Ryan Stuart, explore's gear editor

Deadly Water

• Posted on April 23, 2008 at 2:00 PM
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Last fall two men died of hypothermia after their kayaks tipped in Howe Sound south of Squamish. David Leach does an amazing job of revisiting how the accident happened and the attempts to save the men and their companions in his cover story for explore's May issue. I always find these sorts of stories fascinating – I try to learn as much as possible from other's mistakes so they don't happen to me – but this story was even more interesting because of its personal connection.

Despite appearing to be huge, the adventure racing/outdoor crowd on the B.C. coast is actually pretty tight. There's max two degrees of separation. Everyone knows everyone else, or someone they know knows everyone you don't. In the six months or so since the accident I've talked to several people who knew one or both of the guys. A good friend spent New Years Eve with one of the people on the ill fated trip. The owner of the local Valhalla Pure was good friends with them. When I was looking for people to include in an upcoming explore feature (a collection of advice from pro athletes planned as the cover story for the July issue) someone suggested one of the other athletes on the trip. I'm pretty sure I've raced against several of the people before.

The most recent two degrees incident happened last weekend. I was in Vancouver and a friend suggested we meet the BC rep for LOLE, an awesome brand of women specific sporting and lifestyle clothing. When we walked in Amoreena was just finishing David Leach's article. She was still wiping tears from her eyes. She knew both of the guys who died and one of their girlfriends. Like everyone I've talked to who read David's article, she thought it was great and really captured the personalities of those involved and how things can go wrong quickly, even for experienced paddlers.

We chatted for a minute or two about what they did wrong that day – going out in a gale and not wearing wetsuits or dry suits mainly – and then we continued on. The incident struck me again how much accidents like that ripple out to a much larger community. If you haven't read David's article pick up a copy and take a read. It's worth your time. And it's worth it for the huge community whose got your back, whether you know it or not.

In the next blog let's talk about some broader implications of the accident. Should taxpayers foot the bill for rescues or should we send the invoice to the rescued? Do the circumstances matter? What do you think? What did you think of David's article?

I look forward to hearing your opinions.