There are additional comments and photos at the National Center for Cold Water Safety’s FB page:
"This incident is a reminder that although it’s extremely dangerous to kayak on very cold water without thermal protection, it’s suicidal to do so without a PFD - even if you’re very close to shore. "
https://www.facebook.com/pg/coldwatersafety/posts/?ref=page_internal
I note per the Cold Water Safety site that there have been at least 13 kayak and canoe capsize fatalities in the US this year just since March 1st. Bad start to the season.
The Grim Reaper’s annual rite of Spring. Shame, such young men.
While not related to any body of water, this is one hypothermia death I’m having a hard time understanding:
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2017/05/michigan_tech_student_who_died.html
He was a U.P. native, not some kid from a downstate city with no idea how harsh the environment is up there. Nineteen years old.
and a non fatal capsize and rescue of a not so young buck
http://www.pressherald.com/2017/05/01/coast-guard-says-right-equipment-helped-kayaker-survive-after-capsize/
@Rookie said:
While not related to any body of water, this is one hypothermia death I’m having a hard time understanding:
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2017/05/michigan_tech_student_who_died.htmlHe was a U.P. native, not some kid from a downstate city with no idea how harsh the environment is up there. Nineteen years old.
The exact opposite. Downstate city kid might fear the weather more. UP from there might figure he’s used to it and can handle it. Besides when you’re 19 you think you are indestructible.
@kayamedic said:
and a non fatal capsize and rescue of a not so young buck
http://www.pressherald.com/2017/05/01/coast-guard-says-right-equipment-helped-kayaker-survive-after-capsize/
Glad he was prepared and had a happy ending. I do hope that he has a backup PLB or can put his trip on hold until the battery in the one he activated is replaced.
@kayamedic said:
and a non fatal capsize and rescue of a not so young buck
http://www.pressherald.com/2017/05/01/coast-guard-says-right-equipment-helped-kayaker-survive-after-capsize/
Nice what he is doing but he’s in over his head, way over.
Ambitious coastal expeditions having issues on both sides of the continent this week. Freya Hoffmeister recently started her planned circumnavigation of North America, leaving from Seattle and heading north – despite her mad skills and vast experience in solo tripping in some of the toughest seas on the planet, she was stalled a few days ago off the coast of British Columbia by the fiberglass hull of her custom kayak developing soft spots. She did find someone local with a shop to reinforce it, but that’s a troubling development, considering her itinerary.
@willowleaf said:
Ambitious coastal expeditions having issues on both sides of the continent this week. Freya Hoffmeister recently started her planned circumnavigation of North America, leaving from Seattle and heading north – despite her mad skills and vast experience in solo tripping in some of the toughest seas on the planet, she was stalled a few days ago off the coast of British Columbia by the fiberglass hull of her custom kayak developing soft spots. She did find someone local with a shop to reinforce it, but that’s a troubling development, considering her itinerary.
Wow. That’s serious. Wonder who built it.
@Gs96c599@aol.com said:
@kayamedic said:
and a non fatal capsize and rescue of a not so young buck
http://www.pressherald.com/2017/05/01/coast-guard-says-right-equipment-helped-kayaker-survive-after-capsize/Nice what he is doing but he’s in over his head, way over.
Not sure why you said that. Why did you? Its odd. Eighty year olds have done this stretch of coast.
@Rookie said:
@willowleaf said:
Ambitious coastal expeditions having issues on both sides of the continent this week. Freya Hoffmeister recently started her planned circumnavigation of North America, leaving from Seattle and heading north – despite her mad skills and vast experience in solo tripping in some of the toughest seas on the planet, she was stalled a few days ago off the coast of British Columbia by the fiberglass hull of her custom kayak developing soft spots. She did find someone local with a shop to reinforce it, but that’s a troubling development, considering her itinerary.Wow. That’s serious. Wonder who built it.
Cycle
Problem who ever gave her the most money. No excuse for building junk like that. Soft spots in a new boat built for that expedition is a disgrace.
@kayamedic said:
@Gs96c599@aol.com said:
@kayamedic said:
and a non fatal capsize and rescue of a not so young buck
http://www.pressherald.com/2017/05/01/coast-guard-says-right-equipment-helped-kayaker-survive-after-capsize/Nice what he is doing but he’s in over his head, way over.
Not sure why you said that. Why did you? Its odd. Eighty year olds have done this stretch of coast.
