Longish Video With More Than One Lesson

Paddlers' Place
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#1

The conditions that the brothers encountered were not unusual for the BC coast and anyone paddling there should be equipped and comfortable to travel in such conditions. Looked like fun to me.

It is a long video and the guy filming owns his mistakes and bad ideas.

#2

Ow, this was so cringeworthy to watch.
Yes, it is rather long, but it pulls you in (so to speak) as you watch it.
Lucky folks, and, as @sing mentioned in the ‘ski incident’ posting:
“Learning by surviving. Not recommended but no better teacher.”
I like that quote.

Why do I ‘always’ wear my sprayskirt?
Why does one always wear their pfd?

3 Likes
#3

Wow. Sorry… As soon as I saw knees showing in an open cockpit and the bow heading into the waves, I couldn’t watch any more.

Mistakes in judgement (and knowledge) usually cascade into an avalanche of other mistakes. Since they were around to post a video, they must have survived and learned. Hopefully… the right lessons.

sing

4 Likes
#4

Horror show. Do not mess with the Pacific Ocean if you are not experienced.
Who goes out on the ocean without a spray skirt and dressing for immersion?
No foot wear? Death wish.

Watch this and learn what not to do.

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#5

The footage of the shrew at 18:00 was nice. The rest…oy.

1 Like
#6

Conditions seemed pretty small and placid for that area. Im sure waves were still 2-3’, but that’s standard fare in that area. They were very lucky. That area is quite unforgiving.

I watched it in 2x speed, but did I hear the guy say he had a skirt and just didnt put it on? Oy. If you’re a self professed “not a kayaker”, a semi open water expedition in cold water with limited skills is probably a bad idea. Good they made it out ok and hopefully can educate some people on what no to do.

@3meterswell what’s the water temp by those islands now?

2 Likes
#7

It’s about 52 degrees in Ucluelet now . August average is about 55 degrees. Drops about 10 degrees in the Winter. Seems like the BGI suffers from ease of access the way the San Juans do. Folks going out assuming it’s safe but are unprepared for water temps, currents, wind against current, etc.

I think I heard him say that he was using his spray skirt for a backrest. Good thing he had that Zip Lock bag to use as a bailer.

#8

Apparently you can make money on YouTube recording yourself doing less than bright stuff - assuming that you survive.

Let’s go swamp a tandem off of Vancouver island in shorts & a tee shirt.

I didn’t see much point in suffering through the whole thing - stepped through a bit.

Favorite line more or less “I thought a spray skirt was for keeping rain out”

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#9

I have been thinking about this all day.
I don’t know where these people come from.
I wish they would just stay home.

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#10

My husband and I, with some friends, were in that area about 10 years ago……as we were launching one morning in our dry suits, pfds, marine radios, tow belts, garmins and extra paddles we over heard some young fella say to his companions “Well, that’s a little overkill”. We now call ourselves Team Overkill. :grin:

Lila

7 Likes
#11

It has hung me up. too.

The same risk factors probably exist in the San Juans, the Gulf Islands, Johnston Strait or any other number of easily accessible venues where photos and videos are taken during calm periods where paddlers feel comfy taking their potentially white knuckles from their paddles to take some pics. . I think that we owe a “thanks” to the videographer who came as clean as he knew how to.

3 Likes
#12

I do think the video has value and am glad they posted it. Does show the failures they noted, like lack of using a spray skirt. But obviously also were issues with flotation/sealing of bulkhead, their not waterproof “dry bags” in the front hatch, lack of wearing thermal protection, etc.

I am considering using this video as a follow up for people in my Introduction to Sea Kayak classes, as examples of:

  1. you don’t know what you don’t know.
  2. people who die kayaking usually make multiple mistakes, and fixing any one would prevent the issue. This might be thought providing to think about how many things they could have done differently which would have prevented the various issues they had.
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#13

I have to laugh. Some of us looked just like that (you couldn’t see the Spot stashed in an inside PFD pocket) Saturday on a calm day on Lake Michigan.

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#14

The brothers should have read Sea Kayaker’s Deep Trouble

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#15

Rookie-it might have helped but probably not. It certainly woke me up but I was ready to hear the message. Not sure they were to that point.

#16

Watching the video made be feel much better about being old and cautious.

3 Likes
#17

From the Youtuber on FB in a reply to a comment on his post with the video:

" because I’m a filmmaker not a kayaker. If this situation can gain me exposure as a filmmaker at the expense of my reputation as a kayaker I’d take that opportunity 10 times in a row. I don’t care what other kayakers think about me, I only care about telling compelling stories."

#18

“1. you don’t know what you don’t know.”

This is the crux of it for some who have gotten into trouble, or perished. This late summer/early fall, there have already been several incidents and rescues locally of folks that belong in this category of casual or newbie paddlers. And, almost without fail, every spring and fall (the “killing seasons”) with warm air and colder water temps, we have folks getting themselves into trouble. Some get rescued and survived. Some don’t.

I have come to conclusion that it some of it relates back to an individual’s perspective and psychological inclination. Some folks really believe they know what they actually don’t know. You say something and they respond with the ole “I have ‘commn sense’. I know what I am doing.” I see this in at the launch. I see this in some folks coming into my MMA gym. Sure, ok… Reality of It is a bit of personal arrogance, with the need to baselessly claim innate knowledge and abilities. For some, this personality trait can’t be fixed.

Personally, as someone who enjoy and am often into sports/activities that offer more solo pursuit, I occaisonally get quizzed about my seemingly lack of concern for personal safety or “common sense.” How am I different from those who we read or see in the news? Well, every since I was kid who can read, I find that I have a tendency to gather and consume as much info as I can into subjects or activities that I have interest in. And, then I will seek out training or guidance if available from some more advanced pracitioners before totally striking out on my own. But, solo pursuit and its attendant risks are are my inclination for majority of my physical activities. The difference is that I am aware of what I don’t know. I am in tune with my physical capabilities and try to stay within those bounds. I know my gear (based on reading, training and testing). I regularly test my abilities in more pressured venues but where safety bail-outs are possible.

So, the above video, will help those who are inclined and open to learning and training. But, without a doubt, the “killing season” we are heading into will claim its bounty. And, we’ll get more abject lessons from these incidents.

sing

1 Like
#19

At abut the 14 minute mark, when they went back to conquer their demons,…Is that a plastic bag he is using for a skirt???

#20

Anyone can get in a kayak, make motions with a paddle and make it move. So there’s a low barrier to entry. (Unlike many other activities that confer risk, like, say, scuba diving.) I think a lot of people here might see this video and think this guy is arrogant or reckless. But I think, like a lot of people, he was just completely unaware of risks or the skills or equipment he might need. He was able to propel a kayak, so he went off in one to try to make some videos.