I am publishing this because it does have a bearing on our own trips - and should encourage people to think about their responsibilities to a group when paddling. This happened a few years ago - it caused an uproar on the chat pages on the Internet. I paddled with some of the members of this club last year, and I still don’t think they have learnt anything from this incident.
Laurie Ford
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From Nick Gill:-
We had a NSW Sea Kayaking Club paddle at Jervis Bay (JB) on the New South Wales south coast last weekend. Our paddle was around the Peninsula that forms the northern arm of the Bay, from a place called Currarong to a camp ground in Jervis Bay called Honeymoon Bay. The attraction of this area is the high (60-100+ metres), sheer and continuous sea cliffs and the caves and canyons they contain. It is truly spectacular paddling. It is about 23km.

We started from Currarong at about 10am on Saturday with a westerly wind and a small swell, and headed south. The cliffs run north-south and so a westerly was perfect as it meant calm conditions at the base of the cliffs. The day went without incident and some wonderful cave investigations were carried out. However, as we got near the north headland (Point Perpendicular) of Jervis Bay we were hit by strong winds that were coming from the west across the wide expanse of JB and curling around the headland, and spiralling in towards the cliffs. These winds were extremely hard to paddle into and the chop was frequent. It was all we could do to keep moving and not be pushed into the cliffs - this at the end of a day of paddling. After only a kilometre or two I was already feeling exhausted and we still had several K's to go.

Once we got to Pt P. we managed to regroup somewhat and we abandoned our plan to go to Honeymoon Bay. Instead a closer beach (Target Beach) inside JB became the goal.  So began the slog across the bay to Target Bch. I have never felt at my limits of strength as I did at this point, and although I was making progress I was also gradually being edged closer to the cliffs inside JB. There was nowhere to land. At times though even the jumbled rocks at the base of the cliffs looked good, they were solid at least. It was sheer effort of will that kept me going. However, I realised that I wasn't going to make Target Beach. From previous paddles in the area I knew of a closer inlet that would be sheltered in these winds. By this stage I was isolated from the others who had managed not to get blown off course as I had.

I made it to the inlet (Bream Beach) and slipped into calm water. Never have I known such relief. For the first time in my sea kayaking career (only about 2-3 years) I  had felt real fear and had thought that I would not make it. Even if I had ended up on the cliffs in one piece I would have been wet, tired, and cold with a rapidly setting sun.

As it was I was now alone and a couple of kilometres of extremely dense vegetation from Target Beach. However I had food, water and dry, warm clothes. I also had a map which showed an old four-wheel drive track to Bream Beach. Having changed and eaten I headed off to the main road (about 3km). By the time I got there it had been dark for a while. I sat by the roadside eating a pumpkin muffin, hoping that rescuers would come. After only ten minutes  some club members who had not paddled that day turned up, having worked out that I would probably be at Bream Beach. They had tents, sleeping bags, food etc in case I was in strife.

The others had reached Target Beach in various stages of exhaustion and coldness. Everybody managed to walk and get ferried back to Honeymoon Bay. The next day we retrieved our boats. I have never seen the NSW paddlers so quiet and happy to potter about without surfing and running gauntlets.

No doubt there will be revisiting of the event and a deal of self-criticism. Whatever the case I am a different paddler than what I was last Saturday morning. At the very least I need to get fitter, time in a boat is needed, but some weights will help.
Nicholas Gill
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From Jackie Fenton,

In my opinion, I really don't think weight training is the key here.  Because no matter how much muscle mass and strength you build, there is *always* going to be a stronger wind.

I think Nick should pat himself on the shoulder for making a wise decision and getting off the water when he did. Knowing your limitations is more important than being able to keep up with "the other guys." Listening to your body, using common sense is what keeps you alive.

Maybe the other paddlers had a good deal more experience. I'm thinking of Nick's remark about being blown off course where the others were not. And then again, maybe Nick was more clever and the others just lucky.

