1 week ago, my life flashed before my eyes

vash · vash's Garage

I was kayak fishing Lake Comanche. Famous winds. Weather said 3 mph winds with 6 mph gust.

NOT! I got caught in 30 mph winds with furious gust of unknown velocity. I was scared chit-less. I got thru the lake narrows but where the channel opened up it was nuts. Huge waves. Thank goodness I was in the correct side of the lake. I turned my GoPro off to not film my death and headed for the nearest beach I almost got seasick.

Man I made it!!! I had to hike 2 miles to my truck and pull my kayak up a hillside to the nearest campsite. It took effort to get out on the water yesterday. I was pretty timid.

Today? I just got my second vaccine dose!!!

stevej37 · 03-30-2021, 10:32 AM

Seasickness is not fun.

LEAKYSEALS951 · 03-30-2021, 10:35 AM

Sorry. Pics or it didn't happen.

Young man, you go right back out there and get some footage.

Vipergrün · 03-30-2021, 10:42 AM

Scary stuff! Been there done that in the local marina. Life jacket, I hope?

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

There is a point in many people's lifes that they are in a life or death situation. I think some just give up, and others like you said not today and fight for all they are worth to survive.

Long ago when we lived in Hawaii and I was a 15 year old invulnerable teenager some older boys that were acquaintances, and friends of friends agreed to take me surfing off of Dillingham Airfield on the far western tip of Oahu. I assumed they would do some teaching. We all jumped on the boards and paddled about a mile out to the "good waves" and I stood up, when a few feet and fell off. My board went all the way to shore. And there was no one around. They all went back towards shore.

I started swimming for my life. It was not like swimming in a pool, it was choppy waves, and lots of waves trying to smash me into the coral reef. I just kept telling myself to keep swimming and fighting.

I crawled up on the beach 100% exhausted and one of the boys walked over and asked where is the board. I told him the absolute truth, I did not give a f*ck. It is the closest I have ever come to dying. I was a 15 year old fit teenager and it took all I could do to swim through the ocean waves.

masraum · 03-30-2021, 10:46 AM

Mother Nature is happy to show you that you can be her beyotch whenever she wants.

Glad you made it out with just a scare!

stevej37 · 03-30-2021, 10:57 AM

Happened to me once. Then the lifeguard shoved a pool skimmer at me and helped me onto the edge of the pool.

Have to look at the funny side of it.

Seahawk · 03-30-2021, 11:01 AM

That is a big lake, Vash.

Pressure variation and wind make waves and water simply doesn't get tired; a 2 to 3 foot wave action will kick anyone's butt, especially with a wind component.

I had a similar incident on the Potomac( my farm is on one of the widest sections) but I was much closer to shore and was only sightseeing. I was a few miles from home, called my wife and was happy to be off the water.

Glad it worked out!

LWJ · 03-30-2021, 11:02 AM

I used to own a sailboat.

Similar experience led my wife to declare she would never sail again.

Sad to sell that boat. Like the wife.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Careful out there! Time to upgrade to a boat?

Captain Ahab Jr · Captain Ahab Jr's Garage

I'm an international death dodging lucky son of a b1tch.....

1st time was a summer walk in the Alps just above Wengen in Switzerland

2nd time was sailing on a Hobie Cat miles out in the Sea of Cortez off Mexico

3rd time was cycling home from work on my bicycle in Maranallo, Italy

4th time was one night at home in my bed in England, didn't see my life end before my eyes as I was asleep

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

I was rolled by a huge Wave at Makaha (western edge of Oahu). I ended up at least 10 feet down and did not know which way was up. The only thing that saved me was my boogie board and leash, which showed me which way was up. I was 24.

Glad you're OK.

Baz · Baz's Garage

I just got back from a trip to Home Depot.

They said traffic wasn't too bad today, being a Tuesday.

NOT! I got caught in a traffic jam and had to reach deep down in my bag of wits to get through it. Luckily I was in my new Volvo and had some tasty tunes and ice cold AC to fall back on.

Phew...........that was a tender footed Bazza that stepped out of his Swedish ride as he arrived home safe and sound.....

rfuerst911sc · 03-30-2021, 12:28 PM

On the water you're foolish if you don't wear a life jacket . Mother nature can change her mind anytime and she can be an angry beotch 😁 .

Seahawk · 03-30-2021, 12:31 PM

I took this from my home office a few minutes ago:

Doesn't look like much but those are two foot rollers, with mixed length between the rollers, and a steady 10 knot breeze, gusts to 15.

Add another 15 knots of winds and, in an open kayak, enjoy!

We get really tired canoeists and kayakers four or five times a year that put in on my beach, exhausted, especially this time of year.

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

On the water you're foolish if you don't wear a life jacket . Mother nature can change her mind anytime and she can be an angry beotch 😁 .

You wouldn't believe how many rafters and tubers I've seen going down the Kern River when it's flowing 1500-2500 CFS with no life jacket.

If you get dumped with a vest you can do the "chaise lounge" and ride it out. Too many times people with no vest put down their feet, get caught and tangled in debris and the water flows over the top of them holding them underwater facing downstream. It's like trying to lift up with a 500-700 lb weight on your back.

They used to post a body count for the year on signs heading up along the river. Haven't seen them in a few years.

crb07 · crb07's Garage

I grew up whitewater kayaking. Have been living on the coast for a long time and have a few flat water kayaks. About 5 years ago I started surf skiing. Great fun. 2-4' waves are no issue for me. No boat to drain if you flip. Still learning to paddle in bigger waves. I feel pretty safe with a life jacket and leash. Cold water looks to be an issue for some of you guys.

Seahawk · 03-30-2021, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crb07

I grew up whitewater kayaking. Have been living on the coast for a long time and have a few flat water kayaks. About 5 years ago I started surf skiing. Great fun. 2-4' waves are no issue for me. No boat to drain if you flip. Still learning to paddle in bigger waves. I feel pretty safe with a life jacket and leash. Cold water looks to be an issue for some of you guys.

Same here. I started kayaking on white water with my Dad very early...Phoenix Slipper, early plastic boats, etc.

I still surf Kayak a bunch...have for 40 plus years all over the States.

That said, what is surf skiing? I'll look it up but I am interested in what attracted you to it.

We are never too old for a new hobby!

flatbutt · 03-30-2021, 12:56 PM

I once got caught in a standing wave on the upper Hudson in my Treska kayak. Thought I was done for. Tumbled a few times before I got spit out.

Today ...4 hours into my 2nd Moderna shot...juuust a wee bit of a headache. Hitting the gatorade hard and chillin' with Jack Ryan movies.

rusnak · 03-30-2021, 01:00 PM

A few times this past October different punks tried to run me over, both on foot and in my Kubota buggy. I'm a vengeful sort, so they ended up with different things in their vehicles and a busted window, door, or noggin as they sped off. People were totally on edge last year. The three shutdowns in Calif had a bad effect on people. One of these days some punk is going to get me and that'll be it.