ORC Safety Concerns/Issues

I agree! BTW where is he? I didn't see him this year

He had some family obligations happening. I'm sure he'll be there next year   

did you check your relief zipper?  It sounds silly, but I know several people who have forgotten to zip it and found themselves with a bunch of water suddenly pouring in.

Rule #3: Beware of Bathrooms.

(actually, a lot of these Zombieland rules are spot on for sea kayaking

http://www.zombielandrules.com/

Bump. With conditions looking to be on the challenging side for ORC please give this thread a read. Lots of good information for the newbie and experienced yak angler.

Please take Noah's advice and do some reading through this thread. I don't mean to offend anyone in particular but having worked on the rescue end of things (swift water for the BLM and in my current day job), I'm gonna make the 'dad' statement here....

Don't let the excitement of the event of ORC smoke your self assessment mirrors and blind you to your own ability level and physical condition. Please! Especially you new to the salt folks (I consider myself one). On game day, if conditions are challenging, there would be no shame in saying "it's a bit above my head today, I'm staying in." Don't let the fact others are going out in challenging conditions sway you into thinking you can go too. There are a lot of OG's here (I'm not one of them) who have the experience and skills to fish when others can not. They simply can and they paid their dues and have the scars and stories to prove it.

The other part you need to ask yourself is if you get into trouble, can you get yourself out of it completely unassisted? What if your VHF takes a dump, you lose your knife, and no one is around where you are fishing?

I've been around water all my life, am pretty fit, and have a bit of experience but for me the ocean is definitely the graduate school of kayak fishing. There just are so many variables and challenges. Add a fishing rod and a cluttered deck and hooks and heavy line and it's hugely unforgiving. I'm uneasy every time I go out even in best of conditions. If Saturdays conditions ended up as predicted, it would make me pause and think about hanging out and helping with the taco feed or cleaning fish. Hopefully the fish gods are kind and damper the wind until after 2......just remember, there's no shame in staying safe if things get rough.

Have fun and catch big fishes.

  Thanks for the timely bump Noah.

  I just took a look at Magicseaweed for conditions Saturday.
 
  They are calling for 5' swells out of the NNW at 7 seconds with 2-4' surf (Lincoln City).

  High and Tight ... Sounds like it could be a bit bumpy.............

  Hope it will calm down some, too.

One of the most important lessons of how to fish safely in the ocean is knowing when to not fish in the ocean.  NWKA doesn't provide any official rescue platform for the ORC beyond the wisdom of the forum.

That said, it's waaaay too early for anyone to cancel plans.  The surf forecast in Oregon is a blind guess a week out.  3 days out and it becomes an educated guess.  The day before it's good odds.  The only sure thing is what you see in the morning before you paddle out.

-Spot-

Read threw the whole thing twice. Now who wants to do a fishing trip at PC in the am followed by a recovery clinic closer to shore out of the breakers after so we are not fresh out he box recovering. If some one can get me info on the dory charters I will see how much they want to have a boat stand by for an hour or so unless someone here can bring a kodiak in which case I think we can take up a collection for the gas for and tow rigs tank to have it there. Anyone interested?

That should be a different thread, let's keep this focused on ORC.

  I just took a look at Magicseaweed for conditions Saturday.
 
  They are calling for 5' swells out of the NNW at 7 seconds with 2-4' surf (Lincoln City).

  High and Tight ... Sounds like it could be a bit bumpy.............

  Hope it will calm down some, too.

5' @7sec is doable but not comfortable.  If that's the average swell, remember that half the swells will be larger.  Expect some 9'+ rollers.

  I just took a look at Magicseaweed for conditions Saturday.
 
  They are calling for 5' swells out of the NNW at 7 seconds with 2-4' surf (Lincoln City).

  High and Tight ... Sounds like it could be a bit bumpy.............

  Hope it will calm down some, too.

5' @7sec is doable but not comfortable.  If that's the average swell, remember that half the swells will be larger.  Expect some 9'+ rollers.

Be sure to yell Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!  as you slide down the other side.   

I foresee quiet a lot of "chum" in the water... blah!

I'm not terribly worried about the swell and period.  I've taken multiple newbies out in worse conditions.....  But, have y'all seen the tides for Saturday? 

-1.5 at 6:43AM 

I'd advise everyone to pull over near the bridge and watch the conditions for a while before committing. 

-Spot-

Oregon Razor Clam Classic. ORCC

I foresee quiet a lot of "chum" in the water... blah!

Sacrifices to Neptune.

Currents are going to be ripping! Always be aware of where you are and how far you have driffed. There is a bell at the entrance to the channel if you don't let yourself go past it before resetting your drift you will never have to paddle uphill to get home.