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Qualification to Enter Events

(58 posts) (30 voices)

Started 7 years ago by Chief
Latest reply from Squirrel

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SandyBottom
Member

I started In Watertribe because it was an extreme challenge in my sport. One where I was responsible for my own knowledge, skill, and safety. And as such I trained and continue to train for all aspect. I knew it was dangerous, I knew I could die, and all that made it even more interesting and exciting for me. This was never intended to be a monitored or supported event, guaranteeing you a safe vacation.

There were some rules. Not because RM was responsible for my safety or yours, but because people cheat. Getting help during a challenge, not really having the right gear, not being prepared, not being an expert in your sport. I've seen cheaters in these challenges and the Derby since it all started. And I still see cheaters. Rules put us all on the same playing field. Too many rules, redefine what we are.

We didn't start with have Spots, we had 24 hr check in. This was more about YOU taking responsibility to let your family know,where you were and that you were safe (so they wouldn't be calling RM all the time) and so RM kind of knew where folks were on the course and when to close down the check points. We didn't have previous challengers tracts to copy to make it easy. In fact, before SPOT, challengers never shared campsites and routes, and they also never asked. Kind of hard to be stealthy when 10 others show up at your previously used and camp published on old Spot tracks. I've always wanted Chief to remove tracks from a previous challenge. If your not going to do your own work, you don't belong here

RM has always said YOU are responsible for your own safety, they are not. They even say, We will not help you if you need help. This is the Watertribe way. This WAS an unsupported, you are on your own, challenging, extreme, expedition. Why are you doing this, if your not up for this challenge.

Where the hell have all these WHINERS who call themselves a member of this Tribe come from? When did some of you redefine or never really understand what Watertribe is and what it means, some of you have even done a few races over the past few years and you still don't seem to get it. There are some who can't take the time to figure out their own navigation that they actually ask on the forum for tracks and routes and camping spots. Are you kidding me? Folks expecting RM to teach you how to use safety gear when you are the supposed expert. Are you kidding me? Folks (I refuse to identify them as Tribers) who admit on forum to not having paddling or sailing experience at night before an event, not practicing skills in high winds, in rough conditions. You are kidding yourself about your expert status.

Certifications should not be required. But you have no business calling yourself an expert if your a kayaker/canoer without an ACA L4 or BCU 4* skill set in high winds, surf, and rough water, you don't need a certification to be skilled. Sailers should have the equivalent skill set in their craft, with lots of rescue and self rescue practice. There is nothing advanced or expert about practice without your fully loaded craft and in conditions, it is not impossible to arrange practice like this in a safe way.

Should RM have gotten a permit? Well unfortunately the size of our challenge will now likely require this, and I guess should have, because some rules are often to satisfy other authorities who want to take over. But I don't want rules to satisfy a Tribers sense of safety. This is NOT safe. If your not accepting this as life threatening, and dangerous and extreme, you never belonged here. If you thought your SPOT or EPIRB made it safer for you, then you are ignorant, sure it'll call for help, doesn't mean it'll get there or in time.

The bigger problem in my opinion is too many people signing up for excitement, yet always thinking someone was watching their back. Being unprepared, not having the appropriate knowledge and practiced experience. What do I think we really need to do? less rules, less formality, don't let the whiners in. Don't redefine WaterTribe.

And another thing while I'm on it. No one forced you to write that check. No where does it say that check guarantees you anything but an unsafe and dangerous challenge with a good dinner and party at the end. If it's too expensive for you, for that, don't do it. No where are you guaranteed anything but a dinner.

Dawn

Posted 7 years ago #
Chief
Coastal Vagabond

I couldn't have said it better. I will carefully consider.

Posted 7 years ago #
PrivateHam
Member

Chief, a thought I had while idly discussing things at CP1 was that, perhaps, the Tampa Bay crossing could be considered a form of qualification and that support boats could be present to make sure that anybody that needed help, received it with the caveat being they are now out of the race. The certifications and whatever else comes of all of this will certainly be helpful in raising the barrier to entry and filter out the unprepared but, like driver licenses, they do not guarantee performance.

Most years these support boats will do nothing but take photos and cheer their support for the tribe. I would imagine there are plenty of folks who would happily volunteer. In years like this one, they might not have been able to handle everything but may have reduced the load enough that the CG wouldn't have been concerned. Once someone is across the bay, then the qualifier is over and the remainder of the race is the way it has always been. Just a thought.

