Safety Gear Is Like AMEX..Don't Leave Home without ALL OF IT! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Gigafish · 10-02-2010, 12:21 PM

Take it slow. Kayaking can be brutal. I am suprised I haven't heard of a report of a kayaker being struck by a boat as so many things can go wrong in open water. Stay safe.

cowboybill · 10-03-2010, 06:58 AM

Glad your wife actually wants to get back on that horse! Just that attitude is awesome!

I took a dunk once, and what surprised me was how hard it was to right the yak with 3 poles, bait tank, etc... When I practiced, my yak was empty, and it flipped easy...but all the rods and crap added water drag to righting the boat!

My biggest fear is boats....I once shared about a lobster boat coming at me in the fog....

Best wishes in the future!

Cowboybill

Jimm H · 10-11-2010, 11:35 AM

Good of you to post
GBF- "Immediately, I was in the water trying to get to her as fast as I could. I'm a strong swimmer and after I hit the water I saw her."

Stay in your kayak. Rescue should not involve entering the water unless necessary. There's a lot of "strong swimmers" out there that think they are better than the conditions. And, being a strong swimmer does not mean you are adept at rescue.

In order:
Reach (like with your arm or an object)
Row (In a boat go assist a person farther off)
Throw (a flotation devise)
Go (swim).

Always wear your PFD.

Remain Calm (No offense intended, but it sounds like your wife wasn't the only one who panicked)

Drop a $100 on a JIS7 submersible marine radio with a clip and wrist strap, and retain it to your pfd with both. (I've seen a guy loose his clipped-on radio when he flopped in the drink.)

Thanks again for telling it straight up.

Kayak Rookie · 01-09-2011, 04:33 PM

Kind of late to the party on this one but, when I first thought about kayaking I found that SW had classes out on the strand on the bay side. They cover a lot of safety concerns and you get to dump you kayak and get back in. Heck we even practiced switching places in a double.

They covered attempting to get into your yak. If you dump, the simple thing to do is place your kayak on your side facing in to the wind if it squirts away from you the wind will push it back... versus you trying to catch up to it.

Loose a paddle you just turned your yak in to a surf board, on your belly and start paddling with your arms....and more. Safety was always stressed. You would be surprised how may people have no idea how to get back in to their kayak.....Classes are cheap you get to paddle all around the bay, build up some indurance, and figure out if you like it or not. After class I would sit over on the ocean side and watch the kids trying to learn how to surf.... one new thing at a time.

Hope this helps.

wiredantz · 12-28-2010, 09:20 PM

Thanks for your post.

We have to respect the ocean.

Always wear your PFD.

I used nylon rope to tie down everything to my kayak. Recently i have been buying the actual fishing coil and Paddle leashes. I can also attest on how hard it is to get back on your kayak being a big guy myself. If I am close to shore I swim back to shore towing my kayak behind me. I can just imagine how tired I would be getting back on my yak in this cold water.

10-03-2010, 06:58 AM	#2
cowboybill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, CA Posts: 103	Glad your OK Glad your wife actually wants to get back on that horse! Just that attitude is awesome! I took a dunk once, and what surprised me was how hard it was to right the yak with 3 poles, bait tank, etc... When I practiced, my yak was empty, and it flipped easy...but all the rods and crap added water drag to righting the boat! My biggest fear is boats....I once shared about a lobster boat coming at me in the fog.... Best wishes in the future! Cowboybill

10-11-2010, 11:35 AM	#3
Jimm H Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rancho Bernardo-San Diego Posts: 117	Glad it worked out Good of you to post GBF- "Immediately, I was in the water trying to get to her as fast as I could. I'm a strong swimmer and after I hit the water I saw her." Stay in your kayak. Rescue should not involve entering the water unless necessary. There's a lot of "strong swimmers" out there that think they are better than the conditions. And, being a strong swimmer does not mean you are adept at rescue. In order: Reach (like with your arm or an object) Row (In a boat go assist a person farther off) Throw (a flotation devise) Go (swim). Always wear your PFD. Remain Calm (No offense intended, but it sounds like your wife wasn't the only one who panicked) Drop a $100 on a JIS7 submersible marine radio with a clip and wrist strap, and retain it to your pfd with both. (I've seen a guy loose his clipped-on radio when he flopped in the drink.) Thanks again for telling it straight up. __________________ "Back in the day, we.... "

01-09-2011, 04:33 PM	#4
Kayak Rookie Junior Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 18	Kayak Classes at South Western College Kind of late to the party on this one but, when I first thought about kayaking I found that SW had classes out on the strand on the bay side. They cover a lot of safety concerns and you get to dump you kayak and get back in. Heck we even practiced switching places in a double. They covered attempting to get into your yak. If you dump, the simple thing to do is place your kayak on your side facing in to the wind if it squirts away from you the wind will push it back... versus you trying to catch up to it. Loose a paddle you just turned your yak in to a surf board, on your belly and start paddling with your arms....and more. Safety was always stressed. You would be surprised how may people have no idea how to get back in to their kayak.....Classes are cheap you get to paddle all around the bay, build up some indurance, and figure out if you like it or not. After class I would sit over on the ocean side and watch the kids trying to learn how to surf.... one new thing at a time. Hope this helps.

10-02-2010, 12:21 PM	#1
Gigafish Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 311	Take it slow. Kayaking can be brutal. I am suprised I haven't heard of a report of a kayaker being struck by a boat as so many things can go wrong in open water. Stay safe.

12-28-2010, 09:20 PM	#5
wiredantz Currently @ MLO Territory Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Under the Shadow Posts: 2,290	Thanks for your post. We have to respect the ocean. Always wear your PFD. I used nylon rope to tie down everything to my kayak. Recently i have been buying the actual fishing coil and Paddle leashes. I can also attest on how hard it is to get back on your kayak being a big guy myself. If I am close to shore I swim back to shore towing my kayak behind me. I can just imagine how tired I would be getting back on my yak in this cold water.