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Author: Subject: Elderly American Kayaking couple lost at sea in San Felipe
Barry A.
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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 08:06 AM


With a life vest on you are reasonably assured of NOT drowning, but you can still be dragged under (in a river), hit your head and be knocked out, or just pass out from exhaustion, and drown.

I still have not heard if these poor folks had, or did not have, life vests on.

Anybody know??

Barry
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DENNIS
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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 08:17 AM


Panic could be a factor, and it only takes a bit of water in the lungs to kill.

Who's to say what happened out there? There's an important lesson to be learned here...respect for Mother Nature.
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woody with a view
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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 08:27 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
I dont think so, its different over there. there is no predicting the wind. having been in gonzaga for years we still marvel at how fast the wind direction can completely reverse then moments later come from a completely different direction. its enough to keep you close to shore.


check this out. it just takes a minute to find these sites and then you stay off the water that day! http://www.sailflow.com/windandwhere.iws?regionID=130&re...

press the "play" arrow just below this: Wind Forecast, xt_Baja California

see how easy a little preparation can be?

[Edited on 4-13-2012 by woody with a view]




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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 10:11 AM
People Drown


Wearing "Flotation Devices" ALL the time.

The problem with the Most-Effective "Life Vests" (which WILL position and hold your head erect above the water), is that they are the MOST uncomfortable. Consequently, few people wear them by choice. I NEVER did, although I kept them stored below deck and, whenever I had kids on board, I'd make them wear the Child or Youth-sized.

That said, ANY approved Flotation Vest is better than none.

As someone who has sailed well offshore often ALONE and usually didn't follow my own rules about safety harnesses and Jack Lines even though going overboard would have left me miles from any help with the boat gone on its way, I wouldn't be surprised or critical of someone not wearing one, although being in a Kayak puts you at a far greater danger of going in.

Stuff Happens.

Years ago, there was a story in one of the sailing mags about a Physician who TAUGHT "Safety-at-Sea" courses. He was sailing overnight with a crew to participate in the Annapolis Boat Show. He had Strict safety rules enforced on his boat.

On deck, at night standing watch alone in moderate seas, he "apparently" saw something on the Fore-Deck which needed attention and walked forward without attaching to the Jack Line.

He disappeared and, weeks later, had still not been found.

No matter how many times things go OK, It only takes one of the other.

[Edited on 4-13-2012 by MrBillM]
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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 10:23 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.


I am 74--------------been active all my life



Barry, You have a few on me, thanks for the post,
I know a guy around 90, rides a road bicycle with all
the gear, puts 250 or so on a week
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willardguy
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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 10:39 AM


these poor folks were just innocent victims of sea of cortez weather. the day they were lost the wind was blowing 5 knots a 10:30am. at 1:30pm the wind was a rippin 30 knots. very tragic, rip
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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 11:09 AM


http://katskorner.com.mx/san_felipe/2012/04/13/13-april-2012...



A little more info
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EnsenadaDr
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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 11:25 AM
Thanks, Sancho..


Thanks, Sancho for the link. Appears Frank had extensive experience kayaking, and his son owns a sports store. The story gets more eerie, one writer stated she lost her dad in the SAME spot 41 years ago...Maybe this area should be labeled...the Orfanitos triangle...????
Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
http://katskorner.com.mx/san_felipe/2012/04/13/13-april-2012...



A little more info
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bacquito
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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 11:27 AM


Are there times when the weather conditions are more favorable in the Sea of Cortez for Kayaking? There have been post by kayakers traveling the coast and it seemed with little problems. Are the variable wind conditions mostly around San Felipe-Huerfonito? I know I have read articles about wind conditions and trouble with kayaking.
Hopefully, I can resume my kayaking soon but will appreciate any comments.




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woody with a view
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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 12:05 PM


spring time is notorious for windy weather in that area.



