On Sun, 20 Sep 1998, Gerald Foodman wrote: <SNIP> > What is the danger of spine or neck or back injury when getting knocked over > in shallow water? I have been there many times with no hint of injury, but > am I pushing the odds? Does anyone know of cases of such injury? > > Jerry The danger is real, but the chance is minimal if you practice the proper technique of tucking your body forward as if to hug the foredeck whenever you flip. At the Kayak Academy, we teach this from day one, whether it be sea kayaking or whitewater, and we reinforce this concept constantly whenever we have students try something that may result in a capsize. "Kiss the Cockpit Coaming" is a mantra that we should all remember, although I wouldn't necessarily recommend playing the Telephone Game with it. Judging by your description of mellow surf on sandy beaches, you should be just fine if you always tuck forward. It will be up to you to get this concept into a reflex, and to exercise judgement about not surfing big shorebreak where waves break in very shallow water. Happy surfing! kevin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Sep 21 1998 - 08:58:52 PDT
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