Tragic death in NZ | OCPaddler.com

Unfortunately, time on the water in survival conditions in order to practice
playing on bumps, is pushing the limits too far.

There is no way that a back-up motor launch could have been following, as is
the case in a Molokai OC event. Molokai may well be "one of the world's most
treacherous stretches of water" but conditions during the OC events are
nothing like winter storms.

#1 Mon, 07/28/2008 - 9:14am

60 - 70 knot winds.... This guy should have used better judgement. I hope the rest of the world don't label one manners as crazies.

Sad story...sounds like this guy was a good waterman. Just gotta understand your limits.

#2 Mon, 07/28/2008 - 10:33am

i feel very sorry fer th' paddler an' his family. but i know exactly what he be thinkin' when he sailed' ou'. 60 t' 70 knots...DOWNWIND!

#3 Mon, 07/28/2008 - 11:29am

Rather than questioning the judgment of this fine waterman and fellow paddler, I think we should focus on what each of us can learn from the situation. I know I have personally found myself in conditions that were bigger than I had anticipated before going out, and I would hazard a guess that most of you on this forum could say the same. Each time we go out on the ocean there is an element of risk. We can reduce that risk by taking safety precautions, but the risk remains.

#4 Mon, 07/28/2008 - 11:38am

Tragic!
Logically my mind tells that theres no way you could safely do that run, but his buddys made it back......although I wonder if they were scared shitless the whole time or were having a ball. Anyways, I'd like to know what sorts of safety precaustions could have been taken for such a run......besides the obvious choice of staying on the beach.

#5 Mon, 07/28/2008 - 12:38pm

Because one dies doing what one loves doesn't mean they should have done anything differently. Who are we to call him otherwise?

Apparently he had no wife/children to leave behind and rescue folks were wise enough not to endager themselves disproportionately.

Sad, yes. Tragic? Absolutely not. I just hope he got some drops of his life before it ended.

#6 Mon, 07/28/2008 - 12:51pm

Rachel:
You sound like the right paddler to go for a Cook Straight downwind run. Sounds like your best time to do it would be in mid winter when the bumps may even be better than those in the Molokai channel.
No need for a chase boat, competitors jump onto out of the box sit-on OC1's and leave the South Island when a deep depression comes along -- then boast about Cook Straight making Molokai look like kids stuff.

#7 Mon, 07/28/2008 - 1:21pm

As for safety equipment he was wearing a leash, a PFD, and had a cell phone. His two buddies both had flares.

#8 Mon, 07/28/2008 - 3:43pm

goodwaka: Just because I don't think it is nice to talk bad about a fellow paddler who died doing what he loved, doesn't mean that I myself have a death wish.

The ocean can take any of us, anytime. My heart goes out to the kiwi paddling community.

Every time there is a big storm on the East Coast of the US, surfers go out to take advantage of the rare opportunity for big waves. People climb mountains and push their bodies to the extreme all the time. People take risks every day. When those risks take a life, it doesn't make the life any less precious. It doesn't give us the right to question their motives or their sanity.

#9 Mon, 07/28/2008 - 3:55pm

it's a sombering story- i'm sure there are people on this forum who knew him... my condolences...

he made the call. it sounds like he was prepared equipment wise, and had experience enough to make the judgement of whether to go out that day or not. whether any preparation is adequate or whether or not YOU would have gone out on that day is irrelevant- it was his decision, and he paid the ultimate price... i don't see why that's any different than surfing a huge day, or diving alone... just because most people won't do it doesn't mean that the people who do are wrong- it's their choice to make.

it doesn't necessarily mean that someone is stupid or unprepared
or has a death wish, although there are plenty of those people for sure.

i've been out when it was blowing almost 40 knots, and that was my limit... for now... can't imagine what 60-70 would be like.

#10 Mon, 07/28/2008 - 4:26pm

Rachel: you are the one that brought this tragic news to forum - at about
the same time that there is talk about a maritime enquiry.

There were fishermen who died a little further east along the coast at about
the same time, and my heart goes out to all of them and their families.

I love the Ocean and have placed my life at risk on it many a time, but
glorifying this death is not what the paddling community needs.

