Unfortunately, another kayak fisherman has drowned. According to local
news reports, the 58-year old male was wearing no life jacket, had beer
in the boat, and tried to swim to shore after capsizing. The incident
occurred in Pohick Bay, Virginia, adjoining the Potomac River. Pohick
Bay is generally still water, with a weak underwater current from
Accotink Creek. This is not wild country or wild water; Pohick Bay is in
the middle of the Washington, DC suburbs. The accident occurred in sight
of the person who called 911.
The victim's mistakes suggest he had not attended a safe boating course.
Auxiliary PEs are encouraged to offer the Paddlesports America course in
their local area to help prevent future catastrophes like this one. Find
the course and instructor guide here:
http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=E-DEPT&category=paddle-sports.
news reports, the 58-year old male was wearing no life jacket, had beer
in the boat, and tried to swim to shore after capsizing. The incident
occurred in Pohick Bay, Virginia, adjoining the Potomac River. Pohick
Bay is generally still water, with a weak underwater current from
Accotink Creek. This is not wild country or wild water; Pohick Bay is in
the middle of the Washington, DC suburbs. The accident occurred in sight
of the person who called 911.
The victim's mistakes suggest he had not attended a safe boating course.
Auxiliary PEs are encouraged to offer the Paddlesports America course in
their local area to help prevent future catastrophes like this one. Find
the course and instructor guide here:
http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=E-DEPT&category=paddle-sports.
Instructors don't need to be kayakers to teach this course. The material on basic
boating safety should be quite familiar from teaching BS&S or ABC. The
paddlesports-specific elements are easily mastered. Supporting materials
are available on the AuxBWiki site:
http://auxbdeptwiki.cgaux.org/index.php?title=Paddlesports.
Source: Don Goff, BC-BLC
boating safety should be quite familiar from teaching BS&S or ABC. The
paddlesports-specific elements are easily mastered. Supporting materials
are available on the AuxBWiki site:
http://auxbdeptwiki.cgaux.org/index.php?title=Paddlesports.
Source: Don Goff, BC-BLC
Original Post by: Bruce White DVC-BL on 2 October 2012 and released by:
David G. Porter, DCDR, Div 12 1SR and Alexis Melnick, SO-PB, Div. 12 1SR