Editor’s note: This is Part Three of Eric’s thesis on Ocean Survival Swimming, covering ocean swimming training. Part One introduces Tsunami Ranger Eric Soares’ philosophy on this topic, Part Two covers the four prerequisites for ocean survival swimming, and Part Four completes the series with a discussion of survival swimming tactics. We hope you find […]
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Ocean Survival Swimming – Part 4
Editor’s note: This is the final part of our four part series on Ocean Survival Swimming. Eric wrote this a long time ago but he never deviated from his opinions on the topic. I’ve practiced many of the drills recommended in this series, and they’re fun and profitable. Thanks to Robert Kendall for being our […]
Ocean Survival Swimming – Part 2
Editor’s note: This essay on the Four Prerequisites to Ocean Swimming is the second in our four part series on Ocean Survival Swimming. It’s opinionated, funny, and informative. Enjoy. STAY WITH THE BOAT An old mariner’s maxim. This rule is true in most boat capsizes, where sailors will be rescued by the Coast Guard or […]
Ocean Survival Swimming – A Sea Kayaker’s Guide to Staying Alive in the Water
Editor’s Note: Tsunami Ranger Commander Eric Soares wrote this detailed thesis illustrating the Tsunami Rangers’ emphasis on ocean survival swimming as a key skill for sea kayakers. We’ll publish his thesis in four parts. This first part is the outline for Ocean Survival Swimming. Note that Eric refers to buoyancy compensators instead of PFDs. It […]
Rhode Island – The Ocean State: Personal Reflections of a Sea Kayaker
by Tony Moore Editor’s note: Tony Moore lives in Jamestown, R.I. with his wife Aline. He has been diving and spearfishing for almost 50 years and has been kayaking since 1997. Tony is also a certified Water Safety Instructor (American Red Cross). He coordinates several RICKA (Rhode Island Canoe & Kayaking Association) paddles every year, usually rock garden trips. He is a […]
Why Do We Test New Rangers?
by Captain Jim Kakuk Why do we test new Rangers? I remember as a young scruffy kid hanging out with my friends down by the river in a tree fort. We were always coming up with big plans and scheming on who would get to join in our gang as there was always a need […]
Rangers’ Retreat – 30 Years On
By: Captain Jim Kakuk and Dandy Don Kiesling FIRST RETREAT In 1985 Eric and I were on our way to the Port Townsend Sea Kayaking Symposium to do our first presentation, ‘Ocean Survival Swimming‘. On the way we stopped in Southern Oregon at Boardman State Park, and went on a mini expedition to explore a […]
The Combat Roll
by Tsunami Ranger John Lull While paddling south one day from Point Arena on the northern California coast, I spotted an inner passage through the sandstone cliffs, cut deep into the uplifted marine terrace. After exploring the passage for a considerable distance, it became obvious it would dead end up ahead, so I entered a […]
Cold Water Safety – Golden Rule Number 5: Imagine the Worst That Can Happen and Plan for It
by Moulton Avery Editor’s note: Moulton Avery is founder and director of the National Center for Cold Water Safety. He started out paddling canoes in the early 70’s and transitioned to sea kayaking in 1984. His pioneering article Cold Shock appeared in the Spring 1991 issue of Sea Kayaker. “Risk assessment is a key safety […]
How Sea Kayakers Should Deal With Sharks
A three-foot dorsal fin headed straight for Jim Kakuk and me as we paddled from Point Tomales toward Point Reyes. My mind was electrified as I sat there with mouth agape as the sea monster sped toward us. It would be upon us in one second. What to do? Then the 20-foot predator rushed between […]