddler dumped in the middle of Deep Cove. It was only seconds and the ski was out of reach and moving away quickly. He was only 500m from shore. Had nobody come to his aid it would have been a long cold swim. 500 metres equals 10 minutes of swimming in a pool wearing a bathng suit.
Paddlers should practice recovering a ski that is adrift. The best method is to come along side the adrift ski. Put one foot inside the adrift ski and use your other foot to steer your surf ski.
Bob
Re: leashes
Erik Borgnes
10/24/08 #5242
I always paddle alone (though not by choice). Usually, I choose appropriate routes that, worse case scenario, blow me in towards shore. But, weather changes and I've been caught out a few miles from shore in a developing offshore wind. That doesn't have to happen more than once to become a learning experience.
My last line of defense now is an Epic knee leash. It fits above my knee and has a quick release so that I can release it quickly if I need to, it doesn't get caught under my feet, and it won't slide down over my foot like a calf (under the knee) leash might when you're swimming. I've got a Mocke pfd that I virtually always wear, too, because it's light and comfortable and has two big pockets that virtually disappear when they are empty. Still need to get a VHF, though.
I've used a homemade paddle to boat leash in past years, and in most conditions, I trust that one too. A good system might be to use a paddle to boat leash as standard and to carry another 3 ft length of line that can be quickly attached from pfd to the paddle or paddle leash. A possible scenario might be that you're way off shore and the wind and water start to get ugly. Throw your feet over the sides, take the short line from your pfd pocket and clip one end on your pfd and the other end on the paddle or paddle leash. I suppose one end could be permanently fixed to the pfd but stuffed into the pocket.
I ran into one problem this summer when I practiced swimming my ski and paddle in to shore from about 300 m out in 2-4' waves. That's really slow going. The best would be to have been able to stuff the paddle under some bungees and attach the leash to the bow so that you could swim and tow the ski while the ski is not dragging sideways. One possibility might be to use that bow to cockpit line on a line method. Another might be to glass a hole in the bow to serve as an attachment point (maybe someone like your man Sterling could retrofit that to production skis?). Another might be to contact cement a NRS raft D ring:
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product_list.asp?deptid=1080
to the bow and transfer the leash from amidships to the D-ring if you're going to swim but don't want to lose the bouyancy and visibility of the boat. Let me know if you test one of these.
Erik
Re: Epic Leash Vs North Water Leash
Larry Bussinger <lbussing@…>
10/24/08 #5243
After seeing how fast the plastic hook comes undone, I wouldn't use it. I think you can help the situation with the hooks by attaching it to a 3“ diameter loop. this way the loop will just twist as opposed to letting a hook get enough purchase to unsnap. Another point I'd like to make in regards to swiming in cold water, is that your heart rate will sky rocket close to max when you hit the cold water, consequently you don't have any HR left to swim with. Years ago, I was lucky to make it 50' to shore.
Larry B
