[RedSledTeam]

As kayakers on the "Big" ocean, we are at the mercy of the elements. Having a good "situational awareness" of everything going on and specifically the weather is always a good plan for your well-being. But there are times that even with the 'best laid plans of mice and men can go awry' and you may get caught in a situation that is out of your control. That is when having a plan "B" landing down or upstream is a very good idea. Depending on your skills and ability, paddleing directly into and against a gale force wind is not a good idea: something/someone's going to give and it ain't mother nature. I would paddle at angles to the wind if at all possible and shoot for the alternate landing spot. But if an emergency situation happens, like if you become a small dot in that BIG, BIG ocean and that feeling of "sincere insignificance" takes over and you feel that you are in a bad way and in fear for your life, then (hopefully you packed your cell phone) by all means call the Coast Guard.