BajaNomad

Albertan drowns off coast of San Jose del Cabo

BajaNews - 7-20-2011 at 06:03 AM

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/technology/Stony+Plain+missin...

July 20, 2011

Mexican authorities are searching for a Stony Plain man who was caught in a wave off Mexico's Pacific Coast, The Associated Press reports.

The man was identified as Robert Clark Dale, 51.

Civil protection officials in Mexico said he was swimming near San Jose del Cabo on the Baja California peninsula when he was pulled out into the ocean by a current shortly before 3 p.m. Monday.

Firefighters, lifeguards and two Mexican navy ships are searching for the man.

Hallan cadáver de turista canadiense desaparecido en México

BajaNews - 7-20-2011 at 06:07 AM

http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2011/07/19/986944/turista-canad...

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, México -- El cadáver de un turista canadiense que fue arrastrado por una ola en las aguas del Pacífico mexicano fue hallado el martes, afirmaron funcionarios de protección civil.

Robert Clark Dale, de 51 años, fue hallado a 500 metros (un tercio de milla) de la playa del Hotel Presidente por una cuadrilla de rescate de la Marina mexicana.

Dale provenía de Stony Plain, Alberta, dijeron las autoridades de Baja California Sur.

Las autoridades de protección civil dijeron que el canadiense nadaba el lunes cerca de San José del Cabo, en la península de Baja California, aproximadamente a las 2:50 de la tarde cuando se lo llevó una corriente.

Los bomberos, salvavidas y dos barcos de la Armada mexicana participaron en la búsqueda del turista.

Las autoridades dijeron que Dale estaba con familiares que habían viajado con él hasta la localidad costera.

BajaBlanca - 7-21-2011 at 10:52 AM

first time I went to Cabo in 2000, everyone warned me to watch out for the rip tides. they can haul you out in no time ... it is sometimes hard to realized that you are IN one ... you just swim and get tired and more tired. In Rio de Janeiro as a teen, I was rescued by a very astute surfer. I am forever grateful - he saved my life, pure and simple.

What a sad loss.

vgabndo - 7-21-2011 at 12:20 PM

I grew up in a climate where people didn't swim much for fun. In sixth grade in a tank of chlorine thinned down with a little water, a terribly unqualified teacher taught me to fear water. It has been an uphill battle since then. I've spent a lot of time in the water including 65 days hookah diving a deep gold claim, and escaping the Trinity River when I had gone all the way to giving up the pain and panic and in the bright white light had accepted my death. I swam Mule Creek Canyon on the Rogue from a stupid flip at the top to just above the Coffee Pot. Here's the lesson that comes first to mind: I can't fight the water. Period. If it is going to kill me, it will kill me. If I fight it, I am helping it kill me. RELAX and preserve strength. Use the fear to sharpen the senses, then watch for the water releasing it's grip.

It feels like I've always known how to identify a "rip tide". The advice above is congruent with that I was given as a kid. "Don't fight it, it will let you go and you can swim back to shore".

I also recognize that this is difficult to remember when you've already been under for a long time twice and the third time to the surface the gasp is half air and half water. Been there done that. It sucks!

I'm sorry for Mr. Dale. May his tragic loss be a learning opportunity.

sancho - 7-21-2011 at 01:41 PM

I grew up surfing in so Ca., you get to know the Ocean,
people who have no knowledge of the sea open themselves
up to such incidents. Aside from tourists, I've found a
good # of Mex nationals can't swim, even pangueros who
have been around the sea for yrs. can't swim.
At the Cape, that stretch of beach adjacent to the Sol Mar
under the Finnestera (if that is still the name)
is very dangerous

shari - 7-21-2011 at 01:53 PM

today we are also mourning a drowning victim here...a 17 year old nephew of our family drowned yesterday afternoon while boogie boarding at the beach in the village...he had an epileptic seizure and drowned....so very very tragic. the ocean giveth and taketh away.

Bajahowodd - 7-21-2011 at 04:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
I grew up surfing in so Ca., you get to know the Ocean,
people who have no knowledge of the sea open themselves
up to such incidents. Aside from tourists, I've found a
good # of Mex nationals can't swim, even pangueros who
have been around the sea for yrs. can't swim.
At the Cape, that stretch of beach adjacent to the Sol Mar
under the Finnestera (if that is still the name)
is very dangerous


Over the years, most of the drowning victims reported among the tourist community DID occur on tht stretch of beach that runs in front of the Solmar and Finesterra. The problem there seemed always to be rogue waves, inasmuch as facing the ocean, the next landfall would be Antarctica.

In the Cabo area, there are actually few safe beaches, for those who are not serious swimmers and surfers to use. I'm reminded of Medano, which is tucked behind lands end and the arch, Santa Maria Bay, and the reefs by what was the Hotel Cabo San Lucas.

That said, this poor fellow was in the water near the Hotel Presidente in San Jose. Probably not subject to the rogue wave phenomenon, but likely an area where where riptides may occur.