[Paddlewise] Spare Paddles

Dear List,

Let me begin by expressing my appreciation to all those who posted to
address my previous questions.  I asked about the emergency gear that
people carried and also about knives.  I, and I'm sure many on the list,
have really gotten a wealth of information from your responses.  THANKS!!!

The next topic I would like to generate discussion on is "spare paddles".
It certainly makes a lot of sense to me to have several spares traveling
with a group and, of course, to have a spare when you're traveling alone.
My questions have more to do with the logistics of using the spare.  

I have seen many people carry a two-piece spare on the rear deck.  I wonder
how hard it is to access this paddle when the need arises.  Do you swing
around and grab it yourself (maybe in conditions that were rough enough for
you to loose or break your primary paddle) or do you expect a paddling
partner to get it out?  If the rear mounted spare is attached for easy
grabbing from the cockpit, will it be washed away by rough water?

So we go to the front deck.  With all the gear I like to carry just ahead
of the cockpit, I wonder if there is room on the front deck for a
conventional two-piece paddle?  I sometimes carry a two foot long single
blade paddle but I'd like to identify something better.  In a past post,
Chuck Holst wrote:

>I carry my spare paddle on the foredeck. Because Greenland paddles are   one-
>piece with narrow blades, it is very easy to slip them under the bungies
>while under way. This makes it very easy to switch back and forth, and to   
>grab the spare and roll up with it, should that be necessary.
>
 
I have also read (perhaps from Chuck, I forget) of the use of a "storm"
paddle.  I actually haven't seen this described, however I would guess that
this is just a short version of the Greenland paddle.  Is this true?
Perhaps this is another foredeck alternative.

Well, I would like to invite the list to discuss this.  Tell us what you
carry, where and how you "whip it out".  Enquiring minds want to know.

Thanks in advance,   Bill Leonhardt
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************