It *does* bother me that the group did not stay together and the other paddlers either deliberately left him behind, or worse, were not paying attention to Nick getting way behind. What if Nick was upside down in the water. Would they have seen this? Suppose he *was* bashed into those cliffs.

Nothing wrong with building strength.  But there is nothing wrong with quitting either, even if it's before the others are ready.
Jackie Fenton
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From: Russell_
Subject: Re: Weekend scary incident.

That was an interesting account. I appreciate that you took the time to write it up and to account what took place in your view. The information is valuable to all either because we all have been there or we will soon be there.

I have been in a similar situation when the crossing was long and the seas were rough. When the conditions become hazardous or possibly "life-threatening" in the eyes of the individual paddler, he (she) will do what whatever they can to get to a place where they are more in control of the situation. Group dynamics (ie. staying together, helping each other) often go out the window and it's every man (generic) for themselves with the end result of everyone being scattered.

Nick, you were wise to have a map that showed the topography of the land, extra food and dry, warm clothing. I would like to hear the accounts and criticisms that follow if you wouldn't mind printing them. Perhaps the general populace (kayak mailing list) would benefit. I think I would.
Russ
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From: Jackie Fenton
Subject: Re:  Weekend scary incident

There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes

Touchee - quote of the month. Although the one about 90% of life being showing up comes a close second.

Not sure what the weather is like where you are, but in the last couple of weeks, the United States has lost over 700 lives due to the heat wave.

I couldn't tell you what they were wearing.

Regarding the conversation on paddlers deserting other paddlers, there are two different issues at hand here, but either can have the same consequences. The two issues being paddlers who desert other paddlers due to panic, and paddlers with large egos that leave others behind to be the first ego to arrive at a given destination (and in this same category, paddlers who take off, unconcerned with the status of the other paddlers). Both situations punctuate that the group is out of control.

The frustration expressed here, I believe, is the feeling of a lack of control and how to regain control. I think some of the frustration comes from the realization that you cannot force others to adhere to your rules. But it is equally important to realize that you can *still* maintain control of your group dynamics by having it understood that if paddlers refuse to follow the rules established by the club or by an individual's private trip, then they will not be invited back.

Some paddlers are afraid to enforce the rules because they believe there are those who will refuse to join their group. What places a leader in control is being prepared to lose paddlers who refuse to cooperate. And, after all, isn't it better that those who refuse to play by the rules, paddle elsewhere than to have them paddle off over the horizon leaving you and others pissed off in the rear? Being firm on your standards puts you in control.

Establish rules such as paddlers remaining within a decided perimeter of a lead and a sweep, the distance to be determined by amount of time required to reach paddlers in case of an emergency.These limits should be set by a leader, which can be altered in accordance to weather conditions and paddling situations such as paddling among rocks or paddling in strong currents.

It should be emphasized that the value of group paddles is not about who gets to he other side first,but who is dependable and reliable in the event a situation arises that requires the aid of other paddlers. I would be very interested in hearing more suggestions on acquiring coherency in group trips.

After all that said... (whew!) I want to stress what I believe to be the *most* important advice that can be passed on to beginning and "experienced" sea kayakers is that *ultimately* it is the individual paddler that is responsible for their own safety. When a paddler realizes this, it is my opinion that you are less likely to experience panic and group desertion.

After being deserted in hazardous conditions, I struggled for some time trying to understand exactly what was the lesson I should learn. What could I tell others to prevent it happening to them? My predicament had come about so easily.

