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Stories like this just boggle the mind.
10 miles of open water is a push for seasoned adult paddlers never mind a 8 year old.

The comment about the "rogue wave" irks me as well.
It implies that "if" they hadn't encountered one, the fathers decision to attempt such a trip would of been the right one.
Anyone that has canoed big water knows that big waves are a fact of life not just a fluke to be unconcerned about.
I feel for the family.

I could even understand it if they were in a tandem kayak with spray skirts and a bilge pump but an open boat was just asking for trouble.

Things can change too quick to commit to such a long crossing in an open boat even if the present conditions seem OK.

This spring I was on a large MI lake (Higgins) and enjoying the flat surface conditions to peer down into the depths at a drop off. I noticed a slight breeze riffled the water and we couldn't see down much anymore. Less than 10 mins later and it was a good thing we were in sea kayaks with spray skirts.

I sat in on a Canoecopia talk 2 yrs ago and ever since then its bothered me. The speaker mentioned some people that had needed rescued from L Superior. The couple was in the audience. Rather than being humbled about the decision they made to try a long crossing in a tandem kayak alone. They seemed to enjoy their 15 mins of fame. Adding some misinformation too, such as, it was against the law to bring bear spray into Cdn. I argued the point. But he was convinced he was an authority on the issue, since he was the one getting all the attention.

It's too bad we learn from other's mistakes and bad luck. Then again, and with all due respect ... it could have been in the car a mile from home....

I looked at a map and it looks more like 6 miles of open water so that's, what, maybe an hour and a half paddle in decent conditions? Sounds like they paddled to the island spent the day there and this happened on the return trip?

A mile from shore? That's too bad but ya know, being a mile upwind from shore isn't all that unusual in the BW/Q.

2 hours in 55 degree water? For the sake of argument let's say 1 hour and double the body mass. Would you be able to survive and be rescued after reaching shore w/o help?

I was always told you cannot bring pepper spray into Canada unless it was specifically labeled for use on bears and not people (mace) and I've never even brought any. That's just one of many conversations at the window over the years.

Times (tragedies) like this, I sometimes think some folks have been been sold a bill of goods. A PFD will save your life! Bear spray will save your life! You need both! Never mind the fact that you need to know how they are intended to work in the first place, RTFM.

While both could if save your life, I guess, if used correctly. One or the other in the wrong hands and the wrong conditions might give some folks a false sense of security. Ever try to swim any distance with a PFD on? Can you even tell which way to swim a mile out? Will you remember to consider which way the wind was blowing before you decide you need to spray a threatening bear?

Do either of these two well endorsed products come with a Mulligan type extended warranty?

Here's a bit more info on the same accident.

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