Doug Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Seabrook / Hampton skills session 5/24We had some "NASTY" weather last night. Intermittent rain, moderate wind, serious thunderheads, lightening, strong currents. Waves were 4-7 feet. Adrenaline level....10. Stupidity level.....10.Our excitement to get into the big surf on the years first skill session blinded our ability to make rational decisions. Yes, we looked at the radar before we launched to see what was headed in our direction. We convinced each other that the storms would pass north and south of us even though looking up at the sky we knew we were in for an interesting surf session. Paddling skills were with us but thinking skills were not! We agreed to go ashore if there were impending threats but never followed through with that plan. It takes a lot to shake up this paddler, but I recall saying to myself a dozen times and to Bill paddling beside me four or five times that we would be lucky to get through this. Two others of our foursome headed back 15 minutes earlier.... the only wise decision all night. We waited too long. The only one that didn't mind was the seal that followed us back up river. The current and wind was coming at us as 6 foot swells pushed us in. I wonder what the seal was thinking? We took shelter under the Hampton, Seabrook bridge for a half hour as the lightening cracked around us. The setting sun finally peaked out beneath the clouds over the Nuclear Power Plant. I will know better next time as I'm glad there will be a next time.......The first 2 pics were taken minutes after we launched.The third was before it really got bad.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brambor Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 I did think about going but I am glad I did not go. Seabrook / Hampton skills session 5/24 We had some "NASTY" weather last night. Intermittent rain, moderate wind, serious thunderheads, lightening, strong currents. Waves were 4-7 feet. Adrenaline level....10. Stupidity level.....10. Our excitement to get into the big surf on the years first skill session blinded our ability to make rational decisions. Yes, we looked at the radar before we launched to see what was headed in our direction. We convinced each other that the storms would pass north and south of us even though looking up at the sky we knew we were in for an interesting surf session. Paddling skills were with us but thinking skills were not! We agreed to go ashore if there were impending threats but never followed through with that plan. It takes a lot to shake up this paddler, but I recall saying to myself a dozen times and to Bill paddling beside me four or five times that we would be lucky to get through this. Two others of our foursome headed back 15 minutes earlier.... the only wise decision all night. We waited too long. The only one that didn't mind was the seal that followed us back down the river. The current and wind was coming at us as 6 foot swells pushed us in. I wonder what the seal was thinking? We took shelter under the Hampton, Seabrook bridge for a half hour as the lightening cracked around us. The setting sun finally peaked out beneath the clouds over the Nuclear Power Plant. I will know better next time as I'm glad there will be a next time....... The first 2 pics were taken minutes after we launched. The third was before it really got bad.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boatbossbsb Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Last night was a blast. Trip back was hairy but my escort reassured me and we made pretty good time on an outgoing tide. Good friends, downpours, huge swells & lively seas, a friendly seal, sunshine, mother nature's awesome show all make it a very memorable night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyson Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Sounds like a blast! ...wish I could have been there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted May 25, 2011 Author Share Posted May 25, 2011 Sounds like a blast! ...wish I could have been there! I must admit, it was fun. I love it when it rains. Lightening, well that's not so fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyson Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Lightening, well that's not so fun.yeah... I really enjoy watching lightning, but I don't like being the highest point in the area while doing it. The bridge was a very good move. Cheers! Ty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick stoehrer Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 if you don't HAVE to go anywhere, why the urgency to launch into t-storms? summer's long enough that you can skip a tuesday don't you think?glad everyone made it back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEL Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 if you don't HAVE to go anywhere, why the urgency to launch into t-storms? A topic for June 5th perhaps? OTOH seems to fall into the realm of an old proverb. "Do not learn from the master, learn as the master learned." Which I suppose should be juxtaposed with something about experience being a dear school. Ed Lawson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gcosloy Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 if you don't HAVE to go anywhere, why the urgency to launch into t-storms? summer's long enough that you can skip a tuesday don't you think? glad everyone made it back. Hey Rick, you may be a BCU 5* but these folks are W&CG's (Wild and Crazy Guys). I'm glad I skipped this one also and it had a lot to do with the surf report-too too tall for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyson Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 "Do not learn from the master, learn as the master learned."I've got to remember that