Surfski Knowledge Base

Reivers Dustin
07/30/09 #6725

Last night's paddle was a little disorganized. There was trouble for those trying to use the boat launch and extreme crowding on the water. We've adjusted somewhat to all the risks of powered vessels. But, a new safety issue was exposed.

One of our racers collided with a swimmer. I would not expect severe harm from this impact, but read the post from the swimmer below. (Something like two pedestrians, I would think.) I also would expect a person swimming in these waters to vigilant of all other traffic for their own safety. But regardless of my assumptions, I would never want to run into a swimmer and the two parties involved seem to have that higher value in mind.

To clarify, after the contact the paddler was careful to support the safety of the swimmer. Knowing that there were more paddlers coming along the course, the paddler escorted the swimmer to the shore. This occured in a part of the course where there are quite a few mooring buoys. There were a couple of paddlers ahead. Also at this time of day there were some reflection and navigation distractions.

- - -(swimmer's message) - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Hello, I found you by searching Wednesday Night Kayaking on google. I'm not sure if your the host of the race or not. I was just hoping you could share my story with the other racers, for the safety of others.

I was swimming near silver beach today when a kayak ripped my head open. At the time I didn't realize anything serious had happened and the guy who hit me followed me to shore. After I let him go I discovered the three inch gash on my head which I just had repaired with 8 staples.

- - (reply from a paddler) - - - - -
….I do attend the Wednesday night race when I can get the night off … but I do not run the race. This race is not organized so there is not a host or person that controls what happens. Paddlers show up and start out paddling based on their abilities with the fastest paddlers going last. There are no rules or fees or anyone in control. I can post a warning on the website that some of the paddlers use. I'll post your story. I am sorry that you had this unfortunate incident and I will do what I can to see that paddlers do avoid swimmers in the future.
Thanks for contacting me

Re: Swimmer incident
dnjacobson79
07/30/09 #6726

I was a few boat lengths ahead of the boat which made contact with the paddler and almost hit him with my paddle. He was under water and popped up right infront of my right paddle stroke. I had turned out before the beach to give the swimmers space, but never saw this guy who was further out than the other people swimming in the area till I was right on him.

Re: Swimmer incident
Michael Gregory
07/30/09 #6727

-Swimmers may not sense an approaching surfski. Especially a fast ski and rider with smooth powerful stroke, eg. DJ. Powered boats are much easier to sense by a swimmer, but they come on soo fast.

-We play in a pretty uncontrollable environment guys. Mitigating water-sport risks with safety management strategies is always a good idea, but it's still uncontrollable out there.

-Thank goodness there were no severe injuries. Best wishes to swimmer and surfski rider. May we always share the water.
Mike.

Re: Swimmer incident
Erik Borgnes
07/30/09 #6728

Aren't there rules or something for open water swimmers so that they can maximize their safety? Divers have the floatie with the red and white flag. Swimmers are kind of invisible - like manatees - and vulnerable to getting run over.

Might not hurt to look into the legal issues here as “someone” might ask for “damages” at some point in the future.

A quick search shows this to be Seattle's municipal code:
Swimming is prohibited except: in designated swimming areas within 50 feet from shore, unless the swimmer is accompanied by a boat which is within 25 feet of the swimmer

Couldn't find anything for all of Washington state.

ERik

Re: Swimmer incident
Michael Gregory
07/30/09 #6730

Swimmers choosing to venture out onto a very crowded lake alone on a hot summer eve may not get a great deal of sympathy from the courts. Manatees are one thing, bonehead swimmers occupy a separate and distinct category.

Re: Swimmer incident
Jeff Hegedus <jhegedus@…>
07/30/09 #6737

The take home should just be to have awareness that there may be swimmers on the lake where they may not be expected.