kayakers swamped ! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

stairman · 12-22-2009, 10:15 AM

Surf-swamped kayak fishermen rescued

By Debbi Baker, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 9:40 a.m.

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SAN DIEGO — Two capsized kayakers had to be rescued by lifeguards from the cold, choppy waters off the coast of La Jolla early Tuesday morning.
The men left to go fishing for yellow tail about 5:30 a.m. from the boat launch at La Jolla Shores and were near the kelp beds about one mile offshore when they ran into trouble, San Diego lifeguard Lt. Nick Lerma said.
“They were overcome by breaking swells,” Lerma said.
There was a group of 12 to 15 kayakers in the area at the time and some of them tried to help they had a difficult time due to the conditions which included white caps, four to five foot swells and strong westerly winds blowing at 20 to 25 knots, Lerma said. Some lost their paddles and at least one of the capsized kayaks was blown away.
The winds pushed the kayaks toward the shore and when they were about 400 yards out when a lifeguard paddled out to meet them. He brought one man ashore and then paddled out again for the second. Lerma said.
The service was alerted to the emergency by a mayday call. Lerma said.
The first man, said to be 52-years-old, was taken to a hospital to be treated for hypothermia, Lerma said. The second was checked out and released by paramedics.
The rest of the kayakers returned to the beach, Lerma said. Lifeguards, assisted by the Coast Guard, searched the area for about an hour and a half to make sure all were accounted for.
The National Weather Service has issued a small crafts advisory for the coastal waters from San Mateo Point to the Mexico border that will remain in effect until 2 a.m. Wednesday. Mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, are advised to stay out of the water.
“It’s not a good day to go fishing,” Lerma said

Freespool · 12-22-2009, 10:26 AM

Yikes, glad I opted out. I think I saw those guys. I was there about 5:20; thought it was a no go after seeing the palm trees in front of the house doing the limbo but just wanted to see what it looked like since I was up. I stood around for about 5 minutes looking at the conditions in the dark. The wind was enough to make my decision pretty quick. I was VERY surprised to see about 5 guys all just paddle off into the darkness in those conditions but thought they must be much more experienced dudes than I am.

I talked to 2 other younger guys with their stuff ready to go who were about to pack it up as well. If you frequent this site, glad you guys made the right call. Not a good day to test the ocean.

Quilted Germ · 12-22-2009, 10:42 AM

Yellow Tail Fever........I heard it will make you do crazy things...

DENNYh · 12-22-2009, 11:03 AM

tomorrow doesnt look so bad, might want to check it out

peguinpower · 12-22-2009, 12:33 PM

I am thinking about tomorrow too. But winds like these almost never go away in one day

Waiting,

/bing

blackcloud9 · 12-22-2009, 02:12 PM

I honestly cannot believe anyone would even try to launch today - enough
rescues and the lifeguards will have to start monitoring conditions to allow
kayak launches at the ramp ...

>>>
"tomorrow doesnt look so bad, might want to check it out"
"I am thinking about tomorrow too. But winds like these almost
never go away in one day"
>>>

To me tomorrow looks REALLY bad.

The winds will be mellow on Wednesday but with the remnant huge short
period waves at six to seven feet, the launch will be much much much
worse (dare I say, "IMPOSSIBLE") on Wednesday.

The windswell was only four feet this morning, but it has ramped to
TEN FEET now at the TPO buoy.

Thursday is looking possible however, light winds and smaller swell in the
forecast. We'll see.

Be safe out there, I hate to read about kayakers in the news.

emrliquidlife · 12-22-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackcloud9

I honestly cannot believe anyone would even try to launch today .....

>>> "I am thinking about tomorrow too. But winds like these almost
never go away in one day"

The winds will be mellow on Wednesday but with the remnant huge short
period waves at six to seven feet, the launch will be much much much
worse (dare I say, "IMPOSSIBLE") on Wednesday.

The windswell was only four feet this morning, but it has ramped to
TEN FEET now at the TPO buoy.

Thursday is looking possible however, light winds and smaller swell in the
forecast.

Be safe out there, I hate to read about kayakers in the news.

I don't know if I'm thinking stupidly....My window of opportunity is pretty small for this, so i'm going to try for tomorrow. Worst case, the waves are too big, and I go fish Mission Bay....