As you say "we can reduce the risk by taking safety precautions" Well!.. if
we are going to imitate Molokai channel paddlers then it should be done
completely, as they do it, with safety precautions like chase craft. The
reality is, that paddlers don't set off on channel crossings when
conditions are too bad for chase boats to venture out, so encouraging or
glorifying what has happened is " talking bad" as far as I'm concerned.

#11 Mon, 07/28/2008 - 4:40pm

Does anybody know how or why it happened? Was it equipment failure? Did he huli? Lose his paddle? Antbody know?

#12 Mon, 07/28/2008 - 5:02pm

waka,

i don't how commenting on a death of a paddler is "encouraging or glorifying what has happened". are you worried that there will be a stampede of people who will read about this and start praying for a hurricane to come along?

you don't think that the fact that he DIED was a precautionary lesson for anyone who's paying attention? maybe that's lesson enough- and maybe someone adding an editorial comment about what "should" happen also isn't "what the paddling community needs".. i think the paddling community can figure it out fine without anyone telling them what's good for them.

btw, just because a race won't be run without certain equipment doesn't mean that is the gold standard of what should or should not be done.. races are organized with liability and regulatory issues involved- someone paddling on their makes their own decision, maybe not good, but their decision still.

#13 Mon, 07/28/2008 - 5:07pm

What happens is that the nanny state gets wheels rolling to regulate
paddling - not a good thing.

Availability of so called big water OC1's meant to handle the "treacherous
conditions of the Molokai channel" are luring paddlers to attempt downwind
runs in local conditions where watermen would be better tempted taking a
board out to play on good waves - if enjoyment was really the object.

If the paddling community now gets to learn from this incident that going
out in survival conditions to find 'bumps' is nothing but a desperate thing
, then I can't help thinking that the loss of life is a very sad thing.

#14 Mon, 07/28/2008 - 5:54pm

Wow what can we learn from this?
James was a great rough water paddler. That is what he did and did well.
Steve Irwin (croc hunter) was also an expert at what he did, and a freak happening also took his life away.

Every now and then we hear of racing car drivers and other sports codes, losing a life even though their skill level was excellent and they had all safety equipment.

I guess we as mere mortals with limit experience still need to keep to the basics when out paddling in rough water.

Get some COACHING!!!! Have skills to match the task.
Know the area and condidtions...and know personal limitations
Plan the paddle
Apply risk management stratergy
Paddle with a buddy... a compitant buddy/coach
check equipment...include, spare paddle, clothing
wear a leash...have access to flares,waterproff mobile
have a spotter on shore if applicable

When in doubt, don't go out

My heart goes out to Jame's partner, and the Rotorua paddling community. The ripples of this sad news have been felt around the world.

#15 Mon, 07/28/2008 - 8:29pm

Out of respect for the man and his family, can we please leave making assumptions and examples of this unfortunate incident out of this public forum and just give your condolences if you wish to.

Thanks

Rambo

#16 Mon, 07/28/2008 - 10:52pm

All it would have taken is a huli such that head contact was made and the best laid preperations are all for nought. I think there are a lot of such guesses we can make, but when the coroners report is published I'll update this thread (or create a new one) with it.

After the initial reactions to the news on Saturday night I was thinking along the lines of 'goodwaka' that the authorities will look at this and decide more regulations will be the answer.

To their credit it sounds like the paddlers were prepared, they were experienced, old enough to make the call, young enough to be fit and strong enough for a long paddle. But perhaps they also overlooked an item missing from 'ocpaddlers' check list above. Are you going out in conditions bad enough that if you get into trouble there will be no helicopters or rescue boats coming to your aid?

I've seen the Tauranga harbour Pilot launch go out in conditions that had me wondering how they transfer the Pilot to and from the ships and what sea-sickness medication they're on. For these guys to say it's too rough to go out gives an idea of how bad the conditions were.

As someone who has the job of instilling some sense of safety into our club members I would rather not have something like this as a case study :-(

#17 Mon, 07/28/2008 - 10:59pm

Sometimes it doesnt matter how many regulations are created, many people will still do things unprepared or unsafely. How many people do you know that dont wear their seatbelts all the time? Or dont wear a bike or motorcyle helmet? The same is true in paddling. I know plenty of very experienced paddlers in Hawaii that go out in trecherous conditions without a leash, extra paddle, cell phone, flotation device, or any type of safety equipment. And some of them have gotten themselves in trouble. Truly its just a matter of time before one of them gets into serious trouble.

