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By Tom Rooks
In November, the water was cold in Bellingham Bay, Washington. Lanny “Bip” Sokol was a 48-year-old emergency-room doctor, Ironman triathlete, cross-country skier, and experienced surf-ski kayaker. He was also a devoted husband and father of two young sons.
Sokol set out for an evening paddle with a fellow accomplished kayaker, prepared with a headlamp for nightfall. Conditions were mild, with winds of five to 10 m.p.h., but the wind shifted unexpectedly, and water conditions worsened.
As the wind intensified, they turned back. Sokol capsized, and his kayak was swept away. Despite wearing a dry suit and life vest, he couldn’t overcome the tide and wind to reach the shore. His friend tried to help but after several failed attempts left to seek assistance.
After a massive search effort, including two Coast Guard motor lifeboats, two rescue boats from other agencies, two search aircraft, and a large shoreline search party, Sokol was found unresponsive three hours later.
Safety First: A Rower’s Responsibility
As rowers, we are mariners before we are athletes. Coaches bear responsibility for the safety of every individual who steps onto the water under their leadership. Our community is passionate, often volunteering countless hours to the sport, but this dedication can lead sometimes to tunnel vision, where performance goals overshadow essential safety considerations. Cold water increases the risks exponentially, and recognizing those dangers is crucial for every rowing program.
Understanding Cold-Water Risks
The National Center for Cold Water Safety and the National Weather Service caution that water temperatures below 60 degrees F. are dangerous, with risks increasing as temperatures drop. The sequence of cold-water shock includes:
· Gasp Reflex: Sudden immersion can trigger an involuntary gasp, causing immediate drowning if underwater.
· Breathing Difficulties: Hyperventilation, lasting one to five minutes, makes basic movements challenging.
· Cardiovascular Stress: Elevated pulse and blood pressure can lead to exhaustion and impaired motor skills.
· Hypothermia: Prolonged exposure cools the body rapidly, leading to confusion, loss of motor control, and unconsciousness.
Panic can intensify each of these stages, making survival even harder.
Reevaluating Safety Standards
USRowing used to recommend, and many teams and clubs follow, a combined air and water temperature of 90 degrees F. for safe rowing, with some clubs adopting a 100-degree rule. These standards can be a decent starting point for assessing cold-temperature risk, but they fail to account for the much greater risk of cold water versus cold air. Rowing in 65-degree air with 35-degree water is far riskier than 35-degree air with 65-degree water.
In addition, safety decisions must factor in more than just temperature:
Shell Type: Are larger, more stable boats being used?
Weather: Are wind, rain, or snow in the forecast?
Current Conditions: Is the current manageable?
Experience and Skill: Are rowers prepared for cold weather and water?
Safety Drills: Has the crew practiced cold-water emergency procedures?
Protective Gear: Do coxswains have anti-exposure gear? Are rowers equipped with waterproof layers, pogies, and warm headgear?
Other Watercraft: Are there other boats that could pose a wake or capsize risk?
Cold-Water Rowing Best Practices
To mitigate cold-water risks, consider these safety strategies:
Use Stable Boats: Larger boats with more oars provide better balance.
Match Experience to Conditions: Assign crews based on skill levels.
Keep Moving: Avoid long pauses to prevent chilling.
Stay Near Shore: Loop near safe exit points rather than venturing far.
Limit Pauses at the Catch: Minimize drills that increase capsize risks.
Set Clear Cutoffs: Establish and respect conditions that warrant ending practice.
Monitor Coxswains: They’re especially vulnerable to hypothermia.
Carry Safety Gear: Use life jackets and consider wearing waist-pack inflatables when rowing without a coach.
If You Fall Into Cold Water
Stay Calm: Avoid panic; control your breathing.
Stay Afloat: Use or put on a life jacket if available.
Plan Your Actions: Visualize and communicate your next steps.
Limit Attempts to Re-board: Set a limit for re-boarding attempts; otherwise, get on top of the boat or wait for rescue.
Call for Help: Use a VHF radio or phone to summon assistance immediately.
A Personal Reflection
As a Coast Guard cutter swimmer and boat coxswain, I worked in search and rescue in Washington, Alaska, and Maine. The priorities of cold-water immersion response are the same as they are for a rower and coach: slow down, stay calm, regain control over breathing and heart rate, make a plan before trying to execute it, and call for help early.
The night Sokol died was the most devastating of my 22 years in search and rescue. I was the command duty officer coordinating the response when our crew recovered him. Hearing “Chief, we’ve recovered the victim; there are no signs of life” over the radio, with his wife standing in front of me, was heartbreaking. Despite a small search area, expert rescuers, and his wearing the best safety gear, we couldn’t save him. He’d been in water that was too cold for too long. I vowed never to underestimate the risk of boating on cold water again.
In 2017, the rowing community lost three athletes to cold-water accidents in just two months. Last year, no USRowing members died while rowing. This progress shows our growing commitment to safety, but it’s up to all of us to maintain that momentum.
Our sport is only as safe as any rower or coach’s next decision. Each of those decisions, and the standards we follow, even when inconvenient to other goals, can be the difference between a safe practice and a tragedy. Let’s continue to make safety our first priority.
Tom Rooks is the USRowing Director of Safeguarding.
