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Coasteering and Paddling


rylevine

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This activity came up in a conversation with Joe.

Coasteering - Wikipedia

Never heard of it, but intrigued. Apparently a "thing". How about a combined coasteering/paddling trip? Leave boats at distant location, and take a coasteering run to the location and paddle back? Any interest? Thinking about some suitable runs. 

Bob

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I've done it, one hour into a 24 hour adventure race in the Catskills. Spent the next 23 hours trying to navigate with soggy paper maps. (This is a great way to find out just how waterproof your waterproof gear is!)

It's a blast, and probably even more fun on a rocky ocean headland. Count me in for sure!

Also look at SwimRun for ideas (Casco Bay, Boston Harbor, Swedish archepelagos). 

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Yeah, it's a big deal in Pembrokeshire.  It was a possibility one day when I was there, but the rest of the gang wasn't interested...I think that was the day we took whitewater boats and played in the rocks instead, a great choice.  Best with a steep rocky coast with deep water at the rocks.

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Interesting. I have a few places in mind where we could land boats, walk across a peninsula and have a challenging coasteering session around back to the boats. Haul outs along the way would be necessary to warm up. Recent experience suggests that, with a 5mm wetsuit, a haul out would be advised at <30 minute intervals. I would not try with anything less than 5mm, and drysuits would be better. People bailing out from the session would then have just a short walk back. It could be a test of the idea? Bob

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I'd plan the safety for these events around the assumption that some/all of the following will eventually happen:

 - someone will get a disabling leg cramp at the worst possible place in the swim.

 - a swimmer will fall behind or the pod won't quickly notice a swimmer in distress.

 - someone on shore but outside of voice distance will see people in the water and wonder whether to call 911.

 - someone will get knocked down by a wave or dashed against the rocks and get cut up by the barnacles.

 

So the safety plan might involve:

 - a chase/escort kayak alongside the swim pod with a VHF on channel 16, perhaps with a Diver Down or swim flag to make it obvious that the swimmers are OK.

  - a heads-up to the local harbormaster.

 - a very strict buddy system in the water. (SwimRun teammates are permanently connected by a short tether for the entire run/swim event)

 - a few swim buoys or inflated dry bags towed behind the swimmers for immediate floatation if someone needs a break.

 - head-to-toe neoprene for abrasion protection, buoyancy, and warmth. Mandatory helmets? PFDs on or off?

 - extra first aid supplies, especially for treating abrasions, hypothermia, and drysuit punctures.

 - lots of cameras, because the photos will be priceless! Can't wait to do this!

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53 minutes ago, Dan Foster said:

I'd plan the safety for these events around the assumption that some/all of the following will eventually happen:

 - someone will get a disabling leg cramp at the worst possible place in the swim.

 - a swimmer will fall behind or the pod won't quickly notice a swimmer in distress.

 - someone on shore but outside of voice distance will see people in the water and wonder whether to call 911.

 - someone will get knocked down by a wave or dashed against the rocks and get cut up by the barnacles.

 

So the safety plan might involve:

 - a chase/escort kayak alongside the swim pod with a VHF on channel 16, perhaps with a Diver Down or swim flag to make it obvious that the swimmers are OK.

  - a heads-up to the local harbormaster.

 - a very strict buddy system in the water. (SwimRun teammates are permanently connected by a short tether for the entire run/swim event)

 - a few swim buoys or inflated dry bags towed behind the swimmers for immediate floatation if someone needs a break.

 - head-to-toe neoprene for abrasion protection, buoyancy, and warmth. Mandatory helmets? PFDs on or off?

 - extra first aid supplies, especially for treating abrasions, hypothermia, and drysuit punctures.

 - lots of cameras, because the photos will be priceless! Can't wait to do this!

Chase kayak and photos for me!!

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  • 1 month later...

The Bold Coast trail coast system within the Cutler Coast public land  comes to mind as a potential coasteering venue. Also Cross Island nearby, which has a network of trails throughout the island, along with campsites. 
 A Cross Island nautical circumnavigation plus  land bound circumnavigation on island trails  would be possible in one day, which would slake the thirst of the ambitious coasteer! 

Cutler.thumb.jpg.846475565613fa9d8b11eb1a68ce91a5.jpg

  

Edited by PeterB
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