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). *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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