Got a link for where i can get the wave height info?

blackcloud9 · 12-22-2009, 02:33 PM

Here is a link to my Shores kayaking conditions page, which contains a
bunch of good links related to La Jolla Shores area, along
with experienced commentary:

http://larryl.com/favorite_kayak_conditions.htm

I posted this link along with a wind/conditions warning last night.

Hope this helps.

habanero · 12-22-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackcloud9

Here is a link to my Shores kayaking conditions page, which contains a
bunch of good links related to La Jolla Shores area, along
with experienced commentary:

Thanks Larry. I have my own scattered sources to check but his is a great all in one place to check if your launching LJ.

Tman · 12-22-2009, 08:50 PM

Wow...to those that paddled out today, I will say the same thing to you that I would say to Tiger Woods...

Ain't no tail worth all that $hit...

Glad to hear those that dared to defy made it in.

Fiskadoro · 12-22-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackcloud9

Here is a link to my Shores kayaking conditions page, which contains a
bunch of good links related to La Jolla Shores area, along
with experienced commentary:

http://larryl.com/favorite_kayak_conditions.htm

Thanks Larry...

This is the site I use for planning my La Jolla trips.

http://magicseaweed.com/Scripps-Pier...dLongRange/us/

Friday looks good!!

Jim

cjthomas · 12-23-2009, 09:27 AM

Thanks Larry for the links, already bookmarked on my work comp....

stairman · 12-23-2009, 01:54 PM

all embarrassment aside this can be a learning exp for those not involved.
Just wind and swell? equipment failure?
come on fess up and tell us what happened so someone doesn't make the same mistake.....I promise not to give you any additional hell.

can't speak for anyone else.If you were brave enough to go spill your guts!

dorado50 · 12-23-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stairman

all embarrassment aside this can be a learning exp for those not involved.
Just wind and swell? equipment failure?
come on fess up and tell us what happened so someone doesn't make the same mistake.....I promise not to give you any additional hell.

can't speak for anyone else.If you were brave enough to go spill your guts!

I'm sure you are but 16 or 17 yrs. old by how you are asking these questions.(and thats ok). Just follow the post and that should tell you what happened and hopefully the conditions that day won't ever come into play for you. Spill your guts about what? No need to chastise these guys,hopefully their experience(second hand ie. the news report) and your familiarity of the sea you can come to a sense of how this event transpired.

CurtyL · 12-23-2009, 05:10 PM

water got in their yaks and they sank.

the dude · 12-23-2009, 08:10 PM

it can happen scary fast...you flip, one of your hatches opens and your kayak will fill with water in about 1/2 second. I had that happen on my WS Tarpon 160 coming through the surf once. The front hatch comes off too easy IMO. I added a few bungees to keep it from re-occurring. Glad they are OK.

stairman · 12-24-2009, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorado50

I'm sure you are but 16 or 17 yrs. old by how you are asking these questions.(and thats ok). Just follow the post and that should tell you what happened and hopefully the conditions that day won't ever come into play for you. Spill your guts about what? No need to chastise these guys,hopefully their experience(second hand ie. the news report) and your familiarity of the sea you can come to a sense of how this event transpired.

nope I'm an old fart like you dorado

I just look 18!
Just trying to get the info out there so no one else makes the same mistake and we end up have a bunch of r.i.p. and prayers on this board.
I fished lj for the first time in 71 and have spent at least 2000 days on the water since,not trying to stir up trouble quite the opposite.Just a month ago while fishing the after thanks giving halibut tournament we came close to losing some people at the mission bay channel entrance in a boat some what bigger then a kayak.
I have pushed my luck before and it was for the same reason ...not knowing or checking the weather conditions,so I'm a guilty as the next guy.
If there was equipment failure in tough conditions and it is because of the way a kayak is designed or modified please let everyone know so they can avoid the mistake.A thirty pound tail or croaker is not worth dying over ( well maybe the croaker).

dorado50 · 12-24-2009, 12:33 PM

One is pressing their "luck" (as u say) the moment you come in contact,either on or below, with the sea. Education and on the water experience does a great deal to help one in case of such emergencies. With 2000 days at sea you should be able to at least offer up a class to help others avoid that same event, I'll be the first to sign up!

Matt · 12-24-2009, 01:35 PM

I wasn't involved but have heard some of the events thatbwent down!