Posted 7 years ago #
NorthernLight
Member

While considering I would ask this - please don't look at this year as a fluke. Recognize that an incident was bound to happen as WaterTribe has grown beyond the organizational structure designed to maintain it. Growth is not necessarily a bad thing, but as Dawn points out it can be hard to convey what "self supported expedition with no guarantees" really means. Saying "it was a fluke" removes responsibility for assessing the underlying problems. Spewing out rules about certifications and beach access isn't going to completly address the growing pains. You can have all the gear and be able to demonstrate a capsize but still be unable to complete the course in an unassisted manner. I heard it all at CP2 last year. My mantra became "you are the expert, you were supposed to have a plan for this"

I do not envy you in the task of coming up with a metric for measuring expert skills and state of mind. But let us try to help you. Share the facts of the incident. Give us something real to discuss rather than just flinging some rules into a forum post to ruffle up some feathers.

Posted 7 years ago #
Badger
Member

SandyBottom: I take your opinions seriously (and find myself hoping I've not offended you). In 2012 SOS and you accomplished an amazing feat: building a new Tri whuch you used for the majority of your winning 1300mi Ultimate Florida. But as I recall, that boat wasn't even finished when the race started, let alone tested and proven in strong conditions or capsize recovery.

I point this out in order to show that, just as every boat is a compromise (for example, Mosquito needed to be swapped for another boat for the Inland portion of the race), every entrant has assumed calculated risks and made decisions which allow them to be on the beach that first weekend in March. The goal, then, is to ensure Tribers have a good basis from which to make these decisions, and the experience to see them safely along the course.

Your record, and that of your family, is incredible. But because of time and circumstance, we cannot all boast of such experience. Unless and until Chief refuses my entry fee, however, I will consider myself an "expert" in my craft, although perhaps not as much "expert" as you in yours. Where would you draw the line and refuse my entry? Is it like porn, where you know it when you see it? Or would you create criteria?

I'd argue for an experience statement submitted along with an entry application, and a "buddy" system used to educate new members, or to folks who ran into trouble in a prior event and didn't appear ready to deal with the situation. That way they can make judicious choices which result in a successful experience. Which, although we didn't finish, my 2012 EC was. My wife and I set reasonable goals, and achieved the important ones.

Posted 7 years ago #
PrivateHam
Member

I like the buddy system idea for new tribers and ones that have not yet finished a challenge. It would be helpful in allowing new tribers to learn what is expected in a way that the forum cannot (I say this from my experience as a new triber). Then, to tie this with my previous post above, maybe the buddy system extends until at least across the bay instead of having rescue boats (again, see above). This would allow for the veteran to coach and encourage along the way as well as to help them recover from swamping, etc. if needed. Once across the bay, they would be free to part ways.

Posted 7 years ago #
Bermudaboy
Member

I say in terms of mastering my body & craft, and even moreso even remote mastery of the wind, weather and seas, I'll never want say or think I am "EXPERT". There will always be a higher level obtainable, and always some situation or condition in which I may lose, lose big.

Do I think I need to step up my training, skills and preparation, yep! Do I think I can safely kick ass (mine and more than a few of my fellow tribers) out on any course, in any conditions, Hell yeh! Do I think I ora anyone else, should be judging/predicting the outcome of some other or new triber over the age of 18, who knows how to read/follow the rules and warnings, and pass inspection before the event starts, HELL NO!

Lets not change ANYTHING or go all granny, except for providing required notice to the Coast Guard of the Event... ( and/ or sweet talk Chief into giving more discount on entrance fees, so we can convince our spouses to let us join more events!!!)

BB

Posted 7 years ago #
BeastOarman
Member

I would not consider the bay crossing the be all - end all of testing skill. It is a bit exposed, but (from my armchair this year) not all that bad. Implying that if you can cross it, you are an expert would be the wrong message in my opinion.

Clearly if you cannot cross it, you should not be allowed to continue. But that goes for anywhere along the course.