At first I was angry at the other paddlers who left me behind and was determined I would never paddle with them again. But that didn't solve the *real* issue. I still felt as though I was not in control, because how would I prevent it happening again if I couldn't be sure other paddlers would react the same? Then I realized that the issue wasn't really so much about them leaving me behind, as it was that I was not prepared to paddle alone. If something happened to me out there, it was because *I* wasn't prepared. I had been naive and ignorant. To gain control (which is what I really desired) I must assume full responsibility for my own safety. To do that, I had to be prepared for paddling alone *every* time I left the shore, regardless of who I was paddling with.  In reality, we do *not* have control over the actions of others. We may set rules by which we require others to abide, and only their willingness and/or agreement to participate, is the key. All that said and done, we only have control over ourselves. And once we realize this, and take action upon that fact, *then* is when we have the power.

btw, I just read Andrews excellent recounting of the events as happened to him that day. I think it would be beneficial if we could exchange information on what would prepare a paddler to paddle alone. In my area, hyperthermia may be more of an issue than hypothermia. Maybe others will add to the list... ?

In Andrew's and Nick's "list"

     whistle
     paddle tether
     pump
     compass
     topo maps of the area
     tow rope
     first-aid kit
     candy bars
     warm clothing

I would like to add (with some considerations for areas such as where I frequently paddle)....

     flares
     emergency markers
     plenty of drinking water
     ww helmet when paddling in large surf  or around rocks
     tether for attaching oneself to their  kayak
     paddle float and/or stirrup
     emergency weather radio
     sun block
     hat
     light clothing
     tarp
     matches
     signaling mirror
     spare paddle
     small portable boat horn (works where  a whistle does not)
Jackie Fenton
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From: "Andrew Eddy"
Subject: More on the w/e scary incident.
I shared the "weekend scary incident" trip with Nick.

The club has a grading system, introduced earlier this year. This trip was graded 3, meaning for Sea Proficiency Certificate ability or better. My skills meet the criteria for grade 3 including training and use of self-rescue and assisted rescue techniques, paddling technique and ability to comfortably cover the distance. I cannot roll my Feathercraft but the ability to roll is not required before our grade 4 (Advanced Sea Proficiency equivalent). The weather report the previous evening had said that we should expect winds to 35 km (about 20 knots) easing later in the day. 20 knots and choppy seas is not enough to change the grading to the next level up. Air and water temperatures were both about 15⁰ C (59⁰ F).

I was uncertain about starting the trip from Currarong, and in fact had left the kayak on top of the car until I had talked with most of the experienced paddlers in the group. Before the group left Currarong, the trip leaders had stressed the need for our group of 12 to stay together and keep in mind the wide range of abilities in the group. This same technique had worked very well in the last big group paddle along the cliff-line of the Royal National Park. On that trip we had had 15 people paddling 45 km over two days, with non-landable stretches up to 12 km.

We left Currarong with a small beam sea and wind, changing to a following sea and wind as we turned south along the cliffs of the Beecroft Peninsula. For the next five hours we paddled along in the protection of the spectacular rugged cliffs. Most of the group played in the sea caves and canyons. I was content to sit in the slight swell and watch.

The problems for me started as soon as we rounded Point Perpendicular into the westerly (offshore) wind later estimated as up to 35 knots. The wind, with a fetch of about 12 km across Jervis Bay, had whipped up a choppy sea, but it was the wind itself which was the problem. I was able to make about 10 to 15 metres per minute into the wind, so the group slowly passed me until I was at the back, with [....], one of the most experienced paddlers. After another quarter hour the group was out of sight, so [....] decided that I needed the assistance of a tow.

We rafted up together in order to discuss the options and to deploy my tow-line (he carries none). My tow-line is in a throw-bag on deck and is ready to deploy at all times. The tow-line should be paid out of its bag by taking the throwbag, attaching it to another kayak and paddling away. It works, and I have used it in anger twice before to help others in similar conditions. He had never used such a system and he opened the bag from on my stern deck, reached in with his hand, pulled the whole line out and dropped it in the water. When deployed like this it becomes a tangled mass of spaghetti. He saw the mess and started to try to unravel it, dropped his paddle (no leash). In two seconds we drifted out of reach of his paddle. We were broached to the wind and waves,
drifting quickly back out to sea. He was upwind of me so I had to turn downwind to pull away from him before chasing upwind to recover his paddle. I found when I tried to brace for a wave that I was tangled in the tow-rope and promptly capsized with the full force of the wind under my hull! [ ... ] was not interested in my spare paddle (on deck) since it needs time to assemble (under ten seconds to pull out and plug together) so I unleashed my paddle and passed it to him. He collected his own paddle while I swam my kayak out to sea, away from the waves breaking at the base of the cliffs, and untangled the tow-line from around my legs and arms. I could not re-enter the kayak on my own while it was broached. This is the first time I have ever failed a self-rescue. We executed a simple assisted re-entry (which a dozen of the club's members had already practiced at the club's sea rescue seminar, three months ago, and which I had practiced in poor conditions on another club paddle about two months ago). I attached the tow-line and [ ... ] started the tow.

