A Disturbing Trend

Im new to kayaking, My first tiime kayaking ever, I went to san juans, second trip deception pass, third trip scatchet head, fourth was shilshole and smith cove... That water is cold, and a guy i saw had chest waders on, and I asked him what he is going to do when he falls in , and he said what do you mean? i SAID EXACTLY. death sentence, I learned fast and have taken on some pretty nasty water, Ilove it

Im new to kayaking, My first tiime kayaking ever, I went to san juans, second trip deception pass, third trip scatchet head, fourth was shilshole and smith cove... That water is cold, and a guy i saw had chest waders on, and I asked him what he is going to do when he falls in , and he said what do you mean? i SAID EXACTLY. death sentence, I learned fast and have taken on some pretty nasty water, Ilove it

Love it too!

-Allen

This site is the first step that prospective Kayak anglers should do. I lurked for quite awhile and realized that there was an amazing amount of information here for the asking. After coming out of the lurker closet, I started asking questions and haven't shut up since.

The first time I surfed launched, two very experienced NWKA guys helped me read the lay of the sea, so to speak. As an educator there is nothing better than learning first hand from an experienced mentor.

In a sport where bad decisions can bring devastating consequences. Why wouldn't a newbie seek advice and guidance from people with more experience? Especially so, when it is freely given. (The second step of learning the ropes). Unfortunately, this doesn't always happen.  Thus this rambling commentary comes full circle as a have to agree with others on this site and watch Darwin's theory at work.

Wobbler

By the way... Ling Banger, Craig and Sinker, thanks for the advice and companionship that has led to an obsession with "The Salt"

Wobbler, how you could pinpoint me as a source of inspiration when you are the very definition of the word is an absolute mystery to me. But thanks.

Nobody likes to be "captain safety" and tell people what to do and how they should be doing it. Using the search function on the site and asking the correct questions when you can't find what you're looking for goes a long way.

Two environments on this planet that situations can go from peachy to "holy hell what have I got myself into" are mountains and marine. They are both very accessible in this region and the their beauty makes for strong temptation to explore and discover. You just always have to prepare yourself the best you can for things when they turn to ugly.

I personally hate asking a question on this sight, just to get some guy who I'm sure has never posted a fish pic outside of the local trout pond, to ask me why I'm not wearing my helmet. Or how did I dare go out in that weather?

The guy who got me into kayak fishing was wearing jeans and a jacket in the strait in Feb.

If safety advice is asked for? Then please give it, if someone wants to know the best place to look up the tides??? Don't start with a sermon on  hypothermia.

We can spend all week in the ocean, 5 ft waves just to get killed on the drive home.

The guy who got me into kayak fishing was wearing jeans and a jacket in the strait in Feb.

What?  No PFD? ... Sorry, couldn't resist!   

-Allen

I am of two minds on the subject.  I'm a DIY sort of guy and believe in the school of hard knocks - I grew up in a house with NO child-proofing.  And yet I would like everyone to be aware of the risks they take. 

I bought my first fishing kayak before I ever found this site.  I thought I had invented kayak fishing.

I am a solo angler and can count on my fingers the number of times I have planned a kayak fishing trip with another.  My very first two solo cruises were by myself on a small lake.  My third solo cruise was on Puget Sound. 

My professional and personal background is heavy on risky behaviors and formal and informal risk assessment.  I knew before I ever started kayak fishing I was NOT going to die on the water, and set about to ensure that outcome.  I bought my dry suit before my first hull got wet and have never been on a yak without it - even on Moses and Potholes Lakes and in the depth of summer.  I learned very early you drown after getting to too cold for your muscle chemistry to work.  It won't matter how much you want to swim, nor how much you pray to swim, the laws of thermodynamics will prevent it, and you will slip below the waves, terrified and regretful, gulping salt water.

Safety information is out there and readily available.  I learned virtually everything about safety from NWKA.  There is enough on this site alone to keep someone safe provided they take the information to heart and have half a brain.

Here is a statistic I carry with me.  80% of all small plane accidents are pilot error/arrogance.  That means only 1/5 of all small plane accidents are from factors beyond the pilot's control, and I suspect the number is closer to 1/10. 

We are all our own worse enemies.  Don't be that guy.  I'll save my sympathy for his survivors.

   
  With almost 500 views and over 20 responses in less than 24 hours--there is an obvious concern out there.

  It pleases me that others see what I have been seeing.
  Thanks to all of you that have responded. There have been some great comments made and wonderful advice shared by our members. In an effort to prevent tragedy amoungst our ranks --all of your comments are appreciated and welcomed.

  Just yesterday ,I was talking to a PUD employee who mentioned he had bought a Jackson Cuda last year but hadn't been out a whole lot. My 1st response was to suggest he check out NWKA to help him learn pretty much everything he could about safety, rigging his kayak, fishing hot spots, teaming up with others for trips, and any thing else he might be interested in relating to kayaking. I honestly believe that he will check out the site. and he will learn.
  Before leaving this man --I invited him to come to my house and I will show him -in person- how I have rigged up my Hobie. Things like pole holders, fish-finder, and milk crate for packing gear while on the water. I didn't do this to be showing off--but to allow him to see possible options for rigging up his own kayak. Then we started talking about fishing some of the local waters. And I invited him to join me fishing the Willapa River, Willapa Bay, Smith Creek, North River ,Naselle River, and maybe Westport, and  to consider joining NWKA folks for the Slammin Salmon Tournament September 28th at John's River
  He didn't come over last night--but I think he'll come by soon. It feel.s good to share my excitement and enthusiasm with a guy new to kayaking. And I hope that excitement transfers to him and his family.

