The "Goss" is, this years Surf Ski Molokai Solo will not require individual support boats. The race organizer is reported to be supplying one escort boat per 5-7 contestants. There is a requirement to carry additional safety equipment. and for all paddlers to pass a half way check point.
I wonder whether this will increase the race numbers?
Some more info on www.surfski.info
Cheers Rambo
Submitted by Rambo on Wed, 03/18/2009 - 10:55pm
Thanks Fuze, for you're a true freezing cold water paddler, which us warm water paddlers have no idea what it's like to paddle in. So my question is: when I huli in very cold water, do I still have time to right the canoe and re-mount normally (as in warm water) before my body stops working? Most of the time, I huli ama ovah, so I got to swim under the canoe to the other side for pull the iako and ama over. I'm just worried that by re-submerging myself I going freeze or accelerate hypothermia? Please tell us what you do?
#71 Fri, 03/27/2009 - 7:56am
PooPoo Paddler,
I too was having trouble deciding which way to go, but I am finding that if I go or do the exact opposite of what FuzeRider proposes I am usually golden.
I am thinking of asking him for career and training advice too-and then doing the opposite and I will be set.
But I am slow "people" from the island so he might just trick me.
#72 Fri, 03/27/2009 - 12:40pm
I'm going to pee in my short !
#73 Fri, 03/27/2009 - 1:23pm
Why we bother to address the utter ridiculousness of Fuzerider, I don't know. But for the safety of the others here, I hope those who can contribute continue to.
It's not a choice, one or the other. you should have a leash and a PFD. I know PFD's are uncomfortable and far from ideal to race with, so maybe one day someone will come up with a solution. Perhaps a flat vest system that desn't obstruct technique or range of motion and and quickly inflate, like an airplane vest? Even something as simple as having a PFD tethered/strapped to your waist, so, should you need it, it can be easily slipped on. It can trail on your deck behind your seat, but be attached to you in case you don't have fuzerider's superleash and are seperated from your boat. It can be quick buckled in the front of your waist for an easy disconnect also, should you need to.
Remember, all a leash does is keep you tethered to your boat. If your boat fails and somehow breaks off at your leash, now what?
VHF is good, it might be good to have. I'd stick with the EPIRB, by far.
Don't be as dumb to rely on your cellphone, Fuzerider should be liable in court for some of the ludicrous ideas he has. I have a Casio G'zOne, the waterproof cellphone, and it's awesome. If you're doing a shoreline run and the coast looks great and you take a pic to send to your friend from the water, small downwind run with some bumps, that's one thing. But in the middle of the channel? How far out will your cell phone have reception? Mid-Kaiwi? And I can tell you from experience that while a cellphone may work okay while you're sitting up on your OC1, reception goes out the window when you're in the water, and that is without barely any swell action.
I guess you could tread water, dial 911, hold the phone as high out of the water as you can, and yell out where you are.
#74 Fri, 03/27/2009 - 1:40pm
To answer your question, koacanoe, it's a little harder to get back on after a huli in cold water because a) plenty times the air gets shoved right out of your lungs when you hit it and b) You often have several more pounds of gear on. My full-on cold water set up weighs about ten-15 lbs when wet. You still have plenty time to remount before hypothermia sets in, and once you're drenched, it's good to get back to the warm car ASAP. Hopefully, you'll never be forced to experience it, my friend! Like Fuze says, the cold is a whole seperate obstacle (enemy?) to address, and the danger it presents is a big concern up here. I"m in Seattle, though, which is like Kailua compared to where Fuzey paddles. For all the Fuze-bashers (myself included), he might lip hard sometimes, but the guy is an accomplished paddler. He's over 50, and he was only a few minutes behind Jr. in the 20 mile Blackburn Challenge a few years back. No slouch!
#75 Fri, 03/27/2009 - 3:05pm
Sorry Jim, gonna disagree, Fuzerider is a dangerous commentator. Accomplished in some disciplines does not make you an expert in all. In fact, often it will give you a false sense of understanding. All it takes is one new paddler reading this site for the first time, taking what he says at face value, not knowing how ass backwards his comments are, and getting hurt.
OBVIOUSLY a leash is already in place. That's known by everyone here. And he says PFD's are a lousy idea, disagreeing with your comment that they are a good idea.
This thread is about the EPIC MoloSolo, not paddling in cold water. He can create a thread telling everyone his wonderful ideas for that if he wants to.
I have family in New Hampshire and go there twice a year. Yes, the water is extremely cold, so you can bet I would definitely have a PFD if I ever paddled there.
#76 Fri, 03/27/2009 - 3:37pm
go fuzz, a few minutes.
In the cold the life jacket helps to keep you worm. paddling in bunches helps , like fuzz said. stay close to shore. It might be totally useless but I like a cell just in case. they have cool waterproof bags for them at outdoor stores.
#77 Fri, 03/27/2009 - 3:42pm
Format has been changed back to how it used to be... Individual escorts ARE required.
http://www.surfski.info/content/view/982/147/
http://www.molokaiworldchampionships.org/
#78 Mon, 04/20/2009 - 12:55pm
yup
#79 Wed, 05/06/2009 - 11:09am