kayakers body found on Victoria beach

Here is the wind direction and speed on the two days...the paddler left Oak Bay Marina at around 12PM on Monday Jan 29,

observations at Victoria Gonzales...put in was Oak Bay Marina...

Note: 23 tens of degrees is 230 degrees, which is approximately SW

Wind direction before Noon, was more easterly. After 2PM, quick veer to SW with rapidly rising wind to 25knots.

Conditions seem reasonable for a several hour paddle off Oak Bay...around the Bird Islets perhaps.

High slack turning to ebb around noon, but low currents probably until at least 2PM, then accelerating ebb flushing oak bay water through Trial Island/Golf course toward the Breakwater, which would convey the accident victim in that direction for many hours...conceivably. Seems unlikely the victim would have paddled through the TrialIsland/Golf course passage area with the intent to buck the ebb coming back, and would have faced oncoming SW wind in the afternoon, with opposing tidal current vs wind in late afternoon. Late afternoon in there would have been quite rough, coming through Trial Island/Golf course toward Harling Pt.

Body was discovered on Jan 30 at Gonzales Bay. Wearing PFD.

Date/Time Wind Dir (10s deg) Wind Spd (km/h)

1/29/2018 0:00 12 8
1/29/2018 1:00 36 12
1/29/2018 2:00 1 20
1/29/2018 3:00 1 17
1/29/2018 4:00 2 12
1/29/2018 5:00 36 11
1/29/2018 6:00 3 3
1/29/2018 7:00 4 12
1/29/2018 8:00 34 14
1/29/2018 9:00 6 4
1/29/2018 10:00 29 3
1/29/2018 11:00 6 5
1/29/2018 12:00 8 9
1/29/2018 13:00 11 4
1/29/2018 14:00 24 26
1/29/2018 15:00 27 23
1/29/2018 16:00 26 30
1/29/2018 17:00 25 37
1/29/2018 18:00 27 40
1/29/2018 19:00 25 31
1/29/2018 20:00 23 39
1/29/2018 21:00 26 31
1/29/2018 22:00 25 33
1/29/2018 23:00 26 29
1/30/2018 0:00 24 32
1/30/2018 1:00 21 24
1/30/2018 2:00 19 17
1/30/2018 3:00 20 20
1/30/2018 4:00 19 19
1/30/2018 5:00 20 27
1/30/2018 6:00 26 26
1/30/2018 7:00 29 10
1/30/2018 8:00 27 20
1/30/2018 9:00 24 27
1/30/2018 10:00 25 29
1/30/2018 11:00 23 41
1/30/2018 12:00 25 25
1/30/2018 13:00 24 27
1/30/2018 14:00 23 26
1/30/2018 15:00 26 29
1/30/2018 16:00 22 36
1/30/2018 17:00 23 34
1/30/2018 18:00 25 23
1/30/2018 19:00 25 23
1/30/2018 20:00 25 24
1/30/2018 21:00 27 9
1/30/2018 22:00 28 14
1/30/2018 23:00 28 17

I am tracking down the type of boat the paddler had..a Necky <something>, reported to be not super stable..

I have paddled with the individual concerned on the outer side of Effingham Island in the Broken Group with a following sea of 7-8ft wind waves overlaid on low swell, with following wind. And the individual has paddled extensively on the coast.
 
Chris:
Is there any word on when (or if) the police or family are going to release the name of the paddler and any other details?
The paddling community in Victoria isn't that large, and people are wondering and worrying that it may be a friend.

'Traumatic neck injury'could be anything from seal attack, collision with a propeller, or rock or debris impact.

Hopefully we can learn something from this sad situation.

Thanks for the PFD info - the news reports made it sound like he wasn't wearing one.
 
February-06-18
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It is with heavy hearts that his family and friends announce the tragic and sudden death of John Tyszka. John died in a kayaking accident, a pastime that he enjoyed for many many years. He was a very skilled paddler and shared his love of the outdoors and nature with many a friend. John leaves behind his two older brothers, Michael and Nicholas, and his loving mother, Celia. John came out to Victoria as a young man and decided this was the place to live. To those who had the pleasure of knowing him, John was kind and intelligent. He generously shared his passion for food, art and music. He had eclectic tastes, was well read, and was strong. John had a wonderful sense of humour and a memorable laugh. He was proud and fearless and lived his life on his own terms. He was a very unique and beautiful being, and will be deeply missed by all those with whom he shared his life.

Note correction...

Wind direction before Noon, was more easterly. After 2PM, quick veer to SW with rapidly rising wind to 25knots
should read in km/hr not 25 knots...wind was around 13 knots after two oclock.

Wind direction before Noon, was more easterly. After 2PM, quick veer to SW with rapidly rising wind to 25km/hr
 
I would say that all of the possibilities you mention for a traumatic neck injury are possible, including deadheads, and the rocky shore itself...I'm still puzzling over what happened...it seems very much an outlier risk scenario.
 
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