Re: [Paddlewise] FW: sponsons

From: Greg Stamer <gstamer_at_magicnet.net>
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 23:25:41 -0500
At 02:11 PM 1/30/98 +1100, Jim Croft wrote:
>> ...  Whereas they probably have no place in sudden storm
>> conditions, sponsons are probably worth having for towing an
>> incapacitated boat and/or paddler.
>
>There have been a couple of instances on our club trips when such
>devices would have been handy.  When a normally adequate paddler became
>seasick in big seas to the extent of being unable to stay upright, one
>person had to tow the victim, while another had to hold him and his boat
>upright while being colourfully spewed upon, so the tower had two dead
>weights to deal with...

Just an idea....

A clever technique that I have only experimented with during safety clinics
is to fit *each* end of the victims paddle with an inflated paddlefloat.
This gives a tremendous amount of support for even very weak attempts at
bracing. A successful use of this method was published in a SK magazine
accident report four or more years ago. Depending on the circumstances, an
incapacitated paddler may very well be able to stay upright with this
method during a tow without having to raft up with another kayak.

Greg Stamer
Orlando, Florida


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Received on Thu Jan 29 1998 - 20:25:49 PST

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