anyone have any ideas. We tried the stirrup meathod, which gave the mid-range weighted ladies a "leg-up", but I hate to see the heavier ladies curtailed so much from paddling. This is a serious question, asked by the ladies themselves, so please, no super silly remarks, just some constructive --------------- How about the swamped kayak rescue (I forget what it's called). The one where you tilt the kayak up on edge and then 'float' the person into the cockpit. Once in, you can come up on the same side and let the 'victem' support themself on your kayak as they try to right themself. Maybe they could walk themself up your torso, hand over hand till they had their balance. If they've gotten this far in your program, they should have the determination to put forth the effort required to raise themselves to an upright position (considering the alternatives). How cold would the 'real world' water be and what will they be wearing? While they may have some natural insulation (that's not a super silly remark, is it?), they may be in the water longer than most while the rescue scenerio plays out. I'd be interested to hear the final solution as this seems to relate back to earlier discussions on rescuing an unconscious or disabled person. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Sisler quoted Doug Loyd, I think: > > anyone have any ideas. We tried the stirrup method, which gave the > mid-range weighted ladies a "leg-up", but I hate to see the heavier ladies > curtailed so much from paddling. This is a serious question, asked by the > ladies themselves, so please, no super silly remarks, just some constructive I do not have a magic answer, but perhaps a suggestion to help condition the folks who are having trouble a little so they can use the stirrup method. The basic problem is that someone who can not lift (most of) his/her own body weight using the muscles of one leg can not benefit from the stirrup. I'd suggest that the folks having trouble go to the weight room and work on improving their leg strength. I don't know the correct name for this, but the leg extension machine is where I have worked on leg strength. When I have worked with folks having trouble re-entering the cockpit, the stirrup method was always my method of last resort. I would not tell the ladies "don't go kayaking, it's too dangerous for you." I'd tell them to be capable of rescue, they need more leg strength. As a heavier-than-average person, I can relate to their frustration. Water-related activities, at least ones where a person's body is immersed, are normally one of the best exercise avenues for folks like me. I have no trouble self-rescuing, but I have good leg and upper-body strength. I'd point the ladies at conditioning their legs. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I don't know of any quick or easy answer. I do know that many of the problems are more of flexibility and skill than strength. When I first learned to get into a canoe from deep water, it was very difficult. Later it was very easy and I was not in better shape, I was more used to moving in the water and handling a canoe. I would suggest that everyone should swim and kayak as much as they can. Water skills and comfort will develop rapidly and make everything water related easier. There is no substitute for time on or in the water. michael dkruger_at_pacifier.com wrote: > > Sisler quoted Doug Loyd, I think: > > > > anyone have any ideas. We tried the stirrup method, which gave the > > mid-range weighted ladies a "leg-up", but I hate to see the heavier ladies > > curtailed so much from paddling. This is a serious question, asked by the > > ladies themselves, so please, no super silly remarks, just some constructive > > I do not have a magic answer, but perhaps a suggestion to help condition > the folks who are having trouble a little so they can use the stirrup > method. > As a heavier-than-average person, I can relate to their frustration. > Water-related activities, at least ones where a person's body is immersed, > are normally one of the best exercise avenues for folks like me. I have no > trouble self-rescuing, but I have good leg and upper-body strength. > > I'd point the ladies at conditioning their legs. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
If they used surf skis ( sit on tops with all the speed and storage potential of a sea kayak) climbing back on would be MUCH easier. Dan Volker -----Original Message----- From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net]On Behalf Of Michael Neverdosky Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 1999 9:19 AM To: paddlewise Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Large people rescue I don't know of any quick or easy answer. I do know that many of the problems are more of flexibility and skill than strength. When I first learned to get into a canoe from deep water, it was very difficult. Later it was very easy and I was not in better shape, I was more used to moving in the water and handling a canoe. I would suggest that everyone should swim and kayak as much as they can. Water skills and comfort will develop rapidly and make everything water related easier. There is no substitute for time on or in the water. michael dkruger_at_pacifier.com wrote: > > Sisler quoted Doug Loyd, I think: > > > > anyone have any ideas. We tried the stirrup method, which gave the > > mid-range weighted ladies a "leg-up", but I hate to see the heavier ladies > > curtailed so much from paddling. This is a serious question, asked by the > > ladies themselves, so please, no super silly remarks, just some constructive > > I do not have a magic answer, but perhaps a suggestion to help condition > the folks who are having trouble a little so they can use the stirrup > method. > As a heavier-than-average person, I can relate to their frustration. > Water-related activities, at least ones where a person's body is immersed, > are normally one of the best exercise avenues for folks like me. I have no > trouble self-rescuing, but I have good leg and upper-body strength. > > I'd point the ladies at conditioning their legs. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I almost forgot to mention. Make sure that you have boats big enough. It is very difficult to get into a boat that is too small no matter how strong/skilled you are. michael *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Being a more than 'mid-weight' lady, also being more than 50 years old, and having taken of kayaking just a year ago, I find that the following works for me when re-entering a kayak. FWIW, the first time or two was difficult, but that was more due to inexperience and nervousness than anything else. (I could just picture the sharks milling about under my feet). Assuming the paddle has the float attached, and is perpendicular to the kayak and firmly attached, I let my body float, bringing the feet to the surface. Then, hook one foot over the paddle shaft - before trying to pull onto the kayak. Then, using the foot on the paddle shaft to keep my body horizontal as possible, give a hefty (pun intended) pull, using the foot on the paddle to help push. At this point, I'm laying atop the kayak, just behind the seat. If needed, I can do another pull, or just move my free leg into the kayak, and then slide my other foot in, turn and drop into the seat. I've done this as practice many times, and find it works for me great. Have never used a stirrup and frankly think the secret is to keep the body up on the surface of the water. There far less weight to have to lift... you're basically sliding up onto the back of the kayak. S. Watters *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:32:55 PDT