Surfski Knowledge Base

Kimberly Reeves
09/28/19 #25505

Today was not a day for novices and many of the most experienced paddlers I know called it quits when the gusts were averaging 35…Julie and I were no exception.

I was trying to come up with a mental laundry list of things we coulda done better to be safer out there today. We had PFDs and leashes, no surprise there. I carried my VHF for the first time this season…. good job Kim :)

The Gemini definitely needed the surfing rudder, the wind and waves were pushy and I had moments of no steering control and a flurry of waves hit our beam with gusto. Also, I hadn’t transitioned into colder weather preparedness… time to start carrying an extra paddle and dust off the neoprene.

I’m not quite ready to surrender to Fall, but I guess it’s time to up my game.
Be safe out there.

michaelwood
09/28/19 #25506

Yes it was sporty today. Good going everyone. (…)

David Hooper
09/28/19 #25507

Sue and I got down to MP about 11, thinking to do some “protected” laps there. Ran into Eric Grossman too. 'Twas blowing pretty good, without much protection for put-in and take-out at MP. So we thought maybe putting in at the CBC and paddling north along the shore would allow some good downwind back. But at the CBC, things were rocking even crazier. We stood there checking things out for a few minutes, debating whether or not to even put in. While doing so, we watched three boats break free of the dock at Seaview boatworks, just across from the CBC dock and launch. Dominos: A 20'ish cabin cruiser came loose first, then knocked into a sailboat behind it and that came loose too. Meanwhile, the bow line on a powerboat at the end of the dock broke free, and that boat was peeling off, held only by it's stern line, engines banging into the dock. Calling Seaview only got the answering machine, so Eric buzzed over there and found someone to notify while I called 911, who put me in touch with the Fire Dept. They sent over a crew to start rounding up all the loose boats. Meanwhile, Gary, Dorothy, Sue, Eric and I helped Erica, head of the CBC, dismantle their large awning which had flipped, concrete blocks and all, over the back fence of the CBC and landed on top of a small Boston Whaler that the CG had on a trailer there. When that was done, we watched the CG and Fire Dept. folks rescuing the stray boats for a while more. Then we decided they probably had enough on their hands for the day, without us going out onto the Bay too. So we just went home. No paddling, but lots of excitement.

Dave H.

Paul Reavley

09/28/19 #25508

Hopefully some of the folks doing downwinders to Samish Island and Wildcat will share their videos. I was reminded by Shawn Clarke recently to consider Lk. Whatcom as a potentially milder option for days like today where you might do a downwinder if conditions are right or laps with far less distance involved (and with houses mostly nearby) if you go off course…

Nicholas Cryder
09/28/19 #25509

Bunch of us did a Harbor to Sammish Island run (12.5 miles), and it was big enough that a few GoPro’s were lost on the run. I had my mouth GoPro which other then making it a little harder to breath is a super handy way to shoot. The run was truly a fantastic one; notched a few 3 minute KM without having to work that hard . The last mile was silly big as the bay shallows out… but the eelgrass was really bad and an awkward beach exit. Guess that’s the trade off for warm air.

From a safety POV, we used the buddy system, and managed to surf within 100 yards of each other at all times…. which is great because it vastly reduces the variables as long as the pace is surfing focused (vs race pace).

That said, I think I heard about a missing paddler / CG rescue. Any updates?!?

allipp@…

09/28/19 #25510
Edited 09/28/19

Good news, the missing paddler Nicholas is referring to swam to shore and emerged from the woods!

Bad news, Beau and I both lost our GoPros on the same day. Mine when I got tumbled on a hidden rock at the takeout (it was on a head mount), and Beau's somewhere before one of our regrouping stops.

Duncan Howat
09/28/19 #25511

Just to clarify: NOAA has gale warning posted till 4 this afternoon for San Juans I,and northern inland waters. Thats sustained 39 to 54 MPH. Full wet suit at least a 2-3 or more for me now. Summer in the Gorge, not so much, but all that's over now. D

Reivers Dustin
09/28/19 #25512

I heard that someone in the morning group tried to talk to them about safety before these three ladies launched and was ignored. It can be so frustrating when you are not heard. You want to slap the more experienced two for leaving that newby on her own out there. The new paddler must have had good gear. Sounds like a very long swim and walk out.

So I guess we've donated some go-pros and maybe a boat and paddle. Hope it's enough for Neptune. Somebody could get their eye poked out.

Kimberly Reeves
09/28/19 #25513

Actually, the newbie got to her destination. I’m sure there is lots to debrief. julie and I discussed our role in this incident… why we were not more vocal and forceful about safety and the conditions… It is a reflective moment to consider our rile in keeping the ohana safe… use your voice and speak your mind :)

The “reverse downwinder”
lori & beau whitehead
09/28/19 #25514

Bellingham Marina to Samish Island. 12.5 miles. Crankin.' I mean really crankin.' It literally got good .25 miles into the bay. And it was good the entire way. 5 skis, 2 OC2's and 2 OC1's. Not sure the direction could have been any better if it had been a wave machine. Days like today are rare for sure. I will say that the take-out sucked a$$. Rocky, and no hiding from the gales. And tight stairs and switchbacks up to the road. I was dubious at 8:00 this morning when we had to go drop trucks and trailer down there, but it was worth it.

Bummer to get back into Bellingham to find out one of our OC1 paddlers was missing from a shorter MP to Wildcat run. 2 hours of stress and communication with Peter, and our fireboat… All ended well after a broken leash and an hour swim to shore. Could you survive that swim? If not you better check your gear.

Oh, and Ana & Wilson went out for another run in the afternoon. Damn kids.