Strong Winter Rains finally coming to N California

We have had a very mild winter in Northern California which has enabled many of us have our yaks out and on our local waters.

Last Friday afternoon was exceptional. In the sunshine on a local lake the air temp was in the high 70's with a mild 2-4 mph wind.

During and after the coming storm this week, we might be able to yak in our backyards, driveways and streets.

Last year it was cold, very wet and windy basically through May.

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/WI ... 43445.html

_________________
2009 Oasis
2012 Freedom Hawk Pathfinder

Yes, Friday was awesome weather.
I went out in my AI in outrigger mode (didn't bring sail, no wind) on Lake Natoma in Folsom. it almost felt like summer, except there was a cool light breeze.
However, I ended up having to rescue a big guy who fell out of his Necky sit-on-top kayak. He couldn't get back in the boat. He obviously had never tried to practice getting into the boat on the water.
I tried to help him by using my ama to climb back into his boat, which worked (however if I had a regular kayak he would have knocked me over too) except he fell back in trying to turn around from his stomach. He was really tired and cold after that so rather than having him try again I told him to hang on to the ama while I towed him to shore.
He was really lucky me and my Hobie came along because it would have been quite a struggle to help him or tow him in a single hull paddle kayak. It didn't help that his wife was kind of panicking that he couldn't get back in the boat. Luckily he was wearing a PFD and not in danger of drowning but the cold water had sapped his strength.

Anyway, the point being, the weather is really beautiful but the water (especially at Lake Natoma) is still very cold.

Great job.

Our water temps here are in the low 40's and dangerous to someone wading or falling in after feeling the warm sun.

I helped a couple after they got out of their yaks to get safely ashore at Lake Hennesse last Friday. It was their first trip out and they were tired, hot and dehydrated when they climbed out of their yaks into knee deep water. They basically cramped up when they got out of their yaks into the water knee on the ramp.

Someone had helped them to launch and get into their yaks from the dock. They were going solo when I came down the ramp.

I had my K pants with the built in feet and my fly fishing boots on. I was dry and stayed dry as I helped them to shore. My efforts were nothing compared to yours.

My wife and I feel that our waterproof K pants with the built in feet have added at least a month to each end of our Kayaking season. This year, I have added about 2 months on the front end.

_________________
2009 Oasis
2012 Freedom Hawk Pathfinder

Have heard its been a crazy dry winter in Norcal. I thought myself clever when I planned a weeklong kayaking trip in the Carmel / Big Sur area in a couple of weeks... but I suspect the coin has been tossed, and I will be in for some rainy days yet! Happy to hear the reservoirs might fill up a bit tho.

_________________
"Never mistake a clear view for a short journey." - Cowboy Proverb

Graduating from adventure junkie to dealer. Get your fix at http://www.fasterfarther.com