Posted 7 years ago #
MisterMoon
Member

In 2012 I encountered a capsized tandem kayak in the middle of Tampa Bay. I hove to in the >15 kt winds and stood by as they recovered the boat and started paddling again. At that point they turned back to Ft. Desoto and retired. Had they been unable to recover themselves, I would have faced the choice of calling the professionals to come and get them or to try to bring the two crew aboard my boat at some risk to myself. I'm still not exactly sure what I would have done if they had not been able to recover, but I figured whatever happened, it was better for me to be nearby than not.

I'm loathe to call myself an expert, because I can name large number of people with greater skills and experience than me. I've had trouble on the course before and was able to use such skills as I had to extricate myself from those tight spots. Other times I've been blessed to have been helped by fellow WT'ers to get me out of some tight spots. We're technically on our own, but we are not ever alone. WT is a community united by our shared experiences, our love of what we do, and forged by the times we help each other. This is a solitary sport, but it is also a sport done in concert with like minded people.

There used to be a concept of Elders conferred on those who were successful in WT challenges. One of the roles of tribal elders is to share their knowledge and experience with those who will follow behind them. Is is wrong for anyone to ask advice, to get opinions on routes, to share information about particular hazards with the rest of the community? Or does our being "experts"ourselves preclude us from doing that? Fore example, there was a thread on the forum regarding conditions at Stump Pass and how it's changed since last year. There may be folks who thought it innappropriate, but I'm not one. As a competent (TBD) and prudent mariner I feel it is important to learn as much as I can about what hazards I face. Since mnay of us don't live there and it's very impractical to go on scouting mission, I think it's perfectly OK to have a discussion, to share our collective knowlege and the learnings based on real experience. This is an expedition-style race, not a real expedition where we are caroming off into some great unknown.

It's also just as important that in running an event the size of the EC it's important that collect our knowledge, divine what we can learn from it, and use those learnings to make subsequent events better.

Maybe this perspective makes me one of the whiners, maybe not. It's impossible to impartially judge oneself.

Let me conclude by saying WT has been a life changing event for me, allowing me to fulfill my childhood dreams, and my participation is something I love dearly. Thanks for letting me vent.

Posted 7 years ago #
MarlinBrando
Member

<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(55, 55, 55); line-height: 21.125px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">"The Narrative: You have been on a long expedition and are currently on the western shore of a long peninsula. You need to catch a biannual train that passes about 300 miles south of your current position in 7 days. If you don’t get down there by the deadline, you have to wait six months for the next extraction opportunity. Why are you still sitting on the beach?" - Chief (I assume)

This one paragraph sucked me into the idea of saving up the money and joining all of you next year. This is why I am going to be in this race. And I accept the responsibility of that decision in full. I plan to have fun. I plan to be tired and wet. I plan to be prepared. I wouldnt even consider the race if i was not prepared. I also plan to have all of my knowledge tested, to be pushed to the limit. Otherwise... Whats the point of doing anything if your not willing to find out what the hell you can do?

Posted 7 years ago #
PrivateHam
Member

BeastOarman wrote:

I would not consider the bay crossing the be all - end all of testing skill.

It definitely isn't that. As far as solving the root problem goes, however, it may have sufficed. Should the CG have been satisfied with a permit prior to the event and if a mentor/buddy performs like MicroTom and others in their rescue assistance this year, several or more rescues may have been avoided. CG Permit and fewer rescues most likely results in the continuation of the event.

I think a mentor/buddy system would be a great way to increase safety, share knowledge, and build an even stronger community. It wouldn't be the silver bullet solution, but it certainly could help in ways that possessing a certification in X could not. It could be considered a backstop to any other "prove your skills" qualifications that arise as a result of this. These are just constructive thoughts to be considered that's all.

Posted 7 years ago #
FalconSails
Member

I have read the near endless ideas. All well-intentioned, but I think most are just bureaucratic ideas. It would be easy to write a book on all these recent issues and opinions. Maybe somebody would write a detailed chronology on the 2015 EC and include all these ideas for everybody to learn by.

I am amazed at all the Monday Quarterbacks. Even when you have an imaginary endless support team, endless resources, endless time, and experience, you are still going to make “mistakes”. You could work on this full time for free, and spend all event income on making things perfect and still have critics. So what if somebody did not get ahead of the curve on every possible issue. So what if they did not get a permit for going on the water or if somebody makes a rule to prevent cars from driving where cars do not belong. Just be glad somebody is making it happen. The overall organizational achievements of the Watertribe are quite impressive. I see no other organization that is a close second in doing what the Watertribe does.

