JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com wrote: > > In a message dated 98-11-06 08:52:44 EST, gstamer_at_magicnet.net writes: > > << > Ralph's idea of putting the victim in a stable boat and having a strong > swimmer guide them to shore has merit. As an enhancement, I would place a > paddlefloat over each end of the victim's paddle blades outside of the surf > zone. If the victim has enough strength and dexterity to hold the paddle, > this might add to the chance of success. >> > > Greg's idea is one of the most interesting additions yet. Dual flotation on > the paddle! I was once on a July Manhattan circumnavigation when on the narrow part of the East River (between Manhattan and Roosevelt Island) we got hit with a horrendous summer lightning storm with winds in excess of 40 miles an hour and visibility dropped to about 25 feet in the large stinging hail and torrential rains. We fell into two large pods of rafted up kayaks, joining in whatever position we were at the moment, as the 4 knot current propelled us along Manhattan's seawall. I attached to one of these pods facing backwards. I noticed that one fellow in a double Klepper fearful for his life (we all were, what with the lightning and zero visibility in narrow waters in which large vessels were seen plying through just moments before the storm hit) took out two paddle floats and placed one on each blade. That Klepper became one of the most stable boats ever at that point. I have often thought of that move by him when I am not having nightmares about the predicament we were in. (After the storm blow by, the seawall service road became alive with police cars and ambulances searching for us and two harbor patrol vessels appeared. Pedestrians had seen our 20 boat group on the water as the storm hit and placed frentic 911 calls. Rescue people were certain that a disaster had occured among the kayakers. We were all fine except for being soaking wet and a bit bruised by the hail stones.) ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** 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 Fri Nov 06 1998 - 08:19:20 PST
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