September 19, 2003

Storm Paddling

As I honed my rough water skills over the years, I found the number of people from which to seek advice dropped off to almost none. This is in part because the majority of sea kayakers are fair weather paddlers. This is fine for the majority of those who are comfortable with paddling only in benign conditions. However, there is also a group of rough water experienced paddlers who are reluctant to give advice in how to practice. For the few who want to be prepared for most anything mother nature can throw at us, we have to go out in less than ideal conditions, and often without mentors to help us along.

People who have attained these skills often discourage anyone else from following. After all, who wants to be the guy who encouraged the paddler that went off storm paddling and never returned? Getting advice from very experienced paddlers on more dangerous paddles can be like getting blood from a turnip. No one wants to encourage someone to take risk. Finding an experienced paddler to go out with you can be even more of a challenge than getting advice.

So this next bit is written for those that are going to do it anyway. Even if I say 'you shouldn't do it' or 'it is too dangerous', you are hell bent on going anyway because you know it is the only way to expand your skills above your current level. Secretly, I wish I could go with you.

You can, in a lot of cases, expand those skills rather safely. What you need, within tolerable driving distances, are soft shores facing each of the four compass points. Planning your trip on the day of your paddle to launch so that if you get in trouble, wind and/or current will carry you ashore.

It should be noted that fall and winter normally produce the roughest weather. Because of this, dressing for immersion is a MUST. You must be dressed as though you will be bobbing around in the water for quite a while, until you are blown ashore. If you can't dress for immersion, you have no business being there - period.

Finding rough water is more patience than art. You need to be able to pass over paddling days with calm weather, using them to get weekly chores accomplished, so that with barely 24 hours notice you can go out and play in rougher water. My entire second paddling season was spent building my skills, and I was fortunate to get a lot of days with small craft advisories to go play in.

Save picking your launch location until just before you get on the road. Wind direction is important, and you want to pick a place so that if you get in trouble, the wind will blow you ashore. Be mindful of currents when picking your location. A strong current can carry you in the wrong direction should you find yourself in it. At the same time, let someone know where you are going. In Japan, all of my more risky paddling was solo, so as I was pulling out of the driveway early in the morning, I dropped a pre-arranged note into my neighbor's mailbox with my launch location and expected return time.

Carry a portable VHF radio. This serves two purposes: It provides a means of calling for help if you need it and it gives you access to the latest weather information.

Paddle in near shore. Shallow water is more difficult to paddle in when the water is rough as the waves will rise and more easily break. After wet exiting you may be able to stand up and walk ashore if the water is shallow enough. At the same time, don't practice paddling in and around rocky shores. The last thing you want to risk is knocking yourself unconscious.

Don't lull yourself into just paddling into the wind/waves during the rough stuff. This is the most stable position for a kayak, but at some point you will need to turn around. If paddling into the wind/waves was pressing your limits, turning around will probably be too much for you. Learn to low/high brace with waves coming at you broadside so you can at least learn to side slip (bongo slide) with the wind/waves.

Be aware that paddling past bulkheads, steep shores, or rock piles will be more confused and difficult to paddle in as waves are reflected off of them back into the incoming waves.

Wear any safety gear you will need (such as your VHF/flares) if you come out of your kayak. Your boat can speed away MUCH faster than you can swim after it if you lose contact with it. Believe in the old adage 'if you don't have it on you, you don't have it'. If you need to wet exit, make sure you have a firm grip on both your paddle and kayak. If you must give up one, hang on to the kayak as the paddle will travel more slowly in the water. Carry a spare paddle on your rear deck and losing your paddle becomes only a minor issue.

High winds will cause you to consider things that flat water paddling never did. I once capsized in a very high wind and had to wet exit after my roll failed. When I bobbed back to the surface, holding on to my kayak, I caught sight of my paddle cartwheeling across the surface before it finally landed flat in the water a good 30 feet away.

The fetch - distance that winds blow across water - plays a major factor in determining how rough the water will be. Start out practicing high wind paddling in areas with less fetch and work your way up. The difference in a 1 mile fetch on a windy day and a 7 mile fetch can be huge.

Learn how to roll. Bailing out increases your exposure and reduces your options of getting to shore safely. Knowing you can roll allows you to push bracing and edging to their limits, allowing you to hone these skills in calmer conditions.

If paddling far from shore, tether yourself to the kayak. You'll hear a lot of arguments pro and con about this, but if you are in conditions far from shore that could cause you to lose your kayak, this is really a no-brainer. Carry a knife or seatbelt cutter in case you get entrapped in the line. I tether myself by attaching my waist tow-belt to a deck line. If I need to come out of the kayak, as much line as needed is easily pulled out to get me clear.

Pass on practicing in thunderstorms. Carry an indestructible spare paddle. Study the effects land has on the wind and waves. Try and paddle with someone else of higher skill level, or at least try and find someone to keep an eye on you from shore. Expand your skills gradually; don't try to become a five star paddler in one day. Skilled paddlers have experience, and experience is built over time.

What did I miss?

Woody