The gentleman who went to the hospital started having some healthnproblems which then turned into some kayak issues and he flipped and lost his boat. A different Matt than I was with the two other gentleman and immediately used his VHF and sent a mayday call! All involved weremwearing real life jackets and they were all on tight! It is very fortunate that we didn't lose anyone!

Always, always, always carry your VHF within reach and always watch out for those around you! The Matt in this story is quite an accomplished waterman and knows his shit, I'm guessing it was a case of YT fever! It is easy to sitback and second guess as hindsight is 20 20 always.

According to the firsthand accounts that inhave heard the swell was up but not unmakeable although several guys flipped launching, the wind was blowing but not as bad as it ultimately got up to 40 mph gusts out there. I think the important part of this is we are very fortunate that we didn't lose anymof our brothers in arms! And that proper safety equipment is an absolute must! Even if you store it in the boat for the just in case moment and you need to don it, at least you have it with you.

Also always check the forecast and use common sense as to how far your skills as a waterman will enable you to deal with the conditions! And listen to what the voice in your head is telling you!

dorado50 · 12-24-2009, 01:58 PM

Thats the thing you never know what to expect at any given time. These guys must of done alot of things right to have made it back safely. I was down at the launch at exactly 5am and watched two to three yaks go out through the surf. The wind was big and it was coming hard from the west off the surface. I went home with no second thoughts of fishing that day......

12-22-2009, 10:15 AM	#1
stairman Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 84	kayakers swamped ! Surf-swamped kayak fishermen rescued By Debbi Baker, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 9:40 a.m. Satellite: Image Radar: Image Weather forecast NWS rainfall totals Traffic update Robert Krier's Weather Watch SAN DIEGO — Two capsized kayakers had to be rescued by lifeguards from the cold, choppy waters off the coast of La Jolla early Tuesday morning. The men left to go fishing for yellow tail about 5:30 a.m. from the boat launch at La Jolla Shores and were near the kelp beds about one mile offshore when they ran into trouble, San Diego lifeguard Lt. Nick Lerma said. “They were overcome by breaking swells,” Lerma said. There was a group of 12 to 15 kayakers in the area at the time and some of them tried to help they had a difficult time due to the conditions which included white caps, four to five foot swells and strong westerly winds blowing at 20 to 25 knots, Lerma said. Some lost their paddles and at least one of the capsized kayaks was blown away. The winds pushed the kayaks toward the shore and when they were about 400 yards out when a lifeguard paddled out to meet them. He brought one man ashore and then paddled out again for the second. Lerma said. The service was alerted to the emergency by a mayday call. Lerma said. The first man, said to be 52-years-old, was taken to a hospital to be treated for hypothermia, Lerma said. The second was checked out and released by paramedics. The rest of the kayakers returned to the beach, Lerma said. Lifeguards, assisted by the Coast Guard, searched the area for about an hour and a half to make sure all were accounted for. The National Weather Service has issued a small crafts advisory for the coastal waters from San Mateo Point to the Mexico border that will remain in effect until 2 a.m. Wednesday. Mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, are advised to stay out of the water. “It’s not a good day to go fishing,” Lerma said

12-22-2009, 10:42 AM	#3
Quilted Germ Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cardiff, Ca Posts: 185	Yellow Tail Fever........I heard it will make you do crazy things... __________________ Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first. - Ronald Reagan

12-22-2009, 08:50 PM	#10
Tman BRTF...bought & paid... Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,247	Wow...to those that paddled out today, I will say the same thing to you that I would say to Tiger Woods... Ain't no tail worth all that $hit... Glad to hear those that dared to defy made it in. __________________ Adios Tman Gaffer for Clay the Fishcatcher

12-23-2009, 01:54 PM	#13
stairman Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 84	spill your guts all embarrassment aside this can be a learning exp for those not involved. Just wind and swell? equipment failure? come on fess up and tell us what happened so someone doesn't make the same mistake.....I promise not to give you any additional hell. can't speak for anyone else.If you were brave enough to go spill your guts!

12-23-2009, 08:10 PM	#16
the dude Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Valley Center Posts: 271	it can happen scary fast...you flip, one of your hatches opens and your kayak will fill with water in about 1/2 second. I had that happen on my WS Tarpon 160 coming through the surf once. The front hatch comes off too easy IMO. I added a few bungees to keep it from re-occurring. Glad they are OK. __________________ The dude abides.