There is 1 post above that stands out as realistic, and productive, that everybody should read a few times.

It was written by SandyBottom -
It starts out “I started In Watertriber because it was an extreme challenge in my sport………………………….”
That was so well written.
Though, the pursuit of local knowledge from all sources is part of any adventure. Of course it is reasonable to keep a few secrets to yourself.

Another post above suggested the idea of changing nothing. I would stick to that as much as is reasonable. Though I accept change may be unavoidable.

For those who care about my ideas,
It would be good to require good fitting spray skirts that will not pool water, or obviously leak. They should be implosion resistant. Any boat that can be open, should have bulk heads and or solid non-moving floatation. I will spare the detailed description. That may have prevented one situation from deteriorating into a problem.

I hope the ACA certifications requirement can be avoided. They are costly in terms of time and money. I do not have any better ideas, but I hope it can be avoided.

I am looking forward to seeing the new and improved Watertribe at my next Watertribe event.

Posted 7 years ago #
JoeVanGeaux
Member

This thread exemplifies what attracted me to the WT in the first place. Not long after joining at the end of last summer I found out that mast takedowns (Class 4) where no longer a required part of the adventure and with that, I felt a bit drained of an interesting part of the challenge and the spirit of the event.

Being too new to the Tribe for my two cents to count for any more than face value, I wouldn't be hurt if all the WT did was have a "gathering" for "a meeting of kindred spirits" at Fort Desoto (or ?) on one selected Saturday and another follow up "gathering" someplace else the next Saturday - how you claim to have gotten there is up to you and the honor of your good word... all else, go skiing, motorboating or something!

Calling such events "races" with "awards" has no effect on me whatever - nil!!. I kept a silvered plate I once won in a buoys race in my desk at work for eating those lunch goodies we'd get after some meeting breaks up or for those 'pot luck' lunch "socials" that happened on occasion. (Only one person in over 20 years ever asked about the plate and I told them I use it because those plastic plates are too flimsy.)

-JVG

Posted 7 years ago #
SailBirdMike
Inactive

Does it make me less of a Triber because I looked at routes others have used in the past? Seriously? Am I less of a Triber because I take my time instead of racing to the end of the course? When I joined, the whole idea was one of expedition and adventure. I knew damn well my safety was my business and responsibility, and no one else's. But, like any adventurer or explorer visiting an unfamilar place, I checked out the adventurers who preceded me there. I build, I modify, I innovate, and I share my knowledge... the very idea of hiding my trek from others is alien to me. I have no desire to say "I got there - let's see you do it" - rather, I'll say "I got there, it was one of the best things I ever did, and if you want to know more, just ask!"

Posted 7 years ago #
MicroTom
Key Master

FalconSails, Great post. I would like to buy you beer or beverage of choice next time we meet.

Posted 7 years ago #
BeastOarman
Member

Many of us do not necessarily aspire to be the first at Largo. But we are trying to find ways to encourage expertise and self reliance, without addition of rules.

Posted 7 years ago #
KneadingWater
Member

The ACA and BCU embrace canoes, kayaks, SUPs, and other forms of paddle powered vessels.

They are organizations of different flavors that encourage both 'skills development', as well as development of instructors and 'coaches' to teach and assess these skills.

I hate to see more rules as much as anyone. The rules state we need to be skilled in rescue. Year after year paddlers show up to the beach without the skills to self rescue, or rescue others. Anyone monitoring channel 16 would have listened to a ~40 minutes saga of 1 swimmer and 3 padders unable to get the swimmer back into the boat. I would like to hear more particulars as I only monitored the ongoing disussion with the USCG. Assuming the vessel was intact, there is no reason for 3 expert padders not getting the swimmer back ino the boat quickly and get them to safe waters. If you have stuff streapped on your back deck, then rolling, 'cowboy' and rescuing others becomes problematic.

Larger vessels have a requirement to monitor channel 16. There is good reason for this. I my opinion the marine radio is your most imporatant safety equipment. Your radio should be ON most of the time; certainly at the start or in rough conditions. How else can you know a fellow Watertiber needs assistance? You should be skilled at marine radio communication. Your radio shold not be stowed.

