** My response:
I hope you don't take this personally, as I have enjoyed your stories over the years....and have to say your fishing trips with him are some of the best reports on here....


Some of the responses to the report did mention a few sensible things here....and I would like to sum them up and add a bit...if you don't mind....not as a criticism of him or you.....but as someone who doesn't want to see another kayak death out there....

I was at the Nissiquogue, I think 3 years ago, that afternoon in August when that father was out with his young son in the inflatable kayak, had an accident, and died. I will remember the sadness and helplessness I felt that day, and my sadness for that family and that son growing up without his father, a NYPD officer......







Some basic thoughts.....
Again, not directed necessarily at you or your son, but just as a caution to anyone who is considering this growing sport of kayaking.....


1. Cold water survival -The water in the 40's and low 50's is cold enough to immobilize a person within 10 minutes...and within a half hour they could be dead....(I wrote a piece on this but don't remember all the specifics)....still, it's good to be very cautious in water close to or under 50 degees....


2. School of hard knocks- I say this not out of judgment....even though I have years of experience I almost died 2 years ago when fishing early season in a bay and the weather changed from mild 5mph to steady 25 mph and 3 foot swells within a half hour.
I made some very stupid mistakes that morning that almost cost me my life.....and hope not to make the same ones again....

3. Buddy System - When someone is a relative newbie, it's a good idea for them to use the buddy system or pair up with someone....it would be a great idea for you to buy another pro angler and go on trips together....

4. VHF - I didn't read anything about a VHF radio....this is a must for this time of year....and especially when you are out there by yourself, or in the middle of the night, as I often am.....

5. Fear is Healthy - The pro angler is a very stable platform...Great choice! and a wise purchase for anyone who is a little heavier than average...however a new kayaker could still get in trouble with worsening conditions....

I remember one morning Elias and I were out in the front of JBay...the conditions got very snotty within minutes....to his credit Eli made it back paddling....I stayed out a bit longer thinking my pedals would give me an advantage...looking back on that, I should have headed back in, when he did...there is nothing macho about being a tough guy in your yak on the water...macho or reckless guys end up dead....







6. Contingency Planning - pedalling into the sedges and trying to maneuver walking along that way....I had a similar experience last year...the winds kicked up to 25 mph, within a 15 minute period.....and I had to land 1/2 mile away from where I wanted to, and walk the sedges back to my original put-in.... The power of the early spring bay waves smashing my kayak into the sedges as I slowly made my way back inspired me to set up a set of parameters/rules which I try not to deviate from for all future trips.....

A. I do not launch or stay out there on days when any wind over 25 miles is forecast.

IMO 35mph winds are not something for any newbie to deal with and could result in injury or death.

B. I use several forecasting sites to get a pattern of the wind for that day and past my end of trip time in case I may be delayed. I plan my trip so I'm off the water before any serious weather changes.

C. Wunderground and wind guru are two I can recommend, others may have others they want to recommend to you.

D. I always have a plan B, or C.....trying to figure the worst possible scenario if I will be out there.

E. I practice self-rescue....and early season try to condition myself by doing small trips at first. I have done as much as 20 miles in a bay trip, but that was after several weeks of conditioning and using the tides to get me to each spot on my journey.





7. Float plan....
It seems you were both prepared on this.,...you knew you had to pick him up in 6 hours...good thinking.....

8. Toilet needs...pit stops..
I'm getting to be an old fart...so I'm never without my pee bottle...IMO it's a lot safer to learn how to take a leak in the bottle while in the yak.

9. Hydration....make sure you always have plenty of water...more than you think you can drink....if you get stranded and your trip takes twice as long, this can help your survival and clear thinking...Energy bars are good to have too...and some TP if you have to make a pit stop on a rockpile...

10. Wet suit or dry suit...
I don't own a dry suit so I can't kayak in certain conditions.....
In my experience, in early spring weather like this a new yakker should at minimum be wearing a wetsuit....
It is problematic if you have to take a leak..I have a 2 piece and am happy with it for that reason....That wetsuit could save your life if you get dumped...and have to wait to get saved.....worth the inconvenience of wearing a wetsuit and sitting in your own pee for a few hours until you hit land...