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Dragon Boat Canada


IDBF


Canoe Kayak Canada

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[DBWTim]

We've just received some somber news this afternoon...

I felt it was important that the team know about a tragic and devastating accident which occurred this past Saturday morning (Feb 14). Austin Crisologo was killed in a paddling accident that morning. Bob Leung and Austin Crisologo (who were charter DieselFish team members/founders) were paddling together in an OC2 in Tomales Bay when somehow their boat got overturned. They weren't able to right the boat and were in the cold waters for at least 30 minutes before hikers in the area spotted them and called 911. While both were wearing PFDs, neither was prepared for time spent in cold water. Fortunately Bob is on the way to making a full recovery after being airlifted to Petaluma Valley Hospital.
Arrangements for Austin have not been made at this time but information will follow as we learn of it. Bob's family has asked that his friends please respect his need for privacy as he recovers from this physical
and emotional ordeal.

http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_11712078

Many paddlers from Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto who have paddled in San Francisco will remember Austin as the "really fit paddler with the long hair". We (members of  the Vancouver DB community) extend our sincere condolences to Austin's family and friends and wish Bob a speedy recovery.

[magicpaddler]

Here is a photo of Austin.

[DBWTim]

Thanks magicpaddler, I edited the post so you can view the image rather than clicking through. Hope you don't mind.

[paddleboy]

 This is definately a sad moment for the paddling world and something for all of us to learn from .

 Right now the waters around here are extremely cold and you should be prepared in the event you are paddling solo and end up in the water .It may not feel that cold to you but when you hit the water your body will go into what is known as " Cold Shock" and it hits instantly as you enter the water . It will slow you down and make everything seem heavy and you will find it hard to pull yourself back onto the boat if you huli no matter how fit you may be .I experienced this a couple of years ago when I ended up in the water in near 0 degree weather and I could barely move which scared the crap out of me as I wasn't expecting this .

 Solo paddling ( oc1/2) is becoming alot more popular ,in our waters , with dragonboaters crosstraining so some things to consider now that its cold:


- Know how to recover from a huli !!!! , I know and see alot of you that don't know how to recover.The longer your in the water ,the worse & harder it will be .If you don't have the strength to pull yourself up onto the boat in warm temp's then you are sure not going to be able to do it in the cold and I suggest you hit the gym and stay off the water 
-Dress warm !!!!! ,don't wear gear that will fill with water ie: some of the larger knee high paddling boots .
-Always wear a lifejacket of some type .
- If you don't know how to swim....stay off the water in cold temps !
- If you are out in the bay or rougher water always use a leash !!, if the boat gets away from you in waves then chances of catching up with it in the cold will be slim and you will be left to bob around in your lifejacket and if in the middle of the bay , its a ways to swim to shore and 30 minutes in these waters right now will more than likely kill you .The boat is key to your survival,always try to stay w/ the boat .If you are w/o a lifejacket on or have it strapped to the boat instead of wearing it ,then you will probably drown
-If you are an inexperienced paddler stay within the harbour ,do not go outside into the bay .Stay close to shore in case you have to swim .
- If you are a novice paddler stay off the water after sundown and definately stay off the water if its windy
- Again if you are a novice paddler be aware that the wake from pleasure craft & water taxi's can put you in the water
- Paddle/train w/ a partner
- Don't be stupid ,paddle smart

[Special K]

Wow, Mom would be proud of you Paddleboy  .

Also be a smart paddler by following some of these easy tips:

- don't go out alone but if you do let someone know you're going and what your proposed route is.
- if going out alone paddle close to shore or go into the creek where people can see you.
- wear a whistle, a good idea if you get into trouble or feel you may get into trouble.
- check the daily weather and tide conditions, be prepared.

There have been many tragic events lately where very experienced, fit/athletic people have lost their lives due to unforseen circumstances. Very heartbreaking for all those involved.

Remember, be a smart and prepared paddler.

[LARDCore]

Here's what I wrestle with - especially paddling in Southern California where the water gets "kinda" cold (mid to hi-50s) but the air is not blistering cold (low 40s) maybe.  Not sure if this is potential hypothermia weather.

If I wear even the thinnest neoprene (vest/shortjohn), I will surely overheat if I don't go in the water.  Frankly, I feel OK with a long sleeve shirt and a vest (jacket with no arms) - as long as I don't huli.

BUT, if I huli and stay in the water for extended period of time wearing the shirt and vest combo, I worry about hypothermia (even before Austin's unfortunate passing).

Any suggestions? 

[James Cole]

total tragedy - felt by everyone in the paddling community in general, and definitely here in the Bay Area.

our thoughts go out to Austin's family and team mates.

in terms of cold weather advice and as someone who is an OC paddler first and foremost - to modify some of the prior suggestions (as to paddling outrigger canoes in cold water)...

1 - if you don't know how to swim... don't paddle OC. seriously. it's not just your own life that you'll be risking.
2 - if you're paddling in cold water... wear a leash (no matter how flat you think the water is). currents plus cold can easily put you 6 feet from a boat, and in cold water your odds of covering that 6 feet with a paddle in your hand is near 0. in water like this - you won't have 30 minutes to swim to shore. you'll be in cold shock in 10.
3 - if you are an inexperienced or novice paddler - do NOT paddle OC1 or OC2 this time of year in cold water conditions. not worth it. wait until the summer.
4 - no matter how strong a paddler you are, DO NOT paddle alone. in water temps like this - even 1/4 mile offshore (no matter how fit you are) you're in serious trouble. any sort of boat failure can be catastrophic.
5 - RESPECT the ocean.

[Kaohao]

These guys were not prepared for prolonged immersion, which they should have been expecting on this extremely rough day. Neoprene would have saved this guy's life. As more people want to try down-wind runs on big days, such incidents may become more frequent. I think there's a lot of people coming from the Dragon Boat community who want to get out in the surf, but aren't very experienced watermen. The most important thing when paddling in cold, rough, water is being prepared for a swim, even if immersion gear (wetsuit etc.) isn't the most comfortable for paddling. Bringing a small pair of swim fins isn't a bad idea either. Some people bring fairly extensive survival kits which aren't too bulky. Waterproof cel-phone bag, epirb, signal mirror, extra water, PFD, knife-you can pack alot a stuff w/ you that could save your or someone else's life. And the most important thing, the old surfing adage, when in doubt, don't paddle out. 

[glowing_ice]

Paddleboy is right (sad but true  ) ... USE A LEASH! 

I did the PNWORCA race last weekend and huli'd out on the surfs.  It was probably 3C or less in air temerature and super high winds.  The leash help me recover very quickly, otherwise it would have been bad.  Waves carried my boat away from me but the leash kept me tied down with my OC1.

[brainiac]

I recommend reading this information on cold water exposure: http://www.sportsscientists.com/search/label/cold%20physiology

By the way, the average temperature of the water around Vancouver ranges from 8 (celsius) in the winter to 13 in the summer.