Surfer drowns in S.F.

Well it had to happen sooner or later. A surfer drowned this afternoon in S,F, while I was surfing in the same area. At the time of his drowning the waves were in the 5-7' (faces) range. The swell came up quickly after that up to 10' faces on sets. While I had a great, uncrowded session, this incident is troubling.

Contrary to the article, I have not heard of a surfer ever drowning here. Several years ago the U.S. Park Service commandeered the beaches ostensibly to prevent drownings. Many surfers, myself included, resent their surveillance and attempt at controlling the area and activities of swimmers and surfers. Lately they have started a Jet Ski patrol with lifeguards zooming around and in the surf zone to supposedly patrol the area to prevent drowning. I have had words with them regarding their harassing behavior and the fact that the nature of the ocean in this area would make their life saving techniques futile in a real emergency. Unfortunately, I was right.

My next prediction is that rather than admitting that they can not prevent drownings they will step up control to the point where they will 'designate' swimming and surfing areas. They have already done this at Stinson Beach in Marin County.

I have personally helped swimmers in trouble ashore and it is obvious that the currents, temperature, etc. leads to quick drowning for inexperienced swimmers. No amount of patrolling will prevent this.

The drowning is a tragedy but we all are at risk when we surf and, for the most part, accept that risk as part of the excitement of being in the ocean wilderness.

Here is the article:

I'm deeply sadenened by John's untimely passing. All you heros over forty get the message: you are not immortal. Take up remote control gliders or bocci ball before it's to late.

a'hola'

g.DTL

Your spellchecker left the two S'es out of your name.

While I have noticed the increased life-guard presence since the El Nino summer, I have never had any problems with those guys. I am surprised to hear that they have harassed anyone and I have never seen them ride their skiis into the impact zone either. I hope you are wrong about them stepping up enforcement and designating surfing/swimming (???) areas. That sounds too much like the place we left behind.

Regarding the surfer who died, I'd wait until the autopsy is complete before blaming the surf for his death. For all we know, it could have been caused by a health issue rather than the waves themselves.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/gate/ archive/2001/09/02/...

Most likely compounded by health issue or maybe even booze/drugs?

Good to still you're still around , Lou.

I have been buzzed in the surf zone twice by them and witnessed them cruising as close as about 25 feet to swimmers. California law limits speed to 5 m.p.h. within 100 feet of swimmer and 200 feet of the shoreline. This was clearly violated both times. Additionally, the Monterey Marine Sanctuary prohibits their use in all but four very limited zones. the area stretches from Marin to Monterey but, get this, San Francisco is not included because there is so much pollution spewing from the treatment plants that it can not comply with the Sanctuary requirements. Still the spirit of the recreational use should prevail IMHO. Add to this that some of the lifeguards take 'breaks' when the surf is good and paddle out on their 10' soft-tops and act like wavehogs. When I got into an argument with a Ranger about these issues he called ma a faggot.

You tell me if there is a problem here.

Guidopalooza sounds like a submarine sandwich. Isn't Frisco where they caught the man-eating shark in the parking lot but made him spit it out. But, seriously folks, 'Frisco must be between 'Vegas and 'Berdoo?

a 'hola' T.STEAK

There was a segment on this in the recent Surfers Journal article on Tow-Ins. The ban on PWC's in Monterey Marine Sanctuary only applies to watercraft carrying two or fewer people and the latest Yamaha's and others can carry three people hence skirting the ban.

G

On Tue, 04 Sep 2001 00:53:06 GMT, Jeffrey Kaplan

G
http://scsurfers.com http://altsurfing.org

Right G! However, the ones in San Francisco are the smaller models which only carry two. No matter, as I said, S.F. is not part of the Sanctuary because of excess pollution spewage. Yuck!

I too saw the article on tow-ins in the latest Surfers Journal and found it to be very interesting. I hate those things but I understand their allure for the big wave riders.

Regarding Jeff's experiences at OB, I am alarmed to hear that these guys are buzzing the surf zone. The only experiences I've had around here with pwc involved some idiot at Fort Point ruining one of my few solo sessions there (it took place during a day when most of the locals tend to be indoors - I won't reveal what that recurring event is for obvious reasons) and one of those tow-in teams practicing out on the avenues earlier this summer (in very small surf I might add).

Back in NJ, the guys that surfed my local break had several run-ins with jet-ski riders and the authorities rarely enforced the rules prohibiting the use of pwc close to shore. Needless to say, they ended up ruining many sessions. If we find that GGNR lifeguards are guilty of this, we should alert the proper authorities - there is nothing more politically incorrect than the government's own breaking laws.

Lastly, returning to the topic, has anyone heard more about the poor guy's cause of death? I've seen nothing since this weekend.

Regards,

Lou

I plan on surfing till I'm dead. If I die surfing then all the better. Is there any other way?

Biigbot m/ (ö¿ö)