Re: [Paddlewise] Landing a victim through surf

   OK, I need to add my two cents to this discussion. First of all, as several
others have said, lines in the surf are a really bad idea. I instruct people
to disconnect their paddle leashes when coming through the surf. Forget the
tow ropes. Likewise, rafting up and coming in through the surf is just asking
to compound the problem.
   As I see it, the victim is hypothermic and needs to get to shore now! If I
thought I could coach the person in through the surf, then I would come in
with them (at a safe distance beside them) and bring them in that way. At the
very least I could get them close enough to shore to where they could walk in
the rest of the way after they capsized, or someone else could wade out and
get them, or I could exit my boat and bring them in. 
   If they were too far gone that I didn't believe they could paddle, then I
think the next option would be to have them climb out of their boat and lie on
my back deck, arms around my waist with their feet apart and in the water for
stability. I believe I could land a person through all but the hairiest of
surf in this fashion. At the very least I could get them close enough to shore
so that if I did lose it and capsize I could exit my boat and swim (walk?) the
victim the rest of the way in. Trying to tow the victim in while they are in
the water holding onto your grabloop I do not see to be a viable option. What
happens when they lose their grip while you are hurdling towards shore on a
wave? How long will the swimmer be left alone while you try and turn around
and go back to get them?
   If the person is really that hypothermic then what happened to the boats
would be the least of my concerns. Besides, it's a funny thing about the surf
- everything usually ends up on the sand eventually. I believe I could
withstand the short swim without having to worry about also becoming
hypothermic, at least until I was on the shore and better able to deal with
it.

Scott
So.Cal.
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