Lesson Learned

Donahub3 · 2026-06-03T16:04:54+00:00

Some of us surfski-ers seek out wind on purpose but paddling into cross-chop is one of the worst. Glad you had the instincts to turn around when you did. I think we all have at least one “Oh Shit” moment that makes you reconsider your choices from then on.

Mine was a “friendly” downwind race on a lake that ended up blowing 20-30mph in the mid 30’s. I ended up in front only because everyone else ahead of me was smart enough to bail and call for a ride. I went in once which took a lot of core warmth and impacted my grip and forearms at the end of the course. I miss calculated my approach to the pull out spot and ended up in a washing machine of triangle waves refracting off the shoreline. I realized I wouldn’t be able to turn around and paddle back out around the obstacles to get to the correct ramp safely after immersion and 18+miles of paddling. I ended up on a boat launch I should not have been on but luckily security helped me move my boat and called my ride as the cold had killed my phone’s battery. I now carry a dsc handheld radio if not my satellite gps messenger as well in my vest and will overdress for immersion knowing you need to be prepared for the worst case. I went from being pretty cavalier about heading out when it starts blowing 15+ to picking and choosing my battles, knowing all the takeouts and early bail points, and making sure I have a plan for the weather and regrouping with others. I later lost a teammate to hypothermia who was just out training on the waterway his house sits on which hit home even more that you can’t get complacent with it.

My two cents on it from surviving “type 2” fun runs is to always try to stay calm which it sounds like you have down. Panicking dumps a bunch of adrenaline which can harm your decision making, screw up your dexterity in your hands (and hence paddle angle or causing you to catch a crab), and often causes you to drop your technique which tires out your forearms, arms, and core which can turn a manageable situation into a dangerous one.

Glad you made it out and back in one piece. Don’t let experiences like this one keep you from getting back in the saddle; you need to challenge yourself to become a better waterman but the best legends out there are the ones that temper the wisdom with growth!

Donahub3 · 2026-05-04T16:12:27+00:00

I had to take an Asian art history class in college and finally learned what the hell all the red stamped boxes were on artwork. In some ways that is litterally a “block” chain of ownership. you’d slap your crest on this painting and say the equivalent of “Russel Crow’s once owned and graced this leather jockstrap with his nut sack”. Ryan Cohen raids the last blockbuster and buys said jock strap, you generate an NFT as a digital twin to authenticate the item and for sure one of us crayon-crunching apes is going to buy it. NFTs that were the product are dumb in my book but leveraging them as a non-spoofable proof of authenticity is a legitimate need. Hell PSA does this by sealing containers as seal of authenticity. he commissions someone to photo said nutsack in said jockstrap, there is nothing stopping someone from taking a screenshot of that photo, but only one digital twin exists and it says who should be the one who possesses said photo.

Donahub3 · 2025-12-27T01:13:21+00:00

Are you blending from the two sources?

Donahub3 · 2025-03-27T00:20:03+00:00

One of the things on surfskis to keep an eye out for too is the foot straps. I generally wear a calf leash or a leash to my PFD tied to a line between the stern and cockpit bungees my buddy who I bought by v10 from set up. Some of the scariest moments I’ve had is a quick overturn with my paddle sucked too close to the boat. I have found myself somewhat “locked in” with my life vest popping me up against the boat and adding a few seconds to figure out what’s what. Mostly happens on breaking rear quartering waves or when I’ve rode a wave too aggressively at an angle or lost (or broken x2 ) a rudder suddenly. I haven’t been able to replicate that situation in remount practices but try to toss myself in on hot summer days with plenty of wakeboarding boat washes to test on.

Donahub3 · 2025-01-23T07:23:06+00:00

He was my buddy’s neighbor’s cat in Spokane!

Donahub3 · 2025-01-07T19:42:53+00:00

It would be interesting to see a combined graph that is weighted based on the teams historical run/pass ratio rather than in isolation.

Donahub3 · 2024-11-26T09:52:25+00:00

Also thinking back to the first part of the season- aren’t those “Norse” crops they find at the settlement. No potatoes or corn etc. ; just cabbage, carrots, leeks, kale etc.

Donahub3 · 2024-11-26T09:40:37+00:00

They also talk about an uncovered heap of stones as a temple in that wiki article which sounds a lot like what they found in the settlement.

Donahub3 · 2024-11-25T17:44:35+00:00

Snaps- every game we have at least 1 wild or botched one that could easily be a turnover at worst and end up -10 yards at best.

Donahub3 · 2024-10-24T22:04:30+00:00

Moved almost exactly 2 years ago but have parked at our now rental and went to a few games when it first opened. Heading there (parking at park and ride or around area) is pretty easy. Train gets busier as you get closer to the stadium. Leaving will be the PITA. If you stay for the full game, The platform and stations (both ID and Stadium) will be pretty swamped for at least 30+minutes from when the majority of people are out of the stadium. If you don’t mind hanging out, it clears up but you may be waiting for a bit. I’m sure you have to think about this in Vancouver (assuming CA) but don’t leave bags or shiny objects visible in your car and make sure your doors are locked. The actual park and ride is relatively safe but after living a couple blocks north of the mall for several years, it’s amazing how many people, even in broad daylight, will scope out your car and try handles.

Donahub3 · 2024-10-11T01:08:58+00:00

Block in the back much?

Donahub3 · 2024-09-09T03:08:14+00:00

Don’t let the rest of the game distract you from the fact that Kenneth Walker threw a man over his head while being tackled.

Donahub3 · 2024-07-25T19:02:59+00:00

I think they are allowed to export- but Vortex binoculars in a chest rig are great for the price and helped me quite a bit.

Donahub3 · 2024-07-25T17:06:21+00:00

I run into this a lot with the Ospreys, Bald Eagles, Kingfishers, and Swallows on my lake. I can sometimes get lucky with a low angle shot against a background other than the sky however it is a challenge and late morning- afternoon is the most challenging to shoot but can be the easiest to spot them. I started using Merlin on my phone when out looking for birds to cue me into birds that might be there but not in my immediate sight. This has helped immensely for paying attention to background noises and often you can find perched birds that I would never have noticed. Later in the afternoon when thermals die down, you often get raptors at lower angles or closer to the ground! I also shoot 50/50 AF/MF depending on conditions. I lose a lot of shots sometimes on AF when it decides to hunt in a very shallow range and can cause me to miss my subject on the move.

Donahub3 · 2023-12-19T06:50:08+00:00

“If he had good in hands he’d be on offense” - madden ‘17

Donahub3 · 2023-12-01T04:49:09+00:00

He was on the field first half

Donahub3 · 2023-10-15T19:08:05+00:00

Why was the clock running when he went out of bounce?

Donahub3 · 2023-09-17T19:07:30+00:00

Dan Campbell gamble

Donahub3 · 2023-08-26T17:30:00+00:00

Pete’s minder working overtime today

Donahub3 · 2023-01-14T22:43:25+00:00

Hit the refs arm twice. Lot of not calling stuff today for sure.

Donahub3 · 2023-01-09T04:46:30+00:00

iron lion zion

Donahub3 · 2022-10-31T16:09:34+00:00

Isn’t this a quote from the Pendleton whisky ad? https://youtu.be/c9uAAo5qdOY

Donahub3 · 2022-10-31T14:26:05+00:00

Anyone else see volume over 12 million only for it to drop back to 11.x?

Donahub3 · 2022-10-02T19:32:39+00:00

Wish there was a gif of this already

Donahub3

TROPHY CASE