It sounds like this paddler was way more prepared than most; he was experienced, he had safety equipment, he was not paddling alone, and most importantly, he understood the risks he was undertaking. I think that is one of the most important things that can be learned here - that people need to know enough to be able to judge the situation - and if they know, and still choose to put themselves at risk, then they made that choice of their own free will.

you also have to recognize that for the most part, in order to truly excel at a sport that involves risks (in this case open ocean paddling), that one has to periodically "push the envelope" and put themselves into conditions that will test them. A very good example of this is the death of world-famous mountain climber Alex Lowe, who died while climbing in 1999. Following his death there was public outcry that he took too many risks, particularly since he left behind a wife and three children. But even his wife defended his choices, and said he was a very logical, careful planner, and that stopping him from climbing dangerous mountains would be removing a big part of what made him who he was inside. He died doing something he loved to do - even knowing that one day it could kill him.

It is of course tragic to this paddler's family and friends to have lost him in this life. But I think it is not right to judge his choice to paddle that day. We each make our own choices for the risks we take - and not having that choice would be one of the biggest losses of freedom.

#18 Tue, 07/29/2008 - 9:52am

My heart and Aloha go out to his family and friends.
Terry
Ocean Paddler TV

#19 Tue, 07/29/2008 - 10:03am

I too support and send Aloha to this honorable waterman and his family and friends.

There needs to be some time and space to reflect and grieve.

Does more discussion about safety benefit all? Yes. Could this be a catalyst for that? Yes.

One thought on Risk-

I believe there is risk in all of the drinking that happens after races and paddlers driving in their cars home. In fact maybe in total more risky than we think

We live in society that is banning swing sets at schools and parks due to liability and risk of injury, but you can drive in your 3000 pound car to the store and buy all the alcohol you want and drive through streets with kids in it drunk. If adults can have all the beer they want, then kids should get swing sets.

#20 Tue, 07/29/2008 - 11:18am

WTF?
Shame on you for bringing alcohol to this discussion. This whole thread is distorted and does not represent the oc community, at least I hope it doesnt.

Keizo, i suggest we remove all responses to this thread and leave it as a post with comments removed.

To family, friends and the oc ohana in Autearoa, know that he died doing what he loved and in the place he loved.

#21 Tue, 07/29/2008 - 1:09pm

you guys both have good points.

lets just send out our condolences to the paddler's family and friends, and ask all of our paddling friends to please take precautions in risky conditions.

KonaJ, you have a good, although perhaps separate point. maybe bring that up in a new post, because it IS a serious concern. often our streets are more risky than our oceans.

#22 Tue, 07/29/2008 - 2:02pm

My prayers are with him and his family.

I cannot believe that so many people are hammering a mans death in a conversation like this. Vry disrespectful in my opinion.

#23 Tue, 07/29/2008 - 9:59pm

Possibly disrespectful, but perhaps a sharing of our feelings about a fellow paddler who didn't come back. And sharing the times we've got back home and looked back on a hoe thinking "that was close, I won't do that again in a hurry".

This is a good as a obituary I've seen:

http://wakaama.co.nz/site/story/1001360/

RIP

#24 Tue, 07/29/2008 - 10:17pm

We are human beings.

When something goes badly, it is very natural for us to want to use our brains and learn from it all.

At this point, I don't think we have enough information to draw any conclusions. That being said, discussion without alleging blame is productive, using the incident as a touchstone can be useful.

Here or elsewhere someone spoke of leashes.