Another of the strongest paddlers, [ ... ], appeared. He had lost sight of us and realised that something was wrong. He joined in the tow too.

On a club trip in March, I had decided half an hour into a paddle out to an offshore island, that I should turn back. I watched from the beach when, later that day, [ ... ] had towed two paddlers, one sea-sickness victim and the other supporting the patient, ten kilometres back from that island.

I paddled as hard as I could during the one and a half hours it took to paddle about three kilometres to the rest of the group at Target Beach. I was able to keep [ ... ]'s tow-line slack much of the time, believing that this would help him as much as possible. The tow-line between [ ... ] and me only pulled taut twice during that time and for most of the trip it looped back from my bow, past my cockpit and forward in a long arc to [ ... ]'s kayak, occasionally interfering in my right-side paddle strokes. I thought at the time that this meant that [ ... ] was really no stronger than I, but we later realised that he had been dragging the throw bag in the water as a sea anchor and the long arc of tow-rope had also contributed a lot of drag. The often-slack line between [ ... ] and me may have added unnecessarily to [ ... ]'s drag too.

When we reached Target Beach, where all of the group except Nick had gathered, I was so exhausted that it was all I could do to low-brace in a wave only 60-70 cm high.

So what did we do wrong?

I know that I am weak. My cardiovascular fitness is high, from my daily cycling to work, but my upper body muscles are not strong. I started weight training three weeks ago in order to be ready for the summer. I can comfortably cover moderate distances in good conditions (our Thursday night paddles cover 18 kilometres in three hours) but I have no reserve of strength for a strong wind. Despite that, I went out in conditions which may have been outside my ability, in the expectation that the conditions were going to improve. The conditions got worse: I had left myself no room for error.

The group stuck together as long as conditions were good, and the more experienced paddlers looked after the weakest (me) when conditions became bad. This left the second-weakest without support. If I had not been there, it is quite likely that Nick would have been followed and helped by [....] or [....].

I think that sea kayaking is very different to land-based outdoor activities in the group dynamics that it can create. On land, when conditions deteriorate, the members of your group tend to bunch together; thick scrub, rain, wind, ice, white-out, cliff-lines, nightfall or whatever can often have a group spread out over only a few metres. When conditions deteriorate at sea, the conditions themselves tend to separate the group, so a sea kayak group must make a deliberate effort to bunch up. Those of us who come from a ski-touring background know the value of staying together, but may not see the separation happening until it has already happened. Signalling then becomes much more difficult (we tested whistles in windy conditions down at the Sea Rescue Seminar, and only one whistle was noticeably better than a shout, none were any use over about 200 metres in any direction in the wind).

There was not enough spare gear, safety gear and rescue gear. I had enough gear to help out someone else, but the gear (especially the tow-line) was not rigged for someone else to help me easily. [ ... ] had only minimal gear. If the worst had come about, then I was prepared to retrace the afternoon's paddle back to our lunch spot, and would have been equipped to spend the night, and walk or paddle out the following morning.

After we arrived at Target Beach, I was quite disturbed to see the two strong paddlers, who had given me the assistance of a tow and who were therefore already more tired than under better conditions, set off at dusk to paddle the last five kilometres or so back into the wind to reach Honeymoon Bay. In my experience, when  your group has a chance to consolidate and discuss changed plans, you make the most of the opportunity, get everyone together and stay together.