12-22-2009, 10:26 AM	#2
Freespool Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: La Jolla Posts: 42	Yikes, glad I opted out. I think I saw those guys. I was there about 5:20; thought it was a no go after seeing the palm trees in front of the house doing the limbo but just wanted to see what it looked like since I was up. I stood around for about 5 minutes looking at the conditions in the dark. The wind was enough to make my decision pretty quick. I was VERY surprised to see about 5 guys all just paddle off into the darkness in those conditions but thought they must be much more experienced dudes than I am. I talked to 2 other younger guys with their stuff ready to go who were about to pack it up as well. If you frequent this site, glad you guys made the right call. Not a good day to test the ocean.

12-22-2009, 11:03 AM	#4
DENNYh Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: chulajuana Posts: 81	tomorrow doesnt look so bad, might want to check it out

12-22-2009, 12:33 PM	#5
peguinpower bing! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: socal Posts: 246	I am thinking about tomorrow too. But winds like these almost never go away in one day Waiting, /bing

12-22-2009, 02:12 PM	#6
blackcloud9 Kayaker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Big Rock, WindanSea, La Jolla Posts: 413	I honestly cannot believe anyone would even try to launch today - enough rescues and the lifeguards will have to start monitoring conditions to allow kayak launches at the ramp ... >>> "tomorrow doesnt look so bad, might want to check it out" "I am thinking about tomorrow too. But winds like these almost never go away in one day" *>>>* To me tomorrow looks REALLY bad. The winds will be mellow on Wednesday but with the remnant huge short period waves at six to seven feet, the launch will be much much much worse (dare I say, "IMPOSSIBLE") on Wednesday. The windswell was only four feet this morning, but it has ramped to TEN FEET now at the TPO buoy. Thursday is looking possible however, light winds and smaller swell in the forecast. We'll see. Be safe out there, I hate to read about kayakers in the news.

12-22-2009, 02:33 PM	#8
blackcloud9 Kayaker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Big Rock, WindanSea, La Jolla Posts: 413	Here is a link to my Shores kayaking conditions page, which contains a bunch of good links related to La Jolla Shores area, along with experienced commentary: http://larryl.com/favorite_kayak_conditions.htm I posted this link along with a wind/conditions warning last night. Hope this helps.

12-23-2009, 09:27 AM	#12
cjthomas Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 108	Thanks Larry for the links, already bookmarked on my work comp....

12-23-2009, 05:10 PM	#15
CurtyL Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: wherever the college girlz r Posts: 127	water got in their yaks and they sank.

12-24-2009, 12:33 PM	#18
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	One is pressing their "luck" (as u say) the moment you come in contact,either on or below, with the sea. Education and on the water experience does a great deal to help one in case of such emergencies. With 2000 days at sea you should be able to at least offer up a class to help others avoid that same event, I'll be the first to sign up!

12-24-2009, 01:35 PM	#19
Matt Support your local pangas Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lj Posts: 976	I wasn't involved but have heard some of the events thatbwent down! The gentleman who went to the hospital started having some healthnproblems which then turned into some kayak issues and he flipped and lost his boat. A different Matt than I was with the two other gentleman and immediately used his VHF and sent a mayday call! All involved weremwearing real life jackets and they were all on tight! It is very fortunate that we didn't lose anyone! Always, always, always carry your VHF within reach and always watch out for those around you! The Matt in this story is quite an accomplished waterman and knows his shit, I'm guessing it was a case of YT fever! It is easy to sitback and second guess as hindsight is 20 20 always. According to the firsthand accounts that inhave heard the swell was up but not unmakeable although several guys flipped launching, the wind was blowing but not as bad as it ultimately got up to 40 mph gusts out there. I think the important part of this is we are very fortunate that we didn't lose anymof our brothers in arms! And that proper safety equipment is an absolute must! Even if you store it in the boat for the just in case moment and you need to don it, at least you have it with you. Also always check the forecast and use common sense as to how far your skills as a waterman will enable you to deal with the conditions! And listen to what the voice in your head is telling you! __________________ Thanks Matt F.

12-24-2009, 01:58 PM	#20
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	Thats the thing you never know what to expect at any given time. These guys must of done alot of things right to have made it back safely. I was down at the launch at exactly 5am and watched two to three yaks go out through the surf. The wind was big and it was coming hard from the west off the surface. I went home with no second thoughts of fishing that day......