Sunday, March 14, 2010

Nightmare


I almost lost it this morning. I could feel panic rising and had to fight hard to keep from freaking out. I haven't been this scared in years.

I seem to have slipped into a major Pacific Ocean current during my swim this morning. I did more than three miles in just over an hour (very very fast for me) and found myself a little too far out to sea. I climbed into the kayak I tow behind me for the trip home, but three hours later had to give up paddling and call for help - a first for me.

The only whale I saw was the one above who passed me like I was standing still. But I wasn't the only one struggling. I saw the submarine I wrote about on Tuesday (Click HERE for the story) being hooked up for a tow back against the current.

All in all, a memorable swim (I just hope I don't have nightmares tonight).

Posted by Maui Don - Dolphin Dude at 4:19 PM

3 comments:

  1. Wow, Don im glad ur okay! that feeling of panic is so awful but ur home ur safe and the whales are talking about yah! =0D For me Don I love the Ocean so much that the occasional reminder that she is the boss is a good thing for me. It is symbolic that of all the miles in the sea that whale passed you. We as ocean people are truly blessed!
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  2. Very beautiful and very unforgiving.

    Don, you might like this guys site. He's on the big island. www.carloseyles.com
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  3. Wow, the current must have been raging! Was it windy too, or just current? Just wondering, who do you call in a case like that? Did you have to call the Coast Guard? If the Coast Guard has to do a rescue, do they charge you? Just wondering, in case I ever get in that situation, as I am out there a lot in a kayak too. In fact, you have inspired me to get a cell phone, just for this reason!
    I was out on Saturday, and got caught in wind. The wind created small waves that made it hard to paddle against the wind too. It was frightening, but I made it in. Of course, as soon as I made it in, the wind died down!
    Take care.
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