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The Event Report for Point Bonita Excursion
By: LaRhee Webster

On Sunday, March 14th, 2004, one of the BASK (Bay Area Sea Kayakers) paddlers, Ken Mannshardt, swallowed a bit too much water while paddling in the rocks and big waves off Point Bonita. His boat also swallowed too much water, and unlike Ken, folded in half and cracked. Both were rescued from the pounding waves and rocks by fellow paddlers and pulled to the little beach around the corner to the east of the point.

After pulling Ken and his boat from the water, the BASK group decided that neither boat nor paddler could make it back to Horseshoe cove unassisted, so the Point Bonita rangers were summoned, and the Coast Guard was called. Ken was made as comfortable as possible on the beach while a strategy was devised to get him out through the surf to the CG boat when it came. This was necessary because the Coast Guard will not land on a beach to do a rescue. Instead, they will send a hellicopter. It was determined that Ken could withstand an assisted surf launch and a helio would not be necessary.

When the CG arrived, Ken was put in the widest kayak the group had, and walked through the dumping surf where he was met by paddlers who rafted up on either side of him for stabilization. A pre-prepared tow line was attached, and thus supported, his was safely towed to the awaiting CG zodiac.

The photos pick up the story from the point where I remembered that I had packed my camera in my day hatch, which was right after Ken had been walked through the surf.

The story ends happily. After warming up and getting rid of all the swallowed seawater, Ken was able to join the group at the apres paddle get together at the Precidio Yacht Club on Horseshoe cove.

Ken's boat was duct-taped together and towed back to Horseshoe. Unlike Ken, its future paddling fate remains unknown at this time.

Now as to why Ken was swimming instead of being high and dry is his comfy Coaster, you will have to ask somebody else, because that is a whole other story indeed!

Cheers! LaRhee Webster

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This story starts in mid-progress. Read the report AT THE BOTTOM , then come back to the photos... After being walked through the surf, Ken is securely rafted on each side while 3 paddlers tow. Penny sweeps.	.Heading toward the zodiac...	..Ken gets in position to be transfered aboard.
The beach part of the rescue done, paddlers watch to make certain all goes well in the water.	While on the water, everything seems to be going well....	...while the main CG ship stands by.
The view from the beach just east of Point Bonita.	Paddlers and rangers continue to watch.	All seems to be going well and Ken is safely aboard the zodiac.
Paddlers hang out in case they are needed...	and watch to make sure things continue to go right...	while on the beach, people start to relax a bit....
..as the zodiac positions itself to transfer Ken to the big CG ship.	This helmet sticker rather says it all...	Winding down on the beach.
The transfer yak is brought back...	...while things seem OK out on the CG ship...	...and brought into shore...
for an easy surf landing.	The CG zodiac leaves...	..and the big boat heads toward Horseshoe cove..
while we watch...	..hoping Ken will be OK.	Now it's time to get in our own boats...
...and head back to the barn..	..stopping for a photo...	of Jack Pines and LaRhee along the way.