PITBoat
Petty Officer 1st Class
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2018
- Messages
- 286
Got into a little trouble on the lake today, and for a brief period, it flashed through my mind that that could really be it for me.
It was kinda windy (upper teens gusting low 20s), and I foolishly anchored upwind from the shoreline with the full brunt of the wind and current hitting us unprotected. It was an area that I thought was shallow a ways out from shore, and I wanted to let the kids practice swiming there (with jackets) where they could touch bottom.
3-4' is what I was wanting, but before I knew it, we were at 2' and less. The anchor wasn't grabbing well, so I got out with the idea of pushing the boat out a little deeper and trying get the anchor to catch a little further out. In the process of fighting that, we were moving, not so much toward shore but somewhat parallel to it. I ended up chest deep, then just after I gave the anchor a pitch, I found I couldn't touch bottom anymore.
I don't call myself a strong swimmer (obviously). I can get about in the water though, and usually just have a jacket with me within reach since wearing it makes it harder to actually swim. Well I had no plans to be in over my head this time, and didn't even have one with me. That feeling of suddenly losing control is not pleasant. I've had it before in the water, but not quite like that.
My one desire was of course to get back to the boat (which was drifting faster than me and getting away). I expended some effort in that, tried to calm myself, prayed of course (Lord Jesus!), tried it on my back but the water was a little rough and felt like it was gonna wash over me some like that. I turned back on my stomach and called for my son to throw me the throwable quick. He pitched it to me, but I don't know if I got it or if my other son got to me and handed it to me. I think it didn't make it to me because of the wind. At any rate he was cool and gave me his arm and started swimming toward the boat while I had the throwable (old and not very floaty) in my other hand and kicked myself.
I was just a little winded and tried to continue to calm down and breathe a little easier. My other son jumped in with the tube (flat) and rope attached and we eventually made it back to the boat unscathed but a little shook up.
I thought after the fact that had I not immediately tried to make the boat, I could have just resigned myself to treading water and gradually working with the current to get to shore instead of panicking and tiring myself trying to reach the boat (right now!).
Anyway, I'm thankful to come out of that, and wanted to share it.
It was kinda windy (upper teens gusting low 20s), and I foolishly anchored upwind from the shoreline with the full brunt of the wind and current hitting us unprotected. It was an area that I thought was shallow a ways out from shore, and I wanted to let the kids practice swiming there (with jackets) where they could touch bottom.
3-4' is what I was wanting, but before I knew it, we were at 2' and less. The anchor wasn't grabbing well, so I got out with the idea of pushing the boat out a little deeper and trying get the anchor to catch a little further out. In the process of fighting that, we were moving, not so much toward shore but somewhat parallel to it. I ended up chest deep, then just after I gave the anchor a pitch, I found I couldn't touch bottom anymore.
I don't call myself a strong swimmer (obviously). I can get about in the water though, and usually just have a jacket with me within reach since wearing it makes it harder to actually swim. Well I had no plans to be in over my head this time, and didn't even have one with me. That feeling of suddenly losing control is not pleasant. I've had it before in the water, but not quite like that.
My one desire was of course to get back to the boat (which was drifting faster than me and getting away). I expended some effort in that, tried to calm myself, prayed of course (Lord Jesus!), tried it on my back but the water was a little rough and felt like it was gonna wash over me some like that. I turned back on my stomach and called for my son to throw me the throwable quick. He pitched it to me, but I don't know if I got it or if my other son got to me and handed it to me. I think it didn't make it to me because of the wind. At any rate he was cool and gave me his arm and started swimming toward the boat while I had the throwable (old and not very floaty) in my other hand and kicked myself.
I was just a little winded and tried to continue to calm down and breathe a little easier. My other son jumped in with the tube (flat) and rope attached and we eventually made it back to the boat unscathed but a little shook up.
I thought after the fact that had I not immediately tried to make the boat, I could have just resigned myself to treading water and gradually working with the current to get to shore instead of panicking and tiring myself trying to reach the boat (right now!).
Anyway, I'm thankful to come out of that, and wanted to share it.