We should have a designated recreational channel (e.g. 69) for non-life threatening communication amongst ourselves. Channel 16 is for hailing and distress only and it is monitored by the USCG.

ALL vessels have a requiement to be on the look out and offer assistance if possible; to any other vessel in distress (tribe or otherwise).

Tow belts should be worn at the start of the race. Most BCU 4* or ACA, level 4, paddlers would be uncomfortable not wearing them. I have towed others in almost every tribe event.

Training in using safety equipment (radio), rescues, and towing is important. ACA and BCU are good sources of training. I am not sure we need more rules, but we do need to comply with the rules that are already in existance.

I would encourage welcominging all current tribal members back to the start of the race--we all bring valid opinions and tribal energy. I do think we need to focus much more on saftey. If you cannot get yourself back into your boat 'in conditions', and you can't get an incapacitated paddler back into their boat 'in conditions' and then steady them while a 3rd tows you to safety, they you are a risk to this challenge. If the conditions are too great, then your expert judgement should have kept you on the beach.

KW

Posted 7 years ago #
DancesWithSandyBottom
Member

Good point about monitoring VHF 16. As I read it, the statutes for MEPs do not require any additional kinds of two-way communication [Title 33, Part 100]

Posted 7 years ago #
SeaHawk
Member

As a new-ish watertriber only having 4 challenges done, 2014 BBC, NCC 2010,2011,2012, I may not be the one that will make any differance to any of this. But I got into this because I am responsable for me. when you leave the beach you are on your own. It is your own race.

For me it is not what watertribe has to do to keep me safe. But it is what I have to do to keep myself safe, to help others be safe, and to keep watertribe in good standing so that I can continue to do the events that I have done, and to branch out to do more challenges that are offered.

Hope a lot of new rules do not come out of this. I hope no new rules.

I just want to paddle and test myself, have fun, and meet people that want to enjoy that with me. That is what Watertribe gives to me.

Posted 7 years ago #
MicroTom
Key Master

SandyBottom, Just read your post after skipping it earlier. Well said. Thank you for your wisdom.

Posted 7 years ago #
Chief
Coastal Vagabond

I continue to recommend that WaterTribers in kayaks, canoes or SUPs get proper training from the ACA or BCU. But I won't require certification. I do expect an expert to know and practice all the skills that they teach however.

The PDF document listed in another thread will be required. In that document you will certify your expert status. If you lie, you might die. Heed the warning that is referenced on the first line you will have to initial.

Other than this new document during the registration process, there will be no new rules.

Posted 7 years ago #
Macatawa
Member

FWIW...

Here is a link the assesment form for ACA Level 4 coastal kayaking, which seems to best apply to Classes 1, 2 and 3:

http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.americancanoe.org/resource/resmgr/sei-courses/l4_ck_assessment.pdf

For myself in a Kruger SeaWind, I don't fit well into the ACA categories, but there is very little on this checklist that I would have a hard time demonstrating. Krugers don't edge very well, and there is no way I can roll or re-enter and roll, but everything else seems straightforward.

Check out the list and assess yourself honestly.

Posted 7 years ago #
whitecaps
Member

You done better with the words then I could have Dawn!

For me I liked the old way, where I earned my own way to be a triber.

I like events where I take care of me.

Get the hell out of the Watertribe or start your own event if your ideas are so great or you need better hand holding in this stuff. Some are to stupid to even understand this, and I will not even debate this.

Waertribe belongs to Chief. Yep this is a dictatorship or however you spell it. Live with it. (or quit.)

Hey armchair racers on your opions, ya are non persons to me. (sorry, not really unless you start rule stuff.)

  Quit if you do not like it! See ya. Hey refer to the quit part if you want to whine to me. I am also at all the ECs so come express face to face for sure.

This is a dangerous event! You could die! Oh and the big one, YOU ARE OWN YOUR OWN! duh.

From most of the chatter most suck. If we had this in place or we had that in place or we would have got this permit etc. Most would still have sucked! What part of the expedition event and you are own your own did you not understand?

Stuipd people, I see this on inspection, Watch, compass, charts. They check check it all off but have no watch. I can go on and on but dumb people just amaze me.

