Received: from opus.hpl.hp.com by jr.hpl.hp.com with ESMTP (1.37.109.24/15.5+ECS 3.3+HPL1.1) id AA115168378; Wed, 18 Aug 1999 10:46:19 -0700 Return-Path: <scottw@force4.com-DeleteThis> Received: from hplms26.hpl.hp.com by opus.hpl.hp.com with ESMTP (1.37.109.24/15.5+ECS 3.3+HPL1.1) id AA010608377; Wed, 18 Aug 1999 10:46:17 -0700 Received: from proxy4.ba.best.com (root@proxy4.ba.best.com-DeleteThis [206.184.139.15]) by hplms26.hpl.hp.com (8.9.1a/HPL-PA Relay) with ESMTP id KAA04584 for <wind_talk@opus.hpl.hp.com-DeleteThis>; Wed, 18 Aug 1999 10:46:16 -0700 (PDT) Received: from k8g7v8 (swink.vip.best.com [204.156.158.235]) by proxy4.ba.best.com (8.9.3/8.9.2/best.out) with ESMTP id KAA22869 for <wind_talk@opus.hpl.hp.com-DeleteThis>; Wed, 18 Aug 1999 10:37:29 -0700 (PDT) Message-Id: <4.2.0.58.19990817120735.00a78d10@shell15.ba.best.com-DeleteThis> X-Sender: swink@shell15.ba.best.com-DeleteThis (Unverified) X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Pro Version 4.2.0.58 Date: Tue, 17 Aug 1999 13:11:49 -0700 To: wind_talk@opus.hpl.hp.com-DeleteThis From: Scott Winkler <scottw@force4.com-DeleteThis> Subject: RE: Rip Tides and Ocean Safety (or how I nearly drowned/got e In-Reply-To: <27E607A8AB7CD211881A00805FBE7745424DD6@exchange03.comp.pge-DeleteThis .com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
Wow, great story! I've had a few days kind of like this, and as an
"intermediate" wave sailor w/ a couple of broken masts, can share these
thoughts about Waddell:
1. If the waves are big, and the wind is light/flukey, don't go out! You
will see lot's of the Santa Cruz crowd on the beach, with a handful of hot
sailors out. These folks somehow get powered/planed up much faster than
mere mortals, and can do things like snap jibes on the wavefront to get out
of jams.
2. Even on big days, the waves come in sets. I've stood in the shorebreak
for 30 min's or more getting a feel for the sets and waiting for a window
to get out.
3. After an initial rinse, try to get reconnected with the rig and stay
with it! Hang onto the mast tip oriented into the on-coming waves. If you
don't see a clean opportunity to get up and out, head back in, the idea
being to minimize downtime in the impact zone!
4. On big days, a lot of water gets pushed towards the beach, and gravity
will force it out, usually through a channel. You can easily spot it from
the beach; lot's of small uneven chop. Swimming downwind and across the rip
is the only way out. As previously mentioned, if you're not in reasonably
good shape, don't go out.
IMHO, the dorsal fin spotted would not have been the Warden, who checks out
and attacks his prey in complete stealth mode (from underneath). Most
likely a purpoise, pods of which have been seen near Scott's. They are
curious, and like us, enjoy playing in the waves.
Safe sailing in the waves, and sacrifice something to the Wind God for more
you know what!
Scott Winkler
200#, ASD, North Spectra
650 917-9674
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