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Background
It all got off to a pretty good start, with a launch on my local slipway, next to the rowing club, for another 2026 jig test session. My alboran FX3 was equipped with the STG EVO ultra motor kit, my lithium battery behind the seat. The water was perfectly flat, with excellent visibility. After two hours of fishing with squid and a fair number of cuttlefish, I was drifting, engine off, calm and relaxed, facing the bridge in the central channel. The water was between 7 and 8°C, the sun was finally beginning to break through the clouds and I was thinking that around midday I'd be able to have a picnic in the sun... And then the incident...
The incident
I hear a noise behind me, turn around and a few yards away, some kind of skiff solo comes at me full speed, I yell, he turns around, but it's too late. He hits me at full speed, coming up on my albo from the side and breaking my rod in the rod holder. My kayak lists heavily and I have no option but to throw myself into the water to prevent my float from flipping over...
I'm in the water at 7°C, I haven't let go of the rod in my hand and I'm paddling. The guy apologizes, telling me he didn't see me, my kayak is red, I've got a visibility mast with a big orange pennant, I've got a fluorescent yellow watch jacket and a bright red vest, it's hard not to see me...
The explanation
It's logical that he didn't see me, on this boat, he sails with his back to the front and all in his effort, he was at full throttle, he didn't think to take a look at his course, something he had to do every 4 or 5 strokes of the oar. As for me, I was fishing from a standstill, so if he'd turned around first he'd have seen me...
The ascent
Once in the water, I see a boat with 4 rowers and a coxswain in the direction of travel who has seen everything and approaches to help. Leaning on their stern, I climb back into my float on the free side (it's also important to choose a side free of accessories). An inventory shows me that, apart from the rod that was in the rear rod holder and which broke clean off, I haven't lost anything.
The importance of training and appropriate clothing
In water at 7/8°C, you don't stay in the water long. I wore technical underwear. A special winter 3 mm neoprene wetsuit, kayak dungarees with integrated socks, a watch jacket with neck and wrist cuffs, diving shoes, gloves and, of course, the vest.
As I often do the exercise of voluntarily getting out of the water and getting back into the float, at the moment of impact, I knew that if I had stayed in the float, it would have turned over completely. My reflex to throw myself into the water and not turn the kayak over saved the rest of my gear.
As a result of this training, I knew right away what I had to do to get back on my float quickly, aided by the back edge of the 5-man coxswain next to me.
I've made this little comeback to highlight a few essential principles for kayak fishing :
- Wear your vest with your flashlight.
- Don't overload your kayak.
- Wear specific clothing for this practice and adapted to the season. With my 3 mm, I didn't feel the coldness of the water.
- Regularly practising safety drills, ascent in the float and the correct gestures should be a reflex.
Of course, once I'd climbed back into the kayak and put everything back in order, the session stopped - you don't wait to get cold once you're wet. I went back to the rowing club next door with the person in charge of the snag, where we exchanged numbers, as he's going to reimburse me for my rod. It's the least I can do, being 100% at fault. An incident that has a happy ending thanks to experience gained on the water over the years, good equipment and continuous training, there's no such thing as zero risk.