We do need to know how to work each others' safety and rescue gear.

A throw bag deploys rope predictably and safely. Proper deployment would have reduced the probability of my capsize, and would have prevented that tiresome entanglement with the tow-rope. I still had a lot of hull exposed to gusts, especially when on the crest of a wave, and trying to break away from the downwind side of a raft-up was a technical challenge in itself, so I don't put all of the blame on the tow-rope.

A sea-sock forms a water-tight and air-tight seal with the hull, and so it is meant to be pumped or sponged out not pulled out, and this confused [ ... ] a little, and led to extra delay and further downwind drift.

For the first and last time in my life my pump was stowed in the cockpit, on the wrong side of the sea-sock, where I could not reach it quickly. Because it was on the wrong side of the sea-sock I had to partially remove the sea-sock (akin to undoing your hatches, or removing bulkheads) to find it!

All these things led to delay and further downwind drift. We lost 200 metres or more (20 minutes of paddling time for me in these conditions) before restarting.

It has occurred to me that a sea-anchor or drogue might have been handy, to keep a raft of paddlers pointed into the wind and sea, and slow the downwind drift. On the debit side, it would have added extra time in hauling the anchor back in and would have risked further entanglement between the anchor lines and the tow-line. Would a sea anchor have been of benefit? Does anyone have first-hand experience in similar conditions? I have read of lone paddlers relying on sea anchors to slow the drift of the kayak after a capsize and point it into the waves to assist in a self-rescue and re-entry.

I like the club's new grading system for trips. I think that, when we understand and apply it well, it will be a very useful tool. I can see that if I had applied the grading system conservatively (leaving a margin for [1] an _increase_ in wind speed around obstacles like Point Perpendicular and [2] an optimistic weather report) then I would have reached a different conclusion. Well, I have learned something.
Andrew Eddy
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From: Jeanette Mill
Subject: more on scary incident

Hi folks,
I have been following recent postings re Nick's scary incident with interest, as I was witness to this event. It was scary for me as well - as I have enough outdoors experience to know what these situations can become so easily.

I had walked to Target Beach as I was a non-paddler on the day, and watched events unfold through my binoculars.

What was most disturbing about the whole event was that when the group (minus Nick and one of the group leaders who had decided to go on to Honeymoon Bay) pulled in at Target Beach nobody, including the group leader who hadn't continued, could account for Nick's whereabouts. I had seen him once out in the bay through my binocs, and then lost sight of him. Given the conditions and the state of the group I had realised that he must have pulled in somewhere due to tiredness/injury or some other problem.

After several attempts to get the leader interested in doing something about accounting for Nick, I decided it wasn't going to happen and took matters into my own hands. I got out the 1:25 000 map I had, and which I knew Nick had. I showed the leader where I thought he had gone in and told him I was going out by road and the abandoned 4wd track in the area to look for him. I then ran 3km back to camp in the fading light and sent two experienced night time navigators (Jeff and Jim) to get him, with the gear Nick mentioned to assist him if he was in trouble.

There were several small coves at the end of the 4wd track which branched many times, and if he was in trouble it would have proved very difficult to find him. I knew that because he was an experienced bushwalker, if he was ok he would do what he did, which was to get to the road. As he has said, he had negotiated the maze of tracks and was waiting (somewhat optimistically) at the road when Jeff and Jim arrived.

I went back to Target Beach to collect the rest of the paddlers, who I would not normally have left, as I could see the signs of serious exhaustion and cold exposure in them - slurred speech, lack of lucidity, lack of energy. In my association with this group I have never seen them looking so exhausted, even the ones I have heard described as being built like brick shithouses. I had left my spare clothing with them as I doubted (knew?) that many of them would not have packed such items for a day paddle.

