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Scary stuff. Thoughts and prayers.

Prayers sent.

Prayers sent...

Let's hope he is found

My prayers offered...............here is hoping he had on his pfd!

Mythman wrote:My prayers offered...............here is hoping he had on his pfd!

X2!!! Heard was not wearing PFD and was new to west bay. I never get in my yak without my PFD on.

Very sad. Newbs can get in trouble quickly and very easily find themselves in a dangerous situation. 50 deg water with rough conditions and little experience is not a good combination. I was on the bay Thursday it was 37 deg with a north wind blowing there wasn't another boat or kayak out there to help you if you got in trouble

I cast no aspersions towards anyone. Yet, I feel that we, as a group, have an, as yet, unfinished job in front of us.

It seems to me that we have been sorely remiss in getting the kayak safety 'message' across to the exponentially growing number of new kayakers. Kayaking is the most fun thing that has come down the recreation highway in many years, but is also one of the most potentially dangerous water sports that exists.

The two kayakers written about in the article were obviously inexperienced and UNEDUCATED newcomers to the sport. One was evidently not wearing a life jacket and, might end up having paid for that with his life. Both youngsters got separated from their craft when the yaks dumped them. Neither seems to have had any respect for the bay waters or the weather conditions. It would be a safe bet to assume that neither knew how to re enter their boats.

Amongst the thousands of members of TKF I am certain that there are those among us who can come up with a practical, easily executed, free, program to make sure that everyone who enters the wonderful world of Kayaking is presented with proper safety rules.

There have been far too many kayaking mis adventures already. We must assume, that due to the growing popularity of yakking, that more will be coming.........,unless action is taken to help prevent them.

I agree with all the comments....Prayers going up for sure....And....I am a "newb"....And....I appreciate all of the great information that you all post on TKF....Have yet to wet a hook in my new Outback but am way down the learning curve because of you folks....THANKS!!

Winter, with cold water, really puts anyone on a pretty short clock to get rescued or self rescue. They went out in a pair, but maybe didn't account for the panic that can happen from sudden immersion in cold water. Then you have less traffic out there to rescue people in distress. I think anyone going out anytime, but especially in cold water times, needs to be able to answer what if questions like what would I do if I turtled and be aware of the debilitating effects of hypothermia. It's sad and horrible what happened. Remember, the fish aren't going anywhere. If you aren't up to open water fishing from a kayak in the winter there is no shame in delaying your trip until everything warms up.

Wasn't there 20-25mph winds that day? I've seen relatively fit men get in trouble trying to head back with an oncoming 15mph wind. People really should keep the training wheels on longer.

JesseCJC wrote:Wasn't there 20-25mph winds that day? I've seen relatively fit men get in trouble trying to head back with an oncoming 15mph wind. People really should keep the training wheels on longer.

Little tiny plastic boat+cold water+uncertain winds and forecasts+inexperience=potential devastating consequences. Maybe we need a safety thread on this board and encourage everyone to become educated on dangers and safety issues.

Prayers sent.

I am just now exploring the possibility of getting a yak. I am an avid inshore fisherman but no longer have a boat. And I have long acknowledged the benefit of shallow water fishing from a yak. But, it scares the crap outta me. If a kayak dealer, or anyone, offered safety training, hands on, or whatever, I would be right there. My plans will be to always wear PFD, only go in good weather, go with a companion, carry good safety and communication gear, and maintain safe distance to shore. I'm sure there are other things that I will need to know but I have time to figure them out.

Sucks, we have had our fair share so far this year in CC. Prayers sent.

Sorry to hear. Prayers sent to his family. News story said that he was "last seen wearing a full blue rain suit". I have never seen a missing kayaker story that states "last seen wearing a PFD". Food for thought.

Kayak Kid wrote: Amongst the thousands of members of TKF I am certain that there are those among us who can come up with a practical, easily executed, free, program to make sure that everyone who enters the wonderful world of Kayaking is presented with proper safety rules.

There have been far too many kayaking mis adventures already. We must assume, that due to the growing popularity of yakking, that more will be coming.........,unless action is taken to help prevent them.

I cant quite do I free, but I try to get as close as I can. Insurance requires a small fee when you intentionally dump folks in deep water and teach reentry.

Every year I offer an ACA safety and paddling technique class sponsored (subsidized) by TKF and others.
If you are reading this and are new.... or know someone who is, let them know the sign up will be posted soon here on the saltwater board.
(They usually sell out, so please keep an eye out for the Sticky.)

Still no news on the kayaker and rarely is that a good sign.

Can't stress the safety aspect enough. The positive is he was there with a partner which is good. But the day of cold and wind combined with no Pfd make for a bad set of odds up against him.

Prayers sent.

Don't know the guy, but I came across his wifes Facebook account this morning. Still no sign. Family is out looking...

My first kayak experience was in a rental sit inside at Lady Bird Austin. I was scare as hell because I'm a heavy weight and was thinking how in HELL am I going to get back inside this kayak if I flip here. Thank God I did ok and enjoyed it very much.

The first thing that I did before buying a kayak was to take an ACA Certified training that took one hour plus video to get familiar with the kayak, paddling, and recovery techniques. Then on the water paddle for a total of 3-4hrs of training.

Still, they gave me another sit inside. I knew about the disadvantage, but was more confident this time of what to do.

Long story short I have enjoyed kayaking for over 4 years now and have even gone 13+ miles offshore now on my Hobie Pro Angler 14.

Have a TON of respect and plan carefully where I'm going and when. Knowing the physical limits not only of myself, but also the kayak that I'm using.

Don't know the conditions of that particular day, but if like they were talking, it was 20+ mph winds it was not the day to be in the open bay but looking for protected areas like marsh or coves.

I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt this will end well.

Prayer sent that they find this fellow yakker.

Here is the info about the ACA Certified place that I used in Seabrook. I think it was around $75-80 dollars, but they sometimes have some special, so you might get it cheaper.

All Points of Sail Sailing School
832-600-3105
http://www.allpointssailing.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
galvbaysailing@aol.com

2517 Nasa Pkwy.
Suite 7
Seabrook, TX 77586

Really sad story indeed.
I had a similar experience but with a PFD, when you hit that cold water your sences go numb and panic sets in. If you dont snap out of it and fight for your life things can turn really bad.

I only wonder if grabbing to his kayak even if it is upside down would have increased his chances in terms of being seen and at least keeping his head out of the water!!!

Definitely feel you Kingz, same here especially offshore.

Kingz wrote:Speaking only for myself, I often feel somewhat guilty when things like this happen...We promote the sport, post pics, and opinions...Sometimes making it look easy...Its not...

I would encourage all to preach safety above all else to the newcomers, or to those that are so enthusiastic may have tendency to not yield to the obvious...

Absolute tragedy, prayers sent...G

My thoughts exactly.

I heard on the radio this morning that they have called off the search.