RE: [Paddlewise] Electric or Foot Pumps?, Paddle Floats, Rolling

Original Message:
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 08:05:24 -0400
From: "Sisler, Clyde" <Clyde.Sisler_at_wang.com>
So even after I finally figure out how to get one of those hands-free
pumps into my ruddered North American barge, I'll be taking the hand
pump along anyway - despite the article I read that said it was one of
the (begin Aussie accent here) "Things I should throw away or forget."
:-)
<snip>

Reply:
It has been interesting reading through all the posts regarding pumps,
paddlefloats, and rolling. I'm polishing up an article for Sea Kayaker
Magazine on the use of paddlefloats, in particular, and it was good to see
that I concurred in my rough drafts with what most Paddlewisers have been
indicating, though I lean more heavily to Matt Broze's way of thinking with
the fixed outrigger, after doing some extensive rough water tests. 

I do think it is rather important to constantly remind ourselves that there
are regional differences with respect to the sport of seayaking and the
attendant choices in gear and technique. If we all paddled the Oregon Coast
year 'round, we would all probably pursue rolling, all paddle heavily built
boats, maybe even run electric pumps, and consider surfing normal. I've
spent a bit of time on the British Coast before I got into kayaking. I
remember gazing out to sea, amazed at how inhospitable it was. No wonder
they do what they do. I imagine, as I recall Paul Caffyn's accounts, that
the Australian paddlers deal with waters that are mostly seen only in our
nightmares around here, though I'm sure both areas have their placid days
and routes. And a funny thing is, both these traditional rough water
arenas, show markedly different attitudes toward the installation and use
of rudders...hmmmm.

We are fortunate indeed, that around the shores and inland water-ways of
North America, miles upon nautical miles of relatively protected paddling
can be found. Even pioneering paddlers like old Bob Morrison of Seattle who
open-water-paddled the remote western shores of Vancouver Island in the
early sixties, used good judgement and sound seamanship skills to avoid the
need for post-wet-exist-reentry maneuvers or combat rolling, though he did
have difficulty in fog once with a bigger group. Though rough water exists
everywhere, even the very small percentage who seek it out, spend the
majority of time in more benign conditions.

I disliked Aussies telling us to get rid of our pumps (even if they do
qualify the statement). We have our own unique style and methodologies in
the Pacific Northwest. The East Coast tends to be a little more hard core
on some issues, as that is contingent upon their geographic particulars and
social peculiarities. And I can say from experience, every time I've gotten
into trouble in my narrow kayak in deep water, I sure wish I could have
jumped into a Klepper with Ralph.      

There is no right or wrong way of doing things for the most part. We need
to be a little more sensitive to each other. State what's right for
yourself and what you have observed as the norm where you live, but don't
try to impose on other people (why is that always considered too much of a
yawn?). Even Matt needs to realize that a fixed outrigger, in the wrong
conditions, might be too slow to deploy or be a causative factor in paddle
breakage (bait, bait!!!). And no, one can't argue that rolling skills are
not beneficial, but I know enough people who have genuine medical phobias
about putting their heads under water. A fast wet exit is the best they can
muster, and a reliable rescue option must be developed.  

Regardless, it has been interesting to watch these issues resurface again
on Paddlewise (Jaws music, please).

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd (from the land of yup-yakers, pig-headed pumpers, and those who
roll-their-own...err, hey dude, lets not get into that last one).  
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