Surfski Knowledge Base

Reivers Dustin
11/18/17 #22217

quite a turn out. Simon (!) was the only paddler to beat the train to MP. So I ended up rigging my boat right there on the street in front of the train. But once we pulled into MP there was a whole parade of paddlers. Eckarts and Swetish's put two paddlers each into the brine. I tried to keep up with the kids and never closed the gap. Interesting how they kept powered up going down the wall. Most of them turned out into the downwinder at the South end of the wall.

I kept thinking about the whole other gang going downwind from Larrabee. So I wanted to go to Whiskey Rock and see if I could spot these rascals. I never saw them. But my plan was pretty good. There was a lot of Easterly today so I was able to tuck into shore and paddle south in the lee. Also I could look out and see big waves rolling north out wide to the West. Dean tagged along (grumping and groaning like he does). We turned out just north of whiskey and it was nice. Fast rollers with some mixed chop. Outside of chuckanut bay it was more challenging like usual. If your timing was good it was fun. Once in a while I would founder and have to work hard to get back in synch.

The other gang had their own raindeer games going on. Rumor is someone played bumper boats with someone else. This is a real thing I've noticed before. Just ask LG (search youtube for sternwheeler crash). When we get rides we need to really give each other room. If you are riding behind someone at speed, good chance of fiberglass rash if anything unexpected happens. I've broached in front of people before and I've had folks crowd me on a wave. Someone could get their eye poked out.

I guess don't paddle next to anyone who is maybe tired of their boat and wants a new one.

rd

Larry Bussinger
11/19/17 #22220

Yeah, the bumper car thing… we didn't actually hit, but the six inches of clearance got into my bracing space. A couple of other things happened though which I've never heard discussed before. I got back up the first time alright, but went in again. Now I began to have problems. One, while in the water, my paddle was being pushed up against me by the current or boat drift and I couldn't get the paddle to the surface, so I had to let go of the boat. Belt leash behind me and paddle leash were a very good thing. Two, after I got back on, the sidewise boat drift kept turning my rudder so I couldn't get the boat to turn down wind and I didn't feel comfortable putting my feet back in with the calapitus beam sea. I also couldn't get my feet back under the foot strap. At one point, the boat drift pushed my downwind blade up against the boat and held there. Now the blade is trying to trip the boat and I don't have anything to brace with. Yanked like crazy to get my paddle back. A brief lull let me get a foot back in to steer and get me moving again. David, Mark, and Dennis held station, but it took awhile and it was uncomfortable for ALL of us. Third, I didn't get very cold in my 3/2 wetsuit, but it did mess with my equilibrium. It was hard to keep speed up after that. My steering also felt “weird” so I inspected it when I got home. One foot peddle was an inch off for the rudder to be centered. Still thinking about that, but I think the cable has slipped in the clevis in back. It's not obvious.
I also lost my watch. It must have gotten torn off. It's a cheap watch, so not a big deal, but I had just changed the damn battery two days ago!
Not a real comfortable day, and shit can happen.
Larry B

Reivers Dustin
11/19/17 #22221

You went with body leash and paddle leash? I've done it and felt good with it. So in the scenario where it's very hard to manage boat and paddle at same time, I really like being able to let go of things. So also that thing where if feels like everything conspires to dis-incorporate. Boots feel like they want to come off, paddle sticks wrong, boat won't move right, etc. Jim S. has that story about Lake Washington swim. I would love to hear someone explain why there's days like that and then the next time you are like platinum. Everything is fun, it's all golden, boat works right, … Is there a pill I can take? Maybe I'm taking too many. I dunno. I guess it's better now that I've eased off on the beer and cheerios breakfasts.

rd