Never heard of someone 80 going Maine to the Keys. Possible yes alone diminished chance of success. Hoping for 30-40 miles a day average with his physical condition not realistic. Could not give his position another failure. Improperly load kayak. Trained for the trip for a year and didn’t know how the kayak would handle loaded in rough water another failure. In ocean and can’t self rescue failure. Leaving in cold water this time of year questionable. Let me know how many did the trip at 80 alone. Great if they did just never heard of it. He said he was swimming with kayak to keep warm another failure in judgement it stripped heat from his body. He is over his ability and experience level.
Your thoughts are?
@Rookie said:
@willowleaf said:
Ambitious coastal expeditions having issues on both sides of the continent this week. Freya Hoffmeister recently started her planned circumnavigation of North America, leaving from Seattle and heading north – despite her mad skills and vast experience in solo tripping in some of the toughest seas on the planet, she was stalled a few days ago off the coast of British Columbia by the fiberglass hull of her custom kayak developing soft spots. She did find someone local with a shop to reinforce it, but that’s a troubling development, considering her itinerary.Wow. That’s serious. Wonder who built it.
From looking around online possibly Point 65 18’ Freya it may be called.
Probably made in China like her epic kayak that also failed.
Produced in advanced light weight composite technology, the FREYA 18 is available as two options: Fiberglass 25kg/55lbs) and Pro Lite in carbon/kevlar (21kg/46lbs).
The FREYA 18 is available in limited edition only.
Guess it needs more advancing after a failure like that.
Does look like it may have some good ideas in design. My type of kayak straight line traveling.
@Gs96c599@aol.com said:
@kayamedic said:
@Gs96c599@aol.com said:
@kayamedic said:
and a non fatal capsize and rescue of a not so young buck
http://www.pressherald.com/2017/05/01/coast-guard-says-right-equipment-helped-kayaker-survive-after-capsize/Nice what he is doing but he’s in over his head, way over.
Not sure why you said that. Why did you? Its odd. Eighty year olds have done this stretch of coast.
Never heard of someone 80 going Maine to the Keys. Possible yes alone diminished chance of success. Hoping for 30-40 miles a day average with his physical condition not realistic. Could not give his position another failure. Improperly load kayak. Trained for the trip for a year and didn’t know how the kayak would handle loaded in rough water another failure. In ocean and can’t self rescue failure. Leaving in cold water this time of year questionable. Let me know how many did the trip at 80 alone. Great if they did just never heard of it. He said he was swimming with kayak to keep warm another failure in judgement it stripped heat from his body. He is over his ability and experience level.
Your thoughts are?
I dont hold it against him that he could not juggle PLB radio and GPS. Why do you think the kayak was improperly loaded? The failure to roll happens to the best of us.
How many times have you paddled in Maine. The water temp is 44. I live here. In most areas that is the normal for August too. Google Reinhardt Zollitch. I agree with the swimming part.
PS we have had some bad sudden winds this last week and he got into a tidal race off. Baileys Mistake. That is always bad with opposing wind and tide. Now if you are from the area I would like to learn more, Papers never get the all the details. I am sure he learned from this not wanting to repeat it again.
Perhaps you are perfect.
guess you skipped the other points I laid out why he was over his head? Water for the rest of the trip would be warmer no? Why do I think it was improperly loaded? He said he changed the way it was loaded for his next attempt. He could not even right it back up never mind roll it. Don’t you think on an expedition you alone and should not be able to self rescue? So one wave from
Maine to Florida was not expected to knock him over? Link me up with the 80 year old people on open water expeditions by them self. The tidal race was not predictable? The weather forecast was that off base one hour after he left? He could not make a surf landing it seems. Some Maine temps listed here http://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Old-Orchard-Beach/seatemp does not look like 44 is normal to me for August. I have ask here before about pictures I see with decks loaded for expeditions which looked crazy to me. I guess you can do it in a river or certain bodies of water but the ocean you’re playing with fire and likely to get burned like he did. His previous expedition experience was? You are right paper left out the details along with the GC he was ill prepared and not experienced enough for a solo trip like that and used bad judgement in many instances and was ill prepared. My radio (one of them) is on my vest and I can see the Lat & long on it. He had a get cause but the wrong Idea. He may be a better paddler than me by far but I know enough about my limits.
The 66 year old trying to go from Maine to Fl is way over his head if he cant roll. Rescue and handle BIG waves period. You shouldn’t even think about such a paddle on the ocean if rolling one handed isn’t part of your paddling ability. This isn’t a paddle down some small creek. Just having a vhf and plb doesn’t make you qualified. On camping trips I carry both vhf, plb and can roll even if one of my hands was broken yet I would be leary about doing the paddle he wants too. . So YES he is in WAY over his head.