   Again thanks to all who have read and/or responded to this thread. Lots of great ideas and thoughts.
 
   And a very special thanks to those that started this site back in 2006. You created a monster.(in a good way).

 

We just need a fire marshal BIll section. Let me tell you something.

Very well put, excellent comments. Thanks for sharing!


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We just need a fire marshal BIll section. Let me tell you something.

Well, there is a "For Safety's Sake" section.  One problem when discussing safety is that there are very few absolutes, rather there are various degrees of right and wrong depending on the situation.  No one likes to be told they are doing something wrong, when in fact perhaps in that situation it wasn't wrong at all, while in another situation it may have entirely been wrong.

Trying to teach safety (or preach safety) is difficult due to this.  In many ways, it's much easy to learn on your own, but we all could learn from others as well.  There are many people here with scars on their back who learned the hard way.  I appreciate hearing their stories, but appreciate the preachy aspect of safety less so.

At the end of the day, it's about situational awareness ... knowing the risks, knowing what could happen, knowing how to prevent them from happening, and knowing what to do when shit hits the fan.

-Allen

As one of the new members that is likely part of the disturbing trend here are some thoughts.

I'm new to kayaking and newer to fishing.  Combining the two has definitely been a learning experience.  I'm lucky to have a very slow part of the Willamette 5 minutes away so I go out fairly often.  Rarely alone but never with anybody more experienced than I am.  I'm a little (ok a lot) paranoid of water when I can't see the bottom so I always have a lifejacket on with my whistle strapped to the collar.  Never even thought about cold water gear until reading a thread here.

I have been a life guard, spent time on boats skiing, and love the peacefulness of being out in my kayak.  That being said, I have no clue what to watch out for.  100% of what I know about kayak safety has been gathered through random threads.  I have actually leaned some things from the "safetys sake" section here.

If anybody here rides motorcycles you have likely seen plenty of new rider events.  I could see something similar for kayaking.  A lot of new riders have no clue what they are doing or what to watch out for.  Put them with some experienced people for a day and they come away feeling much more comfortable and safer.

A lot of the people (myself included) don't know they are doing stupid things until somebody points them out.  Not many people want to point these things out to a stranger so we shake our heads and move on hoping they don't become a statistic.  I think some sort of class would go a long way in educating those willing to admit they need the advice.

A lot of the people (myself included) don't know they are doing stupid things until somebody points them out.  Not many people want to point these things out to a stranger so we shake our heads and move on hoping they don't become a statistic.  I think some sort of class would go a long way in educating those willing to admit they need the advice.

Great point, and nice analogy to the "new riders" program. I think the knowledge piece is naturally transferred when you fish with some of the more experienced members on this site. First hand knowledge when you're out on the water with a pro is hard to beat. Still, a safety class is not a bad idea maybe twice a year or so. The issue is, with the amount of new kayak fisherman that join every year, th class would have to be regularly scheduled which requires a ton of coordination and time from the sponsor.
What would be pretty cool is some sort of youtube channel by one of our NWKA vets on basic safety topics, gear advice, DAMHIK stories, self rescues, reading weather reports and how it relates to kayak fishing,  and whatever else we have scattered throughout the site, readily accessible on one channel for all our newbies. Granted most of that stuff is already on youtube, but it would be nice to have a channel NWKA specific to our community and the waters we fish dedicated to our newbies with some sweet visual aids.
My 2 cents.

Still, a safety class is not a bad idea maybe twice a year or so. The issue is, with the amount of new kayak fisherman that join every year, th class would have to be regularly scheduled which requires a ton of coordination and time from the sponsor.

Most kayak shops already have an "intro to kayaking" class that I'd suggest any new paddler take.  There are also all sorts of more intermediate classes offered.   While not specifically targeting SOT's, it wouldn't be much of a stretch for them to offer a few special classes.

-Allen

I was... well probably still am one of those fore mentioned newbies, but when I got my yak I knew what I wanted to do with it, and stayed in a somewhat controlled environment (small lakes) and progressed to the point I felt comfortable going into Puget sound and fishing.  I still don't go very far from shore and im mindful of where the wind/current are taking me and use my common sence... which is where a lot of people get into trouble I think because they like stated get the best rig money can buy and think their invincible and nothing will happen... day one on my yak I fell into lake meridian (in 2ft of water mind you )  I always take my pfd with me, extra jacket, rain coat, make sure the wife knows where Im going, things like that so I have a sort of safety net.  Last time I was out in the sound I saw a guy in a sit inside yak in only a t-shirt paddling in windy 2ft chop and just shook my head as he quickly passed... I love this sport were all addicted to and don't wish ill of anyone I just hope that when people paddle/peddle they remember all their stuff and especially their common sense when theyre out there so they make it home safely