kayakers swamped ! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Matt · 12-24-2009, 12:35 PM

I wasn't involved but have heard some of the events thatbwent down!

The gentleman who went to the hospital started having some healthnproblems which then turned into some kayak issues and he flipped and lost his boat. A different Matt than I was with the two other gentleman and immediately used his VHF and sent a mayday call! All involved weremwearing real life jackets and they were all on tight! It is very fortunate that we didn't lose anyone!

Always, always, always carry your VHF within reach and always watch out for those around you! The Matt in this story is quite an accomplished waterman and knows his shit, I'm guessing it was a case of YT fever! It is easy to sitback and second guess as hindsight is 20 20 always.

According to the firsthand accounts that inhave heard the swell was up but not unmakeable although several guys flipped launching, the wind was blowing but not as bad as it ultimately got up to 40 mph gusts out there. I think the important part of this is we are very fortunate that we didn't lose anymof our brothers in arms! And that proper safety equipment is an absolute must! Even if you store it in the boat for the just in case moment and you need to don it, at least you have it with you.

Also always check the forecast and use common sense as to how far your skills as a waterman will enable you to deal with the conditions! And listen to what the voice in your head is telling you!

dorado50 · 12-24-2009, 12:58 PM

Thats the thing you never know what to expect at any given time. These guys must of done alot of things right to have made it back safely. I was down at the launch at exactly 5am and watched two to three yaks go out through the surf. The wind was big and it was coming hard from the west off the surface. I went home with no second thoughts of fishing that day......

Jim Sammons LJKF · 12-24-2009, 01:16 PM

That is the thing, people made very bad choices going out that day. I was there at 5:30, got out of my truck and immediately said no way to heading out. At the time I pulled up there were guys launching into that howling wind.
La Jolla isn't going anywhere, you can always go out another day. Better to be safe than to put your family through the pain it would cause the if you were lost out there.
I hope you all have a great Christmas and many more days on the water.

12-24-2009, 12:35 PM	#1
Matt Support your local pangas Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lj Posts: 976	I wasn't involved but have heard some of the events thatbwent down! The gentleman who went to the hospital started having some healthnproblems which then turned into some kayak issues and he flipped and lost his boat. A different Matt than I was with the two other gentleman and immediately used his VHF and sent a mayday call! All involved weremwearing real life jackets and they were all on tight! It is very fortunate that we didn't lose anyone! Always, always, always carry your VHF within reach and always watch out for those around you! The Matt in this story is quite an accomplished waterman and knows his shit, I'm guessing it was a case of YT fever! It is easy to sitback and second guess as hindsight is 20 20 always. According to the firsthand accounts that inhave heard the swell was up but not unmakeable although several guys flipped launching, the wind was blowing but not as bad as it ultimately got up to 40 mph gusts out there. I think the important part of this is we are very fortunate that we didn't lose anymof our brothers in arms! And that proper safety equipment is an absolute must! Even if you store it in the boat for the just in case moment and you need to don it, at least you have it with you. Also always check the forecast and use common sense as to how far your skills as a waterman will enable you to deal with the conditions! And listen to what the voice in your head is telling you! __________________ Thanks Matt F.

12-24-2009, 01:16 PM	#3
Jim Sammons LJKF Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 947	That is the thing, people made very bad choices going out that day. I was there at 5:30, got out of my truck and immediately said no way to heading out. At the time I pulled up there were guys launching into that howling wind. La Jolla isn't going anywhere, you can always go out another day. Better to be safe than to put your family through the pain it would cause the if you were lost out there. I hope you all have a great Christmas and many more days on the water. __________________ Jim Sammons La Jolla Kayak Fishing The Kayak Fishing Show JimSammons.com

12-24-2009, 12:58 PM	#2
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	Thats the thing you never know what to expect at any given time. These guys must of done alot of things right to have made it back safely. I was down at the launch at exactly 5am and watched two to three yaks go out through the surf. The wind was big and it was coming hard from the west off the surface. I went home with no second thoughts of fishing that day......