Re: [Paddlewise] How many backups?

>It was only after I had unloaded the boat and put on my
>drysuit that I realized that I had forgotten my pump and paddlefloat!
>
>Since I was alone, my only option for self-rescue was my eskimo roll.

I wonder how many folks use a reenter without paddle float?  These
techniques are on my list of "I should practice this".  I have only
done it in a WW kayak and never on the river (only in the pool and
calm lake).  One of my fellow kayak club members practices it regularly.
There are several variations that I've seen.  The one I use is a cowboy
entry over the rear of the kayak, turning and entering the cockpit
feet first. Another cowboy entry goes into a sitting position on the
rear deck (real tippy!) and drops in butt first.  Another uses a paddle
for minimal support.  The paddle is held with one hand at the back of
the cockpit, similar to the British style paddle float reentry (i.e. without
wedging the paddle beneath the rear deck bungies.

The first two are "relatively" easy in a WW kayak, but may be a challenge
in a sea kayak.  The latter I've only seen done with a sea kayak and have
never tried myself.

The reason I ask about this is that the techniques seem that they would
have  a low probability of success in rough conditions due to the very
tippy behavior of the kayaks when you're up on the rear deck without
extra "outrigger" bouyancy.  Are these useful in real conditions?

Mike





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