I do not care if form xxx or whatever was filed and cleared, this stuff is oh well. I just want to see you in Largo.

After all I just want to do real life expedtions.

toby



Posted 7 years ago #
SailBirdMike
Inactive

OK, Whitecaps... I was an inspector for this EC, and after the experience I had with one triber, I'll never do it again. I was very diligent, attempting to make sure everyone had the right equipment and had a righting plan. I sent two people out for a proper knife (1 also needed a better emergency firestarter kit), and they didn't grumble at all. But I had one guy who had a hissy fit when I had to explain to him the his SPOT was not a PLB, and he needed both. He also thought a leatherman in a pouch in a pocket was actually a safety knife. His reaction, and RM's reaction to my informing them were not at all what I expected. And now I see DeadCat, who made excellent points, kicked out, while our 'Elders' get to post highly insulting commentary with no fear of reprisal. I'm sorry if my 3 entries, 1 finish, checkpoint work and inspection duties don't meet some standard of 'earning' my way in. So now if you'll excuse me, I'll show myself OUT.

Posted 7 years ago #
Scareman
Member

For me, I clearly communicate that my biggest risk during the EC is myself and my choices.

Before entering the EC, I knew that I had to be prepared to walk away from everything to make sure that I survived if I ever exhausted all possibilities to arrive safely on land in the event of an equipment failure or injury.

I understand a small annaul fee for a boat rescue/tow service is cheap insurance if a craft is in distress.

I understand that I can survive immersion in my drysuit and floating at sea for days if needed. However if I am not dressed for immersion, then shame on me for not being prepared and putting my life at risk in any water temperature les than 95 Deg F.

I understand that I should only signal for a rescue if my situation is dire, life threatening, and conditions are deteriorating.

I learned in 2012 crossing Tampa Bay that my 10-year old spray skirt allowed too much water to pool and seep into my cockpit. So I adjusted my plans paddling through the 6' waves (per Sawhorse's expert assessment after we landed at Anna Maria) and stopped at Anna MAria to pump out and dry out. I knew my health was compromised due to my legs being exposed to the cooler water, but I was still OK. I just needed to pump out, dry out, and warm-up. Then I picked a protected route to miniize exposure. I now have a new PFD that does not press down the back of my skirt and allow pooling behind me. I also have a new neoprene skirt that keeps the water out.

I am prepared for Hypothermia because I trained to use my hypothermia kit. How many people have trained with their kit by immersing or soaking yourself in 40 degree water and then tracking your body temperature drop? I used my kit to recover after spending hours in the rain in 40 degree weather, and then soaking myself with well water from a hose, but learned some recovery happens too quickly and you could go into shock.

In 2010 I learned limitations of my vessel while paddling from the rear cockpit. I was prepared to sit in the mangroves on Joe River until the wind subsided. Friendly WaterTribers came along and offered a tow. I was prepared to sit in that spot for days if needed as I was in the Okefenokee Swamp before i ever knew about the WaterTribe. There the Rangers said I would never make it through the paddling trails in my 22' kayak, but I explained I was dressed for immersion and prepared to return backwards if I encountered a spot too tight to maneuver my kayak.

I have had to remind my wife now that she is "paying attention" to all of this information that I will activate the SPOT HELP button only if I have a problem that requires me to figure out a fix. If I need external support, then I will call her if possible. Once the situation is resolved I will send an OK message. I also reminded her that it could take me two days to find a solution on a barrier island, or wait for a passing boat for assistnce. I have food and water to survive for weeks in a survival mode.

The real time data available to speculation and lurkers wondering and posting "WHERE IS XXXX?" created quite the hype and undue concerns. Too much data can be a problem, especially when well intentioned lurkers are lurking for friends that may not understand that their question creates undue stress in the system. I am sure that I have contributed to this issue myself.

Tides, they do matter. I hand draw the tides over time ranges for the entire course for the duration of the EC. I have been advised by many WaterTribers that they do not worry about tides. However, the start of EC 2015 in Tampa Bay is a great example of when a countering wind and tide create a challenging situation, not an impossible situation. I know when slack tides will be present on the major crossing so that I can adjust my plan based on the current weather and position every moment. For many people crossing Tampa Bay in 2015, they could have waited a bit for the tide and wind to wain to allow less challenging conditions. Each Captain must mke that choice.