one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick stoehrer Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Hey Rick, you may be a BCU 5* but these folks are W&CG's (Wild and Crazy Guys). I'm glad I skipped this one also and it had a lot to do with the surf report-too too tall for me! oh..okay. you're right, wild & crazy trumps sound judgment any day. certainly it's an insulator against phenomena like lightning. carry on then. and ed, at sea i think the term is "master and commander" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spuglisi Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 oh..okay. you're right, wild & crazy trumps sound judgment any day. certainly it's an insulator against phenomena like lightning. carry on then. and ed, at sea i think the term is "master and commander" Doug..I didn't realize you guys waited under the bridge. Someone (DR Huth maybe) please chime in and correct me if I'm wrong but I think being under the bridge might not have been a good choice with lightning....something about the funnel effect? Was a fun night though....maybe when we grow up we'll make better choices Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted May 25, 2011 Author Share Posted May 25, 2011 Doug..I didn't realize you guys waited under the bridge. Someone (DR Huth maybe) please chime in and correct me if I'm wrong but I think being under the bridge might not have been a good choice with lightning....something about the funnel effect? Was a fun night though....maybe when we grow up we'll make better choices Better choices will be made in the future I assure you, at least by me anyway! I had to laugh as I gazed at Bill dawning a metal "GoPro" camera strapped to the top of his helmet. New nick name.... "The Human Lightening-rod". LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rylevine Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Better choices will be made in the future I assure you, at least by me anyway! I had to laugh as I gazed at Bill dawning a metal "GoPro" camera strapped to the top of his helmet. New nick name.... "The Human Lightening-rod". LOL Doug, Thanks for posting this. There is a tendency to say 'I can always bail if it gets bad', but once on the water it seems that decision is often delayed, or I make for landings that are too far. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancysan Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 So how was last night? Sorry to have missed that one, since it was the perfect late spring evening... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyork Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Doug, .....'I can always bail if it gets bad', but once on the water it seems that decision is often delayed, or I make for landings that are too far. BobYup. I recall an outing with Peter B in Casco Bay. Despite a "weather alert" broadcast on my VHF and Peter's vociferous "GET OFF THE WATER" message, I was more concerned with trying to ring up Pod B that we were running late. Never again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Lightning scares the crap out of me.Nancysan, Last night at Seabrook was very nice; beautiful clear weather and blood-orange sunset, first non-drysuit paddle of the season (drytop and hydroskin shorts for me. ) 3.5 to 4 ft/6 second period messy surf, one more " learning what not to do" episode when two paddlers learned why you don't try a 3 person rafted T- rescue in the surf zone. One swimmer and two rescuers rapidly became three swimmers. As someone said, the ocean is a great teacher. Incoming tide at sunset, fast ride back to the put- in. Refreshing night, followed by a sound sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billfont Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Here is a link to some video of last night... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gcosloy Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Here is a link to some video of last night... http-~~-//www.vimeo.com/24500165 Really neat video Bill. There were a couple of episodes where you are broached to the wave and leaning into it and still went over and then rolled. Was this on purpose? Or was the force too great to successfully brace it out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billfont Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Really neat video Bill. There were a couple of episodes where you are broached to the wave and leaning into it and still went over and then rolled. Was this on purpose? Or was the force too great to successfully brace it out? Hi Gene - Unfortunately it wasn't all that thought out. This is the start of my second season kayaking and I don't have a roll. Everything that might look like a roll was actually a wet exit ( I must have done an ok job of editing ). I don't think the force was that great and if I actually knew what I was doing I'm sure I would have successfully braced out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 Hey Bill, nice video. It's great to get summer nights in Spring. In your video when your bow started to pearl on the wave, I got excited thinking we were going to witness an endo via Hero helmet cam. Perhaps next time. LOL.I'll see you all there next week.Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Hi Gene - Unfortunately it wasn't all that thought out. This is the start of my second season kayaking and I don't have a roll. Everything that might look like a roll was actually a wet exit ( I must have done an ok job of editing ). I don't think the force was that great and if I actually knew what I was doing I'm sure I would have successfully braced out. Awesome video! Very... artsy; all that boiling, moving water. I enjoyed watching it; thanks for posting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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