Is there a point when the conditions are so severe that you DON'T want to be fastened to your boat any more than Ahab was fastened to Moby Dick?

~~~~~~~~~~
YankeeHo'okele
"Anyone can steer the ship when the sea is calm" - Syrus Publilius

#25 Wed, 07/30/2008 - 4:24am

I would like to thank all those that left comments on this tragedy - Our prayers go out to family & loved ones in this very hard time - we all love the ocean & paddling that's obvious after reading your comments - Showing Respect & Love is all we are all doing here - Learning from this is also showing respect - looking forward to seeing you all out there hitting the bumps hard - Donna & I would rather be out in extreme weather than crossing the street sometimes - God bless us all

#26 Wed, 07/30/2008 - 9:37am

Well said.

#27 Wed, 07/30/2008 - 7:02pm

http://www.wakaama.co.nz/site/story/1001360/

http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=377...

To everyone who left the comments. All safety gear was taken on this trip and the winds did not pick up until the very end. There were many paddlers out that day throughout nz, 2 got back to tell the story. We were out having the time of our lives. He smiled the whole way down the coastline. It is a huge loss to the paddling community. I do wish he was still with us but i know he left having the best paddle he ever had.

#28 Wed, 07/30/2008 - 8:37pm

I'd say, Yankee, the crazier it is, the more you want to be attached to your boat. W/ out the boat in high winds far from shore, you don't stand much of a chance, and the boat will quickly get away from a leashless rider in 30kts-never mind 60-70.

#29 Thu, 07/31/2008 - 5:40pm

I was once caught in a breaking wave with a surfski. The leash just broke ! And the wave was not so big (1,5m = 5') In big seas you shouldn't count on a leash to save your day... wear a pfd.

#30 Thu, 07/31/2008 - 9:50pm

I don't know if this a design flaw, but it seems that the method of attaching the leash to the outrigger/ski seems to be non-standardized. I've seen leashes attached by STRING to the hull (threaded through a small hole near the foot wells). It seems to me that this a weak point of leashes and that if it were designed like a push-pin connection (much like the way many outriggers iakos are connected to the hull) it would be stronger and less likely to break off the boat.

#31 Fri, 08/01/2008 - 6:58am

What to say….

My good friend got taken from me and us all last weekend and it can only be describe as no less than a tragedy.

James Moore aka Bhutty was his name and he was a man that loved to live and live to the full. I have travelled the world with this man, paddled in some great places, competed in world events, and enjoyed our time as brothers from another mother.

He was a man that made everyone he meet feel special, with his broad smile, uncanny wit and the time he would take to make you feel welcome. To all that he meet his love would brush off.

In his relevantly short life he has accomplished some great feats. He was a man of the water and there wasn’t to many days that he wouldn’t be in it one way or another. He wasn’t chasing glory or a cheap thrill. He was a competent professional waterman who was only doing what he loved to do. We had already ripped up 30km of coastline and like one of the news articles had said “Almost home bro”. If it had happened further down the coast the outcome would have been different. There are and will always be too many unanswered questions. But like the priest at his funeral said. “What has been done is done. What has not been done has not been done. Let it be”.

There are critics out there that will say it was foolish and he was acting irresponsible. The fact of the matter is we live in a fragile world, we are fragile beings, and too many things can take us out far to easily. We can live in fear of that and die not living at all and not accomplishing a thing. Or like my mate Bhutty, choose to live and love and play to the full. Bhutt choose to live that day and it ended his life and it rips me apart. But all games are good until something goes wrong and it did. There are people in this world who are content to live flat lining and others who can see all the abundance this place has to offer. This was my brother

Was what he did dangerous? It killed him.
Was he loving it? You should have seen his smile.
Am I sad he is gone? You should see my tears.
Would he and I do it again? If only I could.

Life is short. Love much.

#32 Fri, 08/01/2008 - 4:59pm

thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings about your friend. i think you were very lucky to have known him, and he very lucky to have known you, and i'm sure you wish you could have shared more time with him in this life. you will always feel him out there with you on the water, as those of us who love the ocean often think of the friends and family we have lost, when we are out in the magical sea. somehow it brings us together again. may you continue to live your life to its fullest, and carry with you your happy memories of Bhutty. aloha, our brother of the sea.

#33 Fri, 08/01/2008 - 5:10pm

Here's to a great waterman! Rest in Peace, brother.

#34 Sat, 08/02/2008 - 6:09am

Brother Bhutty,
Ke Akua Me Ke Aloha

#35 Sat, 08/02/2008 - 8:48am