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Barry A.
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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 12:17 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by bacquito
Are there times when the weather conditions are more favorable in the Sea of Cortez for Kayaking? There have been post by kayakers traveling the coast and it seemed with little problems. Are the variable wind conditions mostly around San Felipe-Huerfonito? I know I have read articles about wind conditions and trouble with kayaking.
Hopefully, I can resume my kayaking soon but will appreciate any comments.


I have several good friends that have kayak'ed the entire SOC Baja & Sanora Coasts in segments, all in Oct. and Nov., and even then they were normally "off the water" by about 11am every day unless conditions are very favorable. They would resume their paddleing the next morning about 4AM. They never had any major problems, but commented that the problems they did have were making landings after the wind had churned up the waves making the very choppy SOC surf kick up along shore. But at least it was "along shore" so they only got wet, and/or capsized, right close to land.

It'a tricky!! and you have to plan well, according to what they told me.

Barry
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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 12:27 PM


keep an eye on the horizon, it becomes a sixth sense.
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sancho
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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 01:05 PM


As posted, wind is common Nov-Apr., and after May 15
or so, it can be Hot. A good book on a solo kayak
paddle from the top of the Cortez to the East Cape
Ed Darack (I think that is the sp), 'Wind Sun Water',
you tube has some good videos on kayaking San
Felipe to to Bay of LA area
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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 01:35 PM


My experience kayaking on the Sea of Cortez. Calm mornings. You can usually expect the wind to start picking up at a little before noon and increasing for a while. It may are may not let up towards sunset. But that seems to be the way the wind blows all over the world.:)
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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 01:52 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
As posted, wind is common Nov-Apr., and after May 15
or so, it can be Hot. A good book on a solo kayak
paddle from the top of the Cortez to the East Cape
Ed Darack (I think that is the sp), 'Wind Sun Water',
you tube has some good videos on kayaking San
Felipe to to Bay of LA area


Do you have links to those videos?




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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 01:52 PM
So Sorry to Pile on the Sad News


Body of missing kayaker found south of San Felipe
Search continued Wednesday for his wife

Originally published April 11, 2012 at 2:35 p.m., updated April 12, 2012 at 10:19 p.m.

From the San Diego Union Tribune

By: Sandra Dibble

Authorities have identified the body of a man found Monday in the Gulf of California as Frank Wheeler, a U.S. citizen reported missing last weekend after he went kayaking south of San Felipe.

The Mexican navy on Wednesday continued its search in an area south of Puertecitos for his wife Bobi Wheeler, said Felipe de Jesús Vallecillo, the port captain in San Felipe.

A statement by Mexico’s Naval Ministry said that personnel had been searching on land and sea since Saturday, and on Sunday an airplane was sent to join the effort. The airplane and two boats continued to search the area between Punta Bufeo and Punta Final on Wednesday.

"The U.S. Consulate confirmed Wheeler’s death. Vallecillo, the port captain, said that Frank Wheeler, 70, and his wife, 60, were residents of the San Felipe community of El Dorado Ranch and liked to kayak in the area.

Their vehicle was reported abandoned Saturday in the tourist camp of Huerfanito, about 70 miles from San Felipe, prompting a search for the couple.

According to the statement from the Mexican Naval Ministry, some fishermen on Monday found an empty kayak drifting about three miles from an area known as Campo Douglas. Frank Wheeler's body was found later that day, according to the statement."




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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 03:55 PM


Terrible news. I wish it weren't so.



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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 08:15 PM


I sold my tandem kayak w/life preservers, seats, paddles, everything. My Wife can't swim, and reading this confirms that I made the right decision in selling the stuff.



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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 09:01 PM


Teaching her to swim may be the one of the nicest thing you could do for Leidys! Being 60-80 years of age had something to do with what happened, and you got a few years to go before that.



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[*] posted on 4-13-2012 at 10:43 PM
Going DOWN ?


Excrement occurs.

We've seen it happen time and again in Baja.

People young and old drown a few feet offshore (or in pools) under calm conditions all the time for a variety of reasons.

Back in my youthful surfing days, I came a bit close myself at least once.

Wasn't wearing a Life-Jacket then, either.
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