To quote Nick "There seems to be little appreciation among many prominent club members as to how easily the situation can change in the outdoors, how vulnerable human beings are to cold and exhaustion, and how people who are cold and tired NEED help ."

I am still shaken by this incident and I will be writing to the club president and newsletter about this, the latest in a series of incidents for which the club is gaining some notoriety, and which I myself would like to see an end to. I will probably call my article "Nobody died..." in honour of the comment made afterwards by one of the leaders in attempting to have a debrief - the implication being it was ok because nobody died.

Sometimes it's difficult to be heard over the macho posturing, but we are gathering strength. There is concern over the possibility of this incident splitting the group, however I hope it doesn't come to that. It sounds bad because it is bad for multiple reasons, and the time has come for action.

My strong suggestion will be the election of a Safety Officer effective ASAP.  I may also suggest to Nick that he asks the above-mentioned leader to write the article on legal liability, as I
believe he is a student of law.

Any other ideas anyone?
Jeanette Mill

Lessons to be learned
From Laurie Ford
I guess there are a lot of things that we (Maatsuyker Canoe Club) have been doing almost without thinking, because we have developed the practices over 20 years or so. But they are not obvious to new paddlers, as shown in the Scary Weekend Incident.

(a) It is essential that all the group be in sight of each other, or at least in sight of the middle of the group. Then if the middle of the group see something wrong behind them and turn back - the front runners should always be looking round and will see the middle group turning back. I can assure you that no-one is going to chase after the front runners to tell them we are turning around, or changing our destination - it’s their job to be looking back, and come back when necessary.

And if paddlers are going to become tired, they are more likely to do so at the end of the trip, not the start - so it is more important to keep an eye on the stragglers the closer you get to the finish. A kilometre may well be beyond their capabilities with a bit of a head wind.

(b) Always carry spare clothes, food, sleeping bag, and at least a tent fly - even on easy day trips. These items really don’t add much weight to your kayak - and the easy trip may not stay that way. As they found out, the weather reports are not always reliable.

(c) A decent tow-rope should always be carried by at least half the group. I personally use ‘float rope’ for mine, it floats on the surface - as used by water skiers. Quite often these may be used just for a short period to get someone in behind a point so they can have a bit of a breather, or can be a life-saver if someone gets sea-sick miles off shore.

In that situation the person being towed is going to get very cold because they are no longer paddling - extra thermals may be required for them. And chocolate and sweet drinks (Coke’s the thing, although Cec suggests a tube of condensed milk).

(d) I personally like carrying a map on the deck, so it is there to look at for alternate landing spots if the plan needs to be changed. You are then able to calculate distances and times, and guess what areas might be more sheltered than others.

(e) With a little bit of experience you will know that the wind and seas are always worse off points. The wind tends to be squeezed and so speeds up, and the land jutting out will cause the waves to be reflected, and the seas to become lumpy.

(f) The only way to build up muscles, and experience, for sea canoeing - is in a kayak on the sea. Find somewhere safe where the surf is not too big, and the wind is on-shore - then if you capsize you will end up high and dry? back on the beach. Never go out to practice with a fresh off-shore breeze on your own. I can remember spending hours off Bellerive beach 20 years ago, in a good southerly, sitting side on to the waves to build up confidence. Maybe it’s not really the sea, but it was a hell of a good place to start off.

It worries me that someone who says they have been paddling for 2-3 years, still can’t paddle 23 kms - even if there was a bit of wind right at the end. The previous 20 km had been in very sheltered conditions, with a lot of time spent waiting while other explored the caves - hardly a recipe for exhaustion.You really ought to be looking at paddling 40 km in those conditions as a minimum.

Another thing that worries me is the attitude that when things get tough it’s every man for himself. This will surely spell disaster if paddlers go off in different directions. Even in extreme conditions - there is still safety in numbers. But I do agree that your standard should be such that you are fairly capable of surviving on your own.

And forget about grading systems - the sea can’t be graded. It changes from one minute to the next.
Laurie Ford