[Paddlewise] in search of the perfect paddlefloat

From: Julio MacWilliams <juliom_at_cisco.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 13:37:21 -0800 (PST)
I just finished the first prototype of a new paddlefloat I have designed,
and now I am about to get in the water and test all the things that can be
done with it. Here is my test plan.

1- Attach it to a blade and do a reentry and roll with it.

2- Attach it to a blade while upside down without getting out of the kayak.
   That might include putting the float under the paddlers neck to take
   a few breaths.

3- While in the kayak, lay on the water holding the paddlefloat behind
   the neck. Watch the seagulls and take a nap.

4- Roll with the paddlefloat alone, no paddle.

5- Open the paddlefloat in two and use it as extra flotation while
   swiming. See whether one can fall asleep with the head comfortable
   out of the water.

6- Put the float on one blade, the paddle perpendicular to the boat and
   going under the deck lines, and stand on the cockpit with one foot
   on the paddle shaft closer to the float. That I saw yesterday on
   the video "Amphibious Man" that John Heath distributes, where the
   qajaq champion of Greenland uses that to relieve himself. I find that
   techinque very useful to look for people or check the shoreline with 
   binoculars.

This paddle float is solid and consists of two pieces that folded on
each other under normal use.

Would you folks please add more test items that you would expect 
a perfect paddle float to have?

Thanks for your input.

- Julio
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Received on Tue Mar 17 1998 - 13:34:10 PST

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