by Harry Weidman
The lake temperature was 59 degrees F, the air 55°, wind was 15-20 knots from the northwest with gusts, waves were running 4-6 feet with a few whitecaps near shore, small craft warnings were in effect.
Four paddlers met at Fair Haven State Park to contemplate the lake conditions before continuing their quest of sea kayaking the entire south shore of Lake Ontario. This was leg six. Frank Cabron, Steve Chopan, Rod Thomson and Harry Weidman scanned the lake’s horizon with binoculars and knew big waves existed in the deeper blue waters farther out. A light brown strip of riled beachfront extended a half mile out, resulting from the past several days of winds and waves. We would proceed with caution and safety foremost in mind. Boats and gear were off-loaded in the quiet safety of Sterling Pond. Two drivers left for Oswego to drop the kayak trailer rig at the take-out, a ramp at the first Oswego Canal lock, and returned within an hour with one car. By 11:30 a.m., we were off on another adventure.
The steady wind and constant waves hit our port beam most of the way and an early boat washing set the realization of what we might be in for. It drove home the fact of how much physical and mental effort would be involved to get back into a capsized boat with an assisted rescue in these wave conditions. This awakening came from one paddler who had previous re-entry training in tame conditions. Beware the paddlers who find themselves in this situation without any prior instructions.
Conditions were such that you couldn’t let your guard down – you had to pay attention to what and who was around you. If paddling too close, a pushing wave might wash you into or over your nearby companion. Stagger your formation to the waves for safety.
Personal anxiety relaxed a bit when Harm explained how useless the air brace was in big waters. An air brace is where you see a big one coming, the likes of which makes you utter an mental or verbal “Oh s…,” and you meet it with your paddle in the air where it does nothing for you. Novice paddlers sometimes freeze in this position momentarily before reacting frantically and often end up going over. Keep your paddle in the water where it can provide a strong pulling and bracing force. You have to apply power through these waves and be aggressive, not timid, with your strokes to remain upright. Once learned and practised, you loosen up a bit, relax and let the boat do its thing with you in control instead of fighting it, stiff and off balanced. The key point: keep the paddle in the water – no air bracing.
A second offshore wet exit left us without enough sea room to get back in the boat before getting swept ashore by surf waves. We figured this was as good a place for lunch as any and ended up staying a bit. We had gone 5 miles, and it seemed slow going. The wind was picking up, and I kept looking over my shoulder at a cloud-line on the horizon. Ungraceful as the beach landing was for some of us, it was pale compared to the new challenge of beach launching into the pushy surf waves. More learning experiences presented themselves as some got trashed in one form or another before convening beyond the breakers to pump out. We continued on, staying close to shore. The wind assisted our speed; the waves were still large but more mellow than nasty.
A third capsize was handled in quick order by the team. We were getting the hang of this by now, learning where to position ourselves, what needed to be done and how. The safety sweep paddler had been positioned to the outside rear so as to see everyone and whistled out to the group when help was needed. This position also afforded a fast means of getting to a swimmer by using the waves behind him to advantage. Our group management and communications were improving. The last surf landing was a rough and tumble affair onto a fast drop off beach, lined with smooth, slippery, moving rocks. A well-earned rest and warm-up was in order.
It was near 6:00 p.m. by the time the trailer shuttle, with weary adventure-seekers stuffed into the jump seats of an extended cab pickup truck, got back to Fair Haven. It had been a full day and a great learning experience with all of us, testing and improving the limits of our abilities in relative safety with a growing group of experienced sea kayakers.