RE: [Paddlewise] How many backups?

I am having fun trying to learn some of Julio's backups.  Last night I
worked on swimming with a kayak and once again had a very hard time doing
it.  At least I got one breath in before bailing out of the boat so I am
making some progress.  I haven't tried rolling up on half a paddle pulled
off the back deck.  I'm going to try that one next time I'm in a pool.

As for my backups, I have what I consider to be enough.  I have a solid roll
(combat tested) on both sides.  It is very rare that my roll fails me.
Should it fail, I have an inflatable paddle-float and I do a paddle-float
rentry roll.  This technique works fabulously even in the roughest
conditions. I can do a re-entry roll without the paddle-float, but I like
using the paddlefloat since it gives me a solid outrigger to stabilize the
boat while I pump it out.

Oh yeah, I also have a pump that is teathered to my boat, a knife to deal
with any teathers (should I get tangled in them), a spare paddle, lots of
float bags tied in place (even with my bulk head boats), and a full
assortment of signalling gear (radio, smoke flares, aeral flares).  Also,
unless I'm in a river and not expecting to flip, I dress for a brief
emersion in the water (usually just a light wet suit -- not counting white
water or surfing, of course, where I dress for extended emersion).

I feel pretty safe in rough, open ocean conditions - even when I'm paddling
alone (though I usually prefer to be in a group of at least three paddlers).


--Tim
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