The cliffs of Grotto Point cop the full force of ocean swell
Today after returning from a dawn paddle to the ocean-battered cliffs of North Head, I saw something that really annoyed me. Three kayakers had paddled around Grotto Point (see photo at top of story) heading for Manly. One was in a small Sit On Top, one in a mid-sized sea kayak, and the last in a fairly serious sea kayak setup. What shocked me was that none of the three were wearing a PFD.
Sydney Harbour is to a certain degree similar to the watery environments usually thought of as “sea”. At Grotto Point, the ocean swell rushes through Sydney Heads and smashes straight into its cliffs. It can be so bad, that last winter a good sized yacht was smashed against these cliffs during a storm.
Last week my usual paddle mate Timbo had to come to the aid of some paddlers that ran into trouble off Grotto Point in big swell and had to swim into the beach past the point in big dumping swell. They fortunately had on PFDs and were able to get to safety despite the rough conditions.
That same day I had come out of my kayak in the middle of a rock garden after getting smashed by rebound. Whilst I recovered my boat/paddle, I was able to bob around in my PFD.
My point here is that very few paddlers plan on coming out of their kayaks, especially in moderate conditions. But that doesn’t mean you wont fall out, or hit your head on rocks and get knocked out. Which is why all kayakers should (and for the most part, do) wear a PFD whenever they are in the water.
Sorry to preach…. but us paddlers have to stick together and look each other. Cheers – FP
Sea Kayaker magazine does a great job of chronicling sea kayak mishaps. The book “Big Trouble” describes many of the things that can go wrong on a paddle….and not wearing a PFD increases ones chance of death by accident a heck of a lot!
I think the book you re referring to is Deep Trouble, and in fact there is an online discussion of the book here – > http://www.paddlerbooks.blogspot.com/
last summer I paddled with someone who didn’t wear a pfd. when I questioned him on it, he said “I don’t perceive a risk”.
I was curious if he perceived a risk in his car when he wore his seatbelt. I am dumbfounded by people who don’t wear a pfd.
And to re-iterate my point, this tragic kayak death in the UK looks like the paddler wasn’t wearing a PFD.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/north_west/8652571.stm
you’re right Paddling otaku! I lent it out and it’s been awhile since I’ve seen it….I hope whoever borrowed is reading it!
Amen. Amen. Say it again brother, Amen.
I can’t understand why someone would go for a paddle without one. I paddle much calmer waters than the sea, and I always… always… wear one.
There are a few states that have a law concerning it. A few require helmets. I’m not sure that’s the right move, but if people were just smart enough to wear PDF’s it wouldn’t take a law.
Hi FP,
Wearing a PFD is a “no brainer”, if you’re not wearing one you have no brains. The other week my wife and I put in at Iluka Beach (Jervis Bay)and paddled to the north end of Bowen Island with a plan to exit the bay between there and Point Perpendicular. Once we got there we decided that this was not a good plan, so we went elsewhere. When we got back we meet up with a couple of fishermen on SOT’s who had also turned back, but only after they had gone out with one being swamped. Luckly they only lost some gear and not a life, paticularly as they had no PFD’s on either themselves or their boats.
I agree! Many times I have seen paddlers on the water without PFDs. It drives me nuts. Living in the Pacific Northwest in the US the water is cold all year. Hypothermia is a risk any time of year. Being in the water is bad enough, but not having personal flotation is simply irresponsible. Thanks for the write up..
PFDs are very irritating to paddle in and they slow you down. I can understand why some people choose not to wear them.
Motorcyclists could say that about helmets, but they reckon being killed is probably more irritating. I dare say drowning is pretty irritating too.
Yeah I know what you are saying, PFDs do reduce risk, but I just feel that if someone is a fit and experienced paddler then the PFD decision should be left up to them.
Everyone should judge their own risk John, I get that. But what if you get rolled by a wave or boat wake etc, hit your head on your paddle or boat and get knocked out for 30 seconds? Or you dislocate a shoulder and can’t swim properly? Or you capsize and strong winds blow your kayak away from you? The point is, in general day to day paddling you hopefully won’t need it. But when bad things happen, it could be the difference between life and death.
Hey FP. I don’t disagree with any of that. A PFD can save your life. And certainly the average punter paddling around Grotto should be in one.
I just disagree that PFDs should be mandatory at all times and all conditions. I’m mainly into flatwater racing and we rarely wear PFDs (except at night). Whilst we do increase our risk by not wearing them I dispute that we are being reckless.
Anyway keep up the good work with this site. Hope to see you at the Hawkesbury this year!
Fair call John, and yes, there are certain scenarios like flat-water racing where the risks minimal. As the for the Hawkesbury…. we’ll have to wait and see. 😉
Preach is a top description. Gear like a flotation jacket doesn’t save people with no skill. Try telling a top surfski paddles he’s dumb for not wearing one, he will take one look at you and laugh.
You know what else, only the big yacht ones save you if you are knocked out. They are a false security. Just get better.