SAFTEY ON FISHING SKIS

I WOULD LIKE TO BRING A SAFTEY INCIDENT TO THE ATTENTION OF ALL 
                         PADDLERS VENTURING OUT TO SEA 

On Sunday the 29th of March there was an incident just north of the Umkomaas river when a fellow paddler found himself in a serious predicament after suffering a heart attack while out at sea. This person can consider himself extremely lucky that he not only had other paddlers around him, but there was also a boat in close proximity to come to his rescue, which probably saved his life. Hopefully this is a situation we will all learn from and think about twice before disappearing into the deep by yourself. Always paddle with a partner or group and stay within eye contact of each other. At the moment there are a few clubs that insist on a communication device/cell phone/hand held 29 MHz radio as part of there safety equipment. This is precisely the reason why safety measures have been put in place. Please also make sure that you have told a friend or next of kin when, where, how long and the approximate area you are going to be paddling.
The only way we are going to keep ahead of the authorities dictating there heavy handed regulations is to be proactive and sensible where safety issues are concerned.
Tight lines and paddle safe.

GREG THOMPSON