Beautiful evening yesterday. 90 degrees, light winds, and warm water. Two folks decided to do a little kayaking on the lake. She had her pfd on, he didn't. They were hit by a jet ski who couldn't see them because he was looking into the setting sun. Both were knocked from their yaks. She came up, he didn't. It's been over 20 hours and they're still trying to find his body. It's about a mile from my house as the crow flies, and we fish that area when we go out. My daughter and I fished that same spot a few weeks ago. The kids and I went by our normal drop in spot this afternoon, which is close to the area, to pay our respects, and say a prayer for that young man's family. Having a pfd on might not have saved him from dying, but at least he would have popped up to the surface and had a fighting chance.

I know there are some strong opinions about pfd's on either side about wearing and not wearing. I even said, it's not a law around here, do it, don't do it, it's your life. All I can do is encourage safe kayaking. I'm not being preachy about it. I am to my family, who all know it's the first thing on and the last thing off...period. But as I stood there today with both my kids beside me, one on each side, I couldn't help but think about that 20 year old's family that may be standing across the lake from us, looking out over the water, holding on to each other, and waiting for one of the recovery units to hook into their son and bring him back to shore.

I guess I may sound a little preachy when I say, you may not do it for yourself, but by gosh, do it for the sake of your family. Wear a pfd.

The search and rescue boats are towards the middle of the photo. Lots of skiing and having a good time going on around them as you can see by the other boats.



Be safe out there guys.

Scott

http://sanangelolive.com/news/crashes/20...missing-kayaker

p.s. I chose that title because of a few descriptions i've heard lately of why some folks chose not to wear them. It's a just a small lake, and it's only about 6-8 feet up in that area. It's hot, water's warm, and probably a good swimmer. What's the point of wearing, right? It's not the ocean or the great lakes. Anything can happen...that's why. Ok, sorry, caught myself getting preachy, just hit a little close to home. Take care fellas.

Good PSA. I don't wear a PFD because I'm worried I'll do something stupid, I wear one because I know someone else will.

I fish mostly lakes and some of the lakes we have in DFW the idiot jet ski's and wake boats are just too dangerous besides I can't swim either and I have too much to live for to be stupid on the water so is a rule for me before I step in the yak the life vest is on and when I get off the water if I am alone a text is sent so it is known I am off the water and safe. Prayers to the family .

Update: They found him at around 4pm today. Very sad.

http://sanangelolive.com/news/crashes/20...craft-collision

I am not a fan of jet ski's at all but after reading the article it just sounds like a bad accident...sad. Prayers to the families, they won't be the same on either side of that.

on the other hand, if the sun is in your eyes to the point you can't see where you are going, you should slow down.

Very sad, I always wear the blow up variety, had it for 8 years now.

That's a tough one...he was only 20 years old and in college; he had a lot of life in front of him.

Always hate reading new like this! Prayers sent to family and friends.

I learned from this right here, when i was 13 my dad and i were going full throttle on lake ray hubbard something happened the the steering in the boat motor hooked a hard left and threw us out my dad dint have the kill switch clipped on him so the boat did donuts for 20 mins till it ran out of gas if i hadn't had my life jacket on i would of died, it happens so fast its easy to lose where is up and where is down. since then me and my dad always wear one and every time we clip ours on we laugh and say remember that time we sure learned out lesson.