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dangler
Since 26 Feb 2006
1746 Posts
WINDY SPOTS
XTreme Poster
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Wed Mar 07, 07 1:34 pm how far can u swim in 41 deg |
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halfway across at rooster. 30 min. couldnt have gone much farther. big thanx to greg tecco for pulling my kite in. My advice, if u go out this time of year, dress for the swim, not the air temp. |
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pkh
Since 27 Feb 2005
6549 Posts
Couve / Hood
Site Lackey
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Wed Mar 07, 07 1:40 pm |
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damn... what were you wearing? |
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colby
Since 23 Apr 2005
613 Posts
Celebrity
Photographer
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Wed Mar 07, 07 1:45 pm |
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glad you made it out OK yesterday mark...sounded like a close call |
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pacifichigh
Since 11 May 2005
1004 Posts
ATX
Texan
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Wed Mar 07, 07 1:46 pm |
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sketch |
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magicmaker
Since 29 Oct 2006
895 Posts
da Hood
Opinionated
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Wed Mar 07, 07 1:48 pm |
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I wouldn't be caught dead in anything less than a 6mm full hood, and 5mm booties when the mf'ing water temp is only 40 degrees. Of course, i wouldn't wear anything other than my 6mm w/ full hood and 5mm booties in the 50 degree ocean water either. Much smarter to be a little too warm, than too f'ing cold. |
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Gman
Since 11 Feb 2006
4907 Posts
Portland
Unstrapped
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Wed Mar 07, 07 2:01 pm |
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Brrrrrrrrrurly. Serious shit how quick that cold water can zap your energy. Monday was my first session without the drysuit - and the 4/3 wasn't cutting it. Just walking upwind in knee deep water for 5 minutes started to sting - and I was wearing 7mm booties.
Were all glad you're still Dangling (shrinkage understandable ) |
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lance_k
Since 04 May 2005
561 Posts
Hood River
Photographer
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Wind Slither
Since 04 Mar 2005
2579 Posts
The 503
METAL
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Wed Mar 07, 07 2:33 pm |
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Way to power it back in D!
Good reminder to all. My toes were numb as soon as I got out of the car last Sunday! I pretty much stayed in the lagoon knowing that if I bit-it out in the channel it could get ugly fast. |
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Reaper356
Since 10 Dec 2006
781 Posts
Salem / LC Oregon
Opinionated
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Wed Mar 07, 07 3:04 pm |
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Glad you made it back.
I too am curious what you wear wearing. Maybe a lifejacket could have helped? |
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dangler
Since 26 Feb 2006
1746 Posts
WINDY SPOTS
XTreme Poster
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Wed Mar 07, 07 4:16 pm |
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i was wearing a 5 4 3 booties {left the gloves in the van} had a hood but had pulled it back.{warm day} and forgot to put it back up. never really felt in trouble but when I got in had trouble walking and shivered for an hour. My biggest mistake was I SHOULD HAVE HAD GREG PULL ME IN -Not my kite! The kite was a liability because the leading edge blew. Greg had a tough time getting just the kite in, and the wind was dying. I was pretty bummed when I saw his kite go down, cause I,ve done that swim before. Got in before the end of the park, but only by a little and past that it gets really tough. Thanx again Tecco, what beer do you drink!
As a final thought Save your Skin First. Gear aint cheap, but life is all too short.
Anyone else have any cold water stories??? |
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Nak
Since 19 May 2005
4210 Posts
Camas
XTreme Poster
CGKA Member
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Wed Mar 07, 07 4:31 pm |
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Glad you made it back OK!!!
Nak |
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forrest
Since 21 Jun 2005
4329 Posts
Hood River
Hick
CGKA Member
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Wed Mar 07, 07 5:32 pm |
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I self rescued for about 15-20 minutes in Lake Washington in late November after breaking two lines. Was wearing a 5/3 with no hood, gloves, or booties and I think the water temp was about 45. Couldn't walk well because my feet were numb. Wasn't to bad and I wasn't in pain. I didn't really know any better. |
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wyolitup
Since 02 Oct 2006
9 Posts
Kook
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Wed Mar 07, 07 9:12 pm brrrrrrrr |
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Wind switched and droped to 3-5 mph water temp was week after Ice out' self rescue to opposite shore hour and ten, Saving grace GORE-TEX DRY SUIT was hot from swimming when I got out. The best piece of equip. I have ever purchaced!!! You guys could ride all winter in the gorge in one of these suits!! |
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blowhard
Since 26 Dec 2005
2026 Posts
Windward
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Thu Mar 08, 07 7:25 am the ocean |
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The Ocean is a lot warmer, in the winter than other waters ,
dry suits are fine if you are close in but if a hole or zipper failure occurs
there would be no back up
the time it takes for your extremities to quit working is very short
and it's hard to swim with arms that just hang there |
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Gman
Since 11 Feb 2006
4907 Posts
Portland
Unstrapped
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Thu Mar 08, 07 8:18 am Re: the ocean |
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blowhard wrote: | The Ocean is a lot warmer, in the winter than other waters ,
dry suits are fine if you are close in but if a hole or zipper failure occurs
there would be no back up
the time it takes for your extremities to quit working is very short
and it's hard to swim with arms that just hang there |
Blowhard is right on - when I wear my drysuit in the ocean - I pretty much stay on the inside or under head-high surf - a 5/4 is a better idea - blow a neck gasket in a big wave and you're in a world of hurt - think sea anchor. |
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tekko
Since 20 Feb 2006
376 Posts
White Salmon
Liquid Force
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Thu Mar 08, 07 8:46 am |
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Yeah. Too bad the wind shut off. I think we would have been good to go otherwise.. as I had the kite close enough to shore and would have been able to make it back for you.