If you need a buddy to cross open water, then you should not be entering a WaterTribe event.

If you want a buddy to cross open water, then you are a smarter WaterTriber. My rescue skills and training encompass many rescue and rafting techniques, and include towing. I certainly want a buddy for a night crossing in challenging conditions. However, if you have not arranged how to communicate with VHF, whistle, lights, and or 1 minute checks, then a buddy may not help you at all once you lose contact with that buddy.

Remember, even buddy systems fail and we have examples of buddies being stranded a few hundred feet apart in Florida Bay all night because each thought the other was in trouble, only to find all was clear in the morning light. Buddy systems are only good if all parties involved are clearly aligned to communication protocol and separation distance.

Rafting-up..have you ever done it? If you never have rafted-up, then you most certainly have not performed an assisted rescue.

My SPOT and NOAA Registered PLB rescue messages note my size and weight, in addition to other key details about my vessel (only one soul abourd despite that it is a two-person craft).

Dress for immersion - gotta do it! I finished the EC2013 crossing Florida Bay in my drysuit. In fact most of my 2013 EC was done in my drysuit because I want to survive. I do not want to have to call the USCG for a pluck if I have only been in the water for a few minutes and I am chilly. I want to have every opportunity to self-recover and swim for hours if necessary to get my craft into shallow water to use my repair kit if needed. Notice I didn't say dry land, but shallow water.

If I was going to cross Charlotte Harbor at night in 2015, I would have donned my drysuit. Depending on the other crossing opportunities with tides and wind to cross Charlotte Harbor, and any buddies traveling with me would have impacted my decision to don or doff the drysuit. I adjust to the conditions at hand, but I do take my drysuit on every EC.

Routes - hate them. I prefer to navigate based on wind, weather, and waves at my current position.

Tracks - well I cannot even use my own tracks to help myself.

Waypoints, a chart, and a compass - critical. Paddling to those waypoints such as Twisty Mile in Florida Bay is essential prework.

In closing, I clearly understand my biggest risk to myself is ME. I could be choosing to put myself in harm's way in conditions that I may not be able to handle. However, I am ready to abort and adapt a current plan to mitigate risk and seek a safer position or route - even if that means back tracking. I am prepared to "float away" from my vessel and all of its gear lashed and stowed onto her. I am prepared to float for days in my PFD and drysuit until I reach dry land and regroup. I understand that if I truly am in need of a rescue for my heath that I will not hesitate to signal for an immediate extraction rescue because it may take hours to be rescued.

I hope this is coherent and a valuable reflection of how I approach the EC.

Posted 7 years ago #
whitecaps
Member

I really have no idea what to say. Sorry? Not enough for you for sure. There is for sure no extras for the elders, they are and should be held higher.

I would not have waited for a reaction on the spot vesa the plb. I would have D. Q. them right there and it would have been up to them to proceed. And as far as Race managment you are refering to. Whom?

Tell ya what happens if I DQ you, we do not go see Paula, she has too much to do, and will back me so we be done.

You will have to take it on your own to find Chief and make your case. No plb you be done for. You want to fight safety knifes, shelters, sleeping, wearing stuff, ok I will talk with you and make my own decision. Thats why I am in this postion.

You be right on the reprisales, I am not worried about Chief  kicking me out. (he could have done so a long time ago) What I could not stand is my fellow Tribers no longer having anything to do with me. And yep I will defend the elders.

Respect the old ways, these old ones still live in the stars and other vodo like charts, some stupid toy that points north and other wives tales.

I learned how to do hard stuff here. I owe the Watertribe so I have no feelings for those that quit. Bye!

toby

Posted 7 years ago #
whitecaps
Member

I am slow so the above was to SBM post.

toby

Posted 7 years ago #
Squirrel
Member

KneadingWater wrote: "Tow belts should be worn at the start of the race. Most BCU 4* or ACA, level 4, paddlers would be uncomfortable not wearing them. I have towed others in almost every tribe event."

My "experienced" opinion is this is good common sense for an expert on the open water. I grew up sailing on the Pacific Ocean and have my share of stories being knocked over board in shark infested water in moderate wind and seas. On our TI, we have a tow belt/throw line that is easily accessible to both me and Moose....in case of a calamity.

Posted 7 years ago #

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