Note from the Editor
SKOAC's first paddling season is winding down. Trip reports are still trickling in, but it appears most folks had a great summer. We gained a number of new members, bringing our total number to around 125 SKOACers. Though paddling season will soon be over, SKOAC will not be going into hibernation. Winter camping and scuba diving will keep us busy through the cold months.
Not every SKOAC trip went smoothly this summer. Rough weather and hellacious bugs conspired to transform our July trip from Silver Islet-to-Rossport trip into a Silver Islet-to-Silver Islet-to-KOA campground comedy from the dark side. Strong southerly winds blowing several days in a row stirred up big waves along Superior's exposed, remote north shore. For two days our group, composed of paddlers of varying levels of experience, challenged the conditions. Eventually, we decided discretion was the better part of valor and we downgraded our plans, settling on a plan to paddle in the more sheltered Thunder Bay/Pie Island area. Unfortunately, our luck didn't turn there. We encountered hostile locals at our long-used launch site, along with unusually ferocious bugs and extreme heat. Eventually we all came to accept that paddling was not in the cards for us on that trip. Fortunately, we hardy members of that ill-fated cruise never lost our collective sense of humor.(We are confident that we set a new world-record for the ratio of miles driven to miles paddled on a kayaking trip.) After throwing in the towel, we retreated to some comfy bar stools in Duluth where we schemed over future endeavors.
The deaths of three sea kayakers on Lake Superior and Lake Michigan in September highlight the risks of underestimating these inland seas. A detailed report of these accidents is included later in the newsletter, but suffice it to say the victims each overestimated their ability to handle what the big lakes threw at them. Sometimes the most important paddling skill, even more important than having the right equipment and knowing how to use it, is to know when not to paddle at all. Keeping your plans flexible and maintaining a sense of humor, even when your long-planned trip goes down the tubes at the whim of the Greatest Lake is the key to a long life of paddling.
As always, I welcome feedback, articles, and anything else related to sea kayaking or the outdoors. Don't hesitate to call me at (612) 823-1272 or e-mail me at brock.hunter@justice.com with any ideas, questions, or concerns.
The first incident occurred September 14 on Lake Michigan, near Waugoshance Point and the Straits of Mackinac. Jim Heil, a 40 year old news editor and, reportedly, experienced kayaker, paddled with a friend (also an experienced paddler) to an abandoned light house approximately one mile offshore. While paddling around the lighthouse in 2-foot waves Heil capsized and did a wet exit into the 67-degree water. Apparently, neither Heil nor his partner had a hand pump to empty the swamped boat. They attempted to empty the cockpit using a T-Rescue but were unable to accomplish the maneuver in the increasingly rough conditions. Heil, who was not wearing a wet suit or any other immersion protection, quickly tired from the rescue attempts and lost his ability to continue. The men decided to abandon Heil's swamped boat,<> and his friend attempted to tow Heil to shore with a rope. After paddling for some time into what had grown to 4-foot waves, they had made no progress toward shore. Heil next tried lying on his back with arms and legs wrapped around the bow of his friend's boat. This worked somewhat better, but Heil eventually lost the strength to even hold onto the boat. His friend was forced to leave him floating offshore to paddle for help. A massive search was unable to find Heil until his body was discovered floating along shore the next morning.
The second incident, occurred on September 21 on Lake Superior, right in our proverbial backyard. Todd Nelson and Cass Mohler, both known as strong paddlers from Lutsen, Minnesota, paddled a double kayak out of the protected harbor at Grand Marais into 30-knot winds and 7-10 foot conditions. No one witnessed their capsize, but it apparently occurred just a couple hundred yards off shore. Inexplicably neither man was wearing a wet suit or other immersion protection and, no doubt, the 40-degree water quickly robbed them of their ability to get back into their boat or even swim to shore. Someone on shore eventually noticed Mohler waving for help about 150 yards off of Artist's Point. Rescue efforts began at once, but were hampered by the severe conditions. A local fisherman was eventually able to pull Mohler from the water and he was quickly airlifted to Duluth, suffering from acute hypothermia. Unfortunately, he died that night, despite every effort to save him. The search for Nelson went on through the night and his body was finally discovered the next morning floating approximately two miles off shore.
Any loss of lives is a tragedy. That tragedy is compounded in each of these incidents by the fact the victims went paddling without basic kayak safety equipment which could (and probably would) have saved their lives. At least one party lacked a basic hand pump, which could have allowed them to easily empty their swamped boat in the relatively benign (2-3 foot) conditions. More significantly, all three men chose to paddle without wet suits or dry suits. Predictably, the cold water quickly incapacitated them, making rescue attempts and even a 200 yard swim to shore impossible.
All three of these paddlers were experienced enough to know the danger of the cold water, but were probably lulled into a sense of over-confidence in their experience and abilities. Certainly, none of them expected a day paddle to turn deadly. Food for thought.
ATTN: SKOAC SKUBA Divers:
Wanna do a fresh water dive and a salt-water shark dive in one day
with no airfare or hotel stay involved?
ATTN: SKOAC Non-Divers:
Wanna see Chris, Bill, Brock and Sarah attacked by wild walleyes,
nibbling northerns, or ferocious sharks?
Join us at Underwater Adventures, the aquarium, at the Mall of America. Dates: TBA. Days/Times: Wed 5-9 PM or Sun 1-5 PM. Please note only 4 divers are allowed per session. We will schedule more than one session if there is enough interest. We will meet for dinner afterwards.
DIVERS:
Each session includes aquarium orientation and dive safety,
a "Top of the Tanks" tour and SCUBA diving in
Fisherman's Hollow and SHARK COVE. Participants will also
enjoy refreshments, light snack and a souvenir T-shirt at the end of the dive.
Divers also receive one free non-diver guest pass. Cost $175 plus tax.
Underwater Adventures will provide tanks, weights, and weight belts.
Participants are required to bring BC, regulator, mask, wetsuit, booties
and fins. Must be 18 years of age to participate. SCUBA certification
card and picture identification required.
Rental equipment is available at local SCUBA shops.
Smith Diving
7500 University AVE NE
Minneapolis, MN 55432
(763)574-1280
SCUBA Center (MPLS)
5015 Penn Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55419
(612) 925-4818
SCUBA Center (Eagan)
1571 Century Point
Eagan, MN 55121
(651) 681-8434
If it has been a year or more since your last dive, you are encouraged to take a refresher/review course. NAUI refresher at Smith Diving is $49. PADI refresher at SCUBA Center is $49.
If you own your gear, be sure your regulator has been serviced within the last year and have your tanks visually inspected too! (And Bill, your tanks need hydro testing ;-)
NON-DIVERS:
If you are not a diver's guest, but wish to observe the festivities ticket
prices follow:
Adults (18-61) $13.95
Teens & College students with ID $11.95
Kids(3-12) $7.95
Tiny Kids (2 & under) FREE
Seniors (62+) $2 off full-priced admission
Contact Chris at sealyn@yahoo.com for more information and scheduling.
NOTICE:This event is ONLY scheduled through SKOAC. The dive operators are Underwater Adventure.
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October 5 & 6 |
Fall Color Cruise:
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SKOAC
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Mississippi River Cruise:
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SKOAC
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Monticello to Ostego Park on the Mississippi:
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TBA |
SKOAC SKUBA DIVERS
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Nov 1, 2 & 3 |
Midwest Traditional Winter Camping Symposium III:
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SKOAC
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Devil's Island Halloween Nightmare Paddle:
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November 17 |
Pool Session:
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December 1 |
Pool Session:
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January 12 |
Pool Session:
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| February 9 |
Pool Session:
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March 9 |
Pool Session:
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