I would have thought though, that one of the other guys out would have seen the situation and offered you a little assistance. Nothing against those guys, as it is definitely not safe for people who are not comfortable to attempt rescue stuff... but I dind't think I was leaving you alone in the river when I dragged your kite in first.
I was actually very surprised, after the wind died and I had to ditch your kite to swim in with mine.. to see you swimming in right there too. I would have thought you would have made it at least by the last jetty, where you can still stand and walk in.
At least we all got in and didn't even lose any gear.
Good reason to remember murphy's law of kiteboarding:
If and when something goes wrong, it will happen when you are the farthest out and already tired. Good reason to keep closer to shore when it is cold this time of year... because as we saw.. this was the case.
Since I have moved here to the NW I have been amazed at the lack of kiter assistance and rescue towards each other. Mostly during times when I have pulled up to aid someone and they claim they'de rather swim in, with all their gear, from the middle of the channel.. than have me drag their kite or board in. Then there are other times.. when I have broken a leash, lost a kite and just wished that one of the 10 or more riders would at least have the ability to see there was a problem (loose kite tumbling downwind without rider) and maybe come to check up on me.
As I mentioned before, I realize that for the majority of riders, they don't have the skills or confidence to assist in a kite rescue. I respect that and wouldn't expect people to put themselves in danger, as the first rule in any rescue is to preserve the safety of the recuers.
But.. with that said... anyone who rides the river in the winter and can stay up wind has at least enough skills to notice an emergency and at least ride down to speak with the downed rider. Sometimes, there is nothing you can do, but the fact that you are nearby and at least aware of the guy swimming, gives that guy the added encouragement that somebody notices and is keeping an eye on them. That also allows everyone else, on the beach, etc to see where you are, because the kiter that is just there for support can be seen (kite in sky) , pinpointing the downed guy in black wetsuit in black water from a distance he wouldn't have otherwise been seen.
It sucks (I know this from experience) to be the guy swimming, gasping for breath and taking waves over the head.. just to look up and see other riders less than 100m away who seem oblivious to the problem. Just having those few words of encouragement can add to the adrenaline and confidence needed to get a second wind and keep swimming.
We all still need help at some time.. let's start by building the karma and helping others when they are in need, so maybe someone will be there for us when we need it.
Maybe it's where people come from and what sports they have done before. As a whitewater kayaker... you just know that you are responsible for those you paddle with and often choose who you paddle with because of who will be there if you need the help. I have been in situations that would have ended with less people returning alive if it hadn't been for the others in the group.
Maybe it's how you get into the sport... when I started riding we were all on 2 line Wipi's with no leash or depower. Kites were let go of on a daily basis.. and yet riding in groups of at least 3 it was common to have someone chase and grab the kite and some one esle tow the rider down to it.. most often getting them to the bar and they would relaunch and carry on. We did this daily!
Seems that as the gear has gotten 'safer' and the sport has gotten bigger it allows people to be more complacent with TRUE safety, which is not a system or quick release, but rather the ability to keep your eyes on your bro's... even if you don't know them. If you are down and hypothermic, it doen't matter who is there when you look up.. from that moment on- they're your bro, because they're there, and they care.
Sorry for the rant. I realize this is an individual sport and we all accept the risks and consequences of our actions.. but that doesn't mean we can't keep an eye on each other.
Someone is going to die in this river kiting in early or late season temps... at that moment, it will effect all of us, the community and the sport. I at least am not going to be the guy that was there that day and will look back and ask, if I had just kept an eye on that guy... we wouldn't have lost him...
Mark was Hypothermic when he made it to shore. His limbs were already numbing and it was already effecting his speech. He was ok because at that point we was on shore and able to start warming. Yet, if he had been a bit farther out, or the current had been much stronger... He probably didn't have another 20min of swim energy in him, nor would his arms and legs have kept working that long.
Mark- not much of a beer guy, so don't worry about it. I did enjoy the warmth and safety of the van post session though... |
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pacifichigh
Since 11 May 2005
1004 Posts
ATX
Texan
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Thu Mar 08, 07 9:03 am |
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Tekko is speaking the truth.
It's paramount for us all to look out for each other, especially when the water is dangerously cold.
Karma is a biattch and we all need a helping hand sometimes.
Do the right thing, check on someone if they are down and might be in trouble.
Don't go kiting solo early season |
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