Paddling as a group is fine in theory but once you start catching runners you spread out very quickly. This is true even in shorter paddles with lighter winds.
The buddy system is probably more workable but still has the same issues. Best thing is for all paddlers to have similar levels of fitness and skill so the gap between first and last stays as small as practical.
Basically whenever you venture out in severe winds like this there will be risk no matter what sort of precautions you take. LSD is right try getting someone onto a boat in 50 knot winds and big seas. It is very very tough.
Still, a successful crossing is a successful crossing. Kudos to the guys who made it across and my sympathies to DJ for his travails. DJ please give us a detailed explanation of your (modified?) leash system and how it failed.
I surfed Crunchies at Leo, blissfully unaware of the dramas unfolding. Even so, the offshore was so strong you had to work to not get blown out past the break. I'm wrapped everyone is OK, hats off to the rescuers.
It sounds like the real problem was DJ making a dodgy modification to his legrope attachment. He has no doubt learnt something from this and perhaps we all should.
It's great that everybody is safe but perhaps the real lesson is that no matter how experienced you are the ocean is a very lonely place without a board. I'll be double checking my leggie plug, string, swivels, velcro and legrope cord before I enter the ocean every time from now on.
Oh, and remind me to also take another person on a floaty thing with a motor if I ever do something like this........
Hey Woody,
Its more about what condtions provide acceptable levels of risk and as Gorgo suggested what are plans B,C and D if and when things do go wrong.
I have been left high and dry twice by support vessels doing drifting decos I'll keep my epirb
There are plenty of people on the forum with extensive DW experience, shouldnt take much to put together a suggested framework.
Now is a great time for self regulation.
Phill.
I'd go the buddy system also. Where two pioneers are matched together on their skill/boards length and agree to paddle together.
For these longer/more dangerous downwinders I'd also suggest that all people taking part in the paddle attempt to regroup either every half hour or every 5 km.
Obviously everybody needs to have suitable equipment including: pfd's, suitable clothing and water supplies.
Those who are promoting a buddy system may not have been out in a true DW situation. There is no stopping and going back. You don't slow down and runners are that unpredictable that you will end up separated from your partners 9 times out of 10.
If it was not for the leash breaking DJ would have probably made it to the other side. Its great that this has brought to attention the use of PFD's and other devices but I don't see the point in the verbal bashing DJ is getting for taking on conditions that sound downright epic.
I believe DJ is the smart one here, not posting anything for public record until he knows where its all going.
Also shock and PTSD to consider, lets face it not a great afternoon at the office.
I dont believe Dean is playing the man, he is simply stating facts as he sees them from a different perspective and experience base.
Phill
Dean,
No I dont have a bill.($18000).. the D1CKHEAD who caused the incedents insurance company has the bill. thats yacht racing for you...i dont think thats an adventure lol.
Yes my boat can make headway into 50knt squall. it was not consitent 50 anyway that day.
Also a support boat doesnt necessarily have to be too close ..just close enough to pick up the peices/ppl if something goes wrong.. and Yes we have have picked ppl out of the water in 40knts. wasnt easy but was successful.
My point was to have adventure there must be some sort of risk..otherwise it would be too easy.
whenever you kite, sup, or surf in big waves there is risk...and overcomming the risk/fear is what sets us apart from those ppl mowing their lawns and gardening or antique shopping every weekend.
Paul.
Note.....
I said " sets us apart "
not " sets us above "
nothing wrong with gardeners or antiquers. lol.
well, i'm glad everyone is okay. i had a bad feeling about this one. comments about grouping and safety is a a good subject in it's self, but at the end of the day, paddlers really need to consider what they are facing- raw open seas. again glad the boy's are okay
Nobody is bashing DJ. Most of us are chatting fairly constructively about how to avoid problems in future. It's got nothing to do with bashing DJ.
A few stern cautions were applied but no more than a mother giving a kiddie a bollocking after he has wandered too close to a busy road.
I have done a few downwinders and spent heaps of time in unfeasibly windy seas. A buddy system can work provided the faster rider always slows down to match the slower rider. That's the essence of all group travel. The group only goes as fast as the slowest member.
Regrouping is only marginally useful. By the time you realise you've lost somebody it's too late.
If you want to be technical about this there are risk analysis techniques that can be used. You sit down and think about the risks in terms of:
Risk
Chance of happening
Consequences
Mitigation
eg:
Risk - Breaking leggie
Chance - Moderate
Consequences - Severe
Mitigation - Don't **** with your leggie. Use an extra strong one. Maybe use two.
Ok enough cackle show me the pictures
BTW I say fair play to trying something new and not being a p*ssy unlike the PC world we are beginning to live in.
Sounds like it would have been all time! Wish I was there to paddle with you guys! Like the majority lets wait for DJ's post mortem on the event before jumping the gun
Pretty epic conditions venturing out in those conditions. After reading all the hits on this topic, the support boat is the best advice given and the leggie issue another.
Now the big question is where the blo-dy hell are ya DJ
At the end of the day the main thing is, that all are save
Pioneers always get shot