Weather Issues and Safety Gear

Weather is always an issue in WaterTribe Events. The first 2 years of the WaterTribe Everglades Challenge, 2001 and 2002, weather certainly had a huge effect on the number of finishers, with only 37% and 20% finishing. Among the racers these first years were ManitouCruiser in 2001 and 2002, and ThereAndBackAgain in 2001, both of whom will be Challengers in the Ultimate Florida Challenge with me. Many have speculated that the higher percentage of finishers seen since, are a combination of better weather, preparedness, and training. Certainly the Watertribe Discussion Forum and the WaterTribe Magazine provide a wealth of information to help one prepare for a Challenge.

I found a link to a 5 part article written in 2001 in the St Petersburg Times by then Times Outdoor Editor Terry Tomlin, who participated in the first Challenge with paddling partner Jon Willis. The articles are a fun read. That first years Challenge began with 25-knot winds and 5-foot seas in Tampa Bay. Only 14 of the 27 starting boats even made it to the first checkpoint at 72 miles. (Note: the links often start with lots of blank space so you have to page down to get to each article).

Weather will always be an issue to some degree. It is expected during any week long event that weather will turn at some point. During my 2004 and 2005 Everglades Challenges we experienced weather that ranged from beautiful sunny warm days, to nights at freezing temperatures, fog with little to no visibility, windy days and nights with small craft warnings, and, days and nights with pouring rain.

The WaterTribe's infamous "Warning Page" mentions weather issues, along with the many other dangers of the race, and there are safety rules and equipment requirements to address these.

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
THIS IS A DANGEROUS EVENT
DO NOT ENTER THIS EVENT UNLESS YOU ARE AN EXPERT IN THE SMALL BOAT OF YOUR CHOICE

And speaking of safety equipment. I am very pleased to have been offered a loan from McMurdo Ltd, of their McMurdo® Fastfind Plus 406 MHz Personal Locator Beacon for use in my Ultimate Challenge.

The Fastfind Plus is a revolutionary hand-held Personal Locator Beacon that features a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver combined with a 406 MHz transmitter and 121.5 MHz homing signal. It is ideal for alerting the rescue services of an emergency during maritime, light aircraft and outdoor pursuits (where licensing allows).

I finally have all my gear for the Challenge. Now if only the weather will cooperate, we can really have some fun.