fear of drowning.

[cyfareddol]

Is there a safety boat present at kayak fishing meets? My wife is worried. I am a bit too!

[johnlegg]

We don't have safety boats at most meets, you'd need to check each time. As for drowning that should not be an issue so long as you wear the right gear and have 2
means of communication with you. I never go out without 2 forms of communication and flares etc, I'm not saying it couldn't happen, people do drown at sea ... just follow the saftey guide and if you do go in and cannot get back on then you'll probably just freeze to death before you drown. Hope that stops your wife worrying.
But on a serious note, that'll be plenty of experienced guys looking out for each other.

I take my wife and kids out with me,
john

[stitch]

If the first meet is anything to go by its a team effort. Everyone looking out for everyone else. As time goes on paddlers are becoming better equiped such as myself i now have a VHF radio this means there will be someone with a radio with in shouting distance if you get into trouble. ;D ;D ;D

John

[martinw]

You wont drown, everyone looks out for each other, don't buy cheap kit, spend a bit more and buy a good quality buoyancy aid ant tie a whistle to it. a good wetsuit will also give you some degree of buoyancy too, if your warm and your floating you'll live ;D

[yakityyakuk]

Hi Cyf.

Hope no one minds me offering two penneth here.

As well as getting some great help from the guys here, you and your wife would do well to have a good read of the information and tips offered on this link below.


www.sit-on-topkayaking.com/Articles/Instruction/Index.html

As the guys have said, with the propper kit, and drills practiced, you should be fine.

Hope the link is interesting and helps you both to understand a little better.

YY

[The Image ™]

Hi cyfareddol. Do you own a kayak or are you coming along to try one of ours?

[cyfareddol]

Thanks for all replies. Ive been a boatbulder and user for many years, sailed and paddled lakes and sea. Was a diver, so quite competent in and on water. Had a curragh for a while but was shipwrecked near Cape Wrath. But going to sea in a kayak sounds different and I'm not a young man now! It sounds as if the participants are looking out for each other and I'm reassured. I'm having difficulty with the idea of a plastic boat though. I'll probably build a suitable sit in from wood. Thanks again.

[The Image ™]

Come along on 4th Feb and try it.