RE: [Paddlewise] Kayaking Safety

  I would second Ken's comments re: whitewater paddling.  The skills
that I brought from paddling an OC-1 (open canoe, single) in whitewater
were (and still are) invaluable when I began paddling a sea kayak.  Even
a 2 or 3 day introductory whitewater class can expose new skills and
perhaps a different way of "viewing" the waters we paddle.  Plus it's
just plain fun!

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Kayakn Ken [SMTP:KayaknKen_at_aol.com]
> Sent:	Tuesday, May 19, 1998 3:14 PM
> To:	PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net
> Subject:	[Paddlewise] Kayaking Safety
> 
>   If you really want to know how good/consistent your roll is in
> "heavy chop
> or in the reaction waves thrown up by heavy wakes on a narrow, winding
> river",
> try some moderate river paddling. I can't fully emphisize the
> cross-over
> benifits of whitewater paddling to ocean paddling. You will learn good
> boat
> control via boat lean & paddle technique. You will learn the value of
> staying
> "in" your boat. If you do swim, you'll learn to hold on to your boat &
> paddle.
> You will learn to read water. 
>   I wouldn't be so bold as to say that rolling is neccesary to safely
> enjoy
> kayaking. Many paddlers can't roll. Paying attention, paddling in a
> group,
> paddling in safe enviroments and other rescue techniques can serve you
> quite
> well. Many of these paddlers are far safer than those that don't grasp
> the
> limitations of their skills and equipment. 
>   On the other hand, nothing changed kayaking more for me than
> learning to
> roll. NOTHING!  Go ahead, do that deep brace, carve that gnarly turn,
> roll
> over to cool off on a sunny day, catch that wave!!! 
>   Rolling will add another color to your paddling palette. A very
> valuable
> one!
> 
> Ken Mannshardt
> Bay Area Sea Kayakers
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