Crissy - Rescues, South Tower, Presidio Shoal, R-E-S-P-E-C-T

[baypirate]

I was rescued from the Shoals on Tuesday. [...]
The coast guard had me get out, as there was another kite, and a several wind surfers floating too, and they didn't want to have to come back for me on the Ebb

Yeah, man, thanks for sharing your experience! That was EXACTLY how I was rescued (haha, Gabe, the only time so far, if we're counting) about a year ago, paying dues pretty early in my Crissy outings. Not even sure anybody called it in for you, what usually happens is if they are already picking people up, and they see kites down on the inside there by the Presidio, they know you're DIW and that on ebb you will get pulled out.

When it happened to me, I started swimming east of the Shoal marker, and when they came by I was already as far west as close to the old pier, that's how strong the shore current can be. I was not even 100yds from shore, they asked if I wanted to hitch the ride as they were going to drop off to the beach a couple of guys they had on board anyway. Had radio too, but no surfboard then (which I really think it's a good idea for Crissy, btw).

Yesterday by 4pm, based on sensors and camera, wind inside (or lacked thereof) looked above my paygrade, so I folded, stayed at 3rd (oh, the wrath I'll incur for calling this "folded" :shock: ). Where, btw, there were just as many kites in the water when it shut down, but that makes another point. At a place like 3rd, if you're up for a swim, you can disrespect pretty much any wind outlook and go out. At Crissy such a calculus would be disrespectful to others (such as the CG), because "swim it in" works only in very limited circumstances.

[PeterT]

Peter Thorner weighing in from NYC. I working at the Coast Guard station here but it is pretty boring without all the kitesurfers to rescue.

A few years back we threw a Coast Guard Appreciation party at Sports Basement and invited CG personnel. I think they like being at on off base event where they can cut loose a little more. I think they came in uniform which constrains them (no drinking). If regulations would allow them to attend out of uniform and clearly off duty, I think they would have a lot more fun. We raised $1,000+ for the stations morale funds (I think we gave some to Station Golden Gate and some to Station San Francisco (based at YBI, serves east of Angel Island and Alcatraz and points south such as 3rd Ave). Reggie Feltman (reggief@pacbell.net) was a big part of putting that together. At that time Station Golden Gate was looking to get some new excercise equipment for the station and used the money to get it. They might also have other needs on station like a few loads of sand for their volleyball court or something like that. You have two different audiences. One is the crews who are younger and don't have as much to do with management and policy and then you have the decision makers (Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, Operations Officer) who are older, less likely to be up for a party, but more likely to want to know that people don't take rescue for granted. Frankly, the crews would rather be out rescuing you that on station doing chores. Leadership worries what they are going to do if some hiker gets swept off a beach well out the gate and none of the Search & Rescue boats have a full tank of fuel because they are sweeping up windsurfers or kitesurfers.

When I started windsurfing, Station Golden Gate was not as quick to pick us up and you could swim in for 45 minutes and accepted that outcome if you were in shape and had a good wetsuit. In the last 6-7 years, they have been more aggressive and more rescues do provide evidence that a station is doing good work and needs its assets. The main point though is that it is impossible for them to tell who has the ability to get back to shore safely and who doesn't, so they pretty much have to rescue anyone swimming and your best bet is to cooperate and take the ride because they won't head home until you are on the beach. The other thing they have to worry about is the shipping channel. Once you get 3-4 times Anita out, you are in the shipping channel and boats confined to the channel (big ships) have right of way over everybody. Just before I left for NY, I saw a guy get plucked out of the water in front of a big ship and it looked disturbingly close from the shore.

I'll call my Station Golden Gate contacts as well and see if they have any thoughts or if the station has any needs that could be addressed. I know they get someone with a bad attitude every now and then so it is always good to let them know that there are far more people who appreciate them and that people are working to spread the message that you need to take responsibility for your own safety by exercising good judgment, investing in reliable gear & safety equipment, etc.

Peter Thorner

[whitecap]

Peter is right, they will wait on you.....Alex and I went down in the spring around 3x crissy, and I thoght it would good for him to realize he can be self sufficient, so we wrapped up and started swimming. It was flooding, and the coasties came by afer we were in front of the Club...we waved them off, as it was easy to make last chance by that time, but I was sorry to take 15 min of their time while they waited for us...even though we were within 100 ft. of shore.

Just to give Gabe some lip, after 26 years of windsurfing and kiting at crissy, I have not been on the coastie boat yet. Well, I did get a boat ride in the 90's after I went out late, and the fall breeze shut way outside.....but my wife flagged down a fishing boat, which was quite willing to pick her up.....just glad she asked them to go get her husband...(nice lady)

I am a bit conservative....a floaty board this time of year, and keep an eye on the beach. Made it in dry yesterday, while the other boys came in at the club....One guy launched late on a twin tip, and did not keep an eye out....stayed out....and then tried to come in upwind. I guess Jeff must have left the beach by then, as that guy had a long swim, but was inside the pier at the presidio, so even though the sun was down, he was going to be OK. But that is a long walk after a long swim. So...new guys.....that was yesterday....no coastie ride home for someone out there....


All this said, it is often worth it - A fully loaded ship came in with pace yesterday, and Stephans and I were on it from the gate to the club.....shoulder to head high perfection...

Bob

[Tony Soprano]

He was rescued yesterday by the CG close in by the pier, as someone on the prominade walking called it in, we also called in after he was in the water for twenty minutes because he was asking for help by waving his board over his head. He was paniked by a seal or shark or bay dolfin bumping in to him.
He stayed out to late on the wrong gear when everybody else made it for the beach.

[whitecap]

thanks for the word. Glad he is ok....He looked real close to the beach, but I was on Doyle drive...I thought that guy clearly saw Eric and Stefaans looking for a way in through the bubble, and for whatever reason, decided to back up to the gate. What up with that?

The wind is tough to predict, and there were plenty of days where I swam in a bit after 5, and then guys get to the beach at 7. But sometimes, the door closes on you, and it ain't gonna open....But I am missing the point, which is the original post has about the best collection of crissy wisdom I have seen in one place. I think the one most important thing to remember is to come in below Anita for most conditions....a lot better to end up at the stairs by the club than up at the pier...

Bob

[Tony Soprano]

=D>

[moblvet]

thoughts of temporal hole west of Anita, other times come in towards trees and go straight downwind to get in, different times within the year, that's Crissy, need to know south to n winds there.
hardcore Crissy kiters, had to ask who they are posting here, feedback for one was, stay away from him, doesn't know how to position himself to launch kite...talk to locals, or if they talk to you, continue the conversation.

[maxsteamer]

Hello Crissy Kiters,

A lot of the CG folks live here at 1001 Shoreline. most of them don't mind plucking kiters out of the bay, as it is either cleaning a boat or the like ie, so they would rather be out doing something that fits there MO, but if you don't take there help after they are nice enough to come and get Hello butt, then that is a slap in there face.

There are alot of things you should know about CG?? most of there duty's are gov. related and have to do with every craft/ship/vessell coming and leaving through the gate,and yes that means you and your kite/board rate as a water craft.but you already new that. what I'm trying to say here is.. if you don't get in the boat, they have to stay on duty tell they confirm that you are safe and alive or dead. sorry about that but it's a fact.

Max be with you " " but not at crissy

[starboard]

bump.