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From: Fernando López Arbarello <ferlopez_at_interar.com.ar> subject: [Paddlewise] Best wishes from Argentina ! Date: Fri, 24 Dec 1999 16:06:51 -0300 · This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:06 PDT

Hallo Paddlewisers,

Best regards from Argentina !

My name is Fernando Lopez Arbarello and live in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I´ve
been following your list during the last month or so and find it really
interesting. After reading all the mail ( which is really a lot ), there´s
many topics I rather have different opinions or different experiences I would
like to share with you, so in future I´ll be writing from time to time.

I am 33 years old and been both white-water and sea-kayaking since I was 18. I
am a kayak instructor and sea-kayak manufacturer since 1991. So here I go with
some short comments,

1.- CONSTRUCTION: As kevlar is either difficult to get or highly expensive
here in Argentina I manufacture my kayaks in fiberglass. But after using many
local seakayaks before, I was really disappointed with the quality as they
easily scrapped or cracked after landing on any stony beach. I resolved this
weakness with a stronger construction in fiberglass, paying the price with the
weight but with excellent results in overall strength and durability. For the
design I based on Frank Goodman´s NordKapp, but with some modifications in
hull and deck. In a few words, I have a 30 kg., 9 years old fiberglass kayak,
hardly used in many expeditions, ( the longer about 1000 miles down the PARANA
RIVER ), and still as strong as the very first day. In this 9 years I never
have to repair a leak. I know kevlar and polyethylene are stronger, but I say
cheaper fiberglass still makes it possible.

2.- TECHNIQUE: Late in 1992, after teaching seakayaking students how to roll
for a couple of years, that means, having a bomb-proof roll, I adventured
myself in class ll whitewater, lead with some experienced friend who would
teach me. After some descents which I found really easy I gained confidence
and started to play in some holes. But when the obviously capsize came, my
bomb proof technique and all my former experience, surfing 10ft. sea-waves
included, resulted useless and I had to support my friends laughing at the
"INSTRUCTOR" swimming, shouting, and begging in panic to be rescued !. After
that I decided to start over again, mastering first whitewater technique, not
extreme but class lll+, and applying all that knowledge to my beloved
seakayaking. This is the better way I´ve found to learn. While seakayaking you
may be surprised by situations beyond your control, many times resulting in
fatal accidents. These situations are unexpected, and most of them impossible
to reproduce in order to practice and experience. In whitewater you have
similar situations but in a single continual rapid or playspot, ready to be
experienced and practiced time after time ( A hole will teach you how to surf,
side surf, maneuver, and even roll in choppy seas and cross-currents ). With
the proper instruction this practice is safe and easy. I am also subscribed to
SK mag. and I can´t understand why there´s still such a lot of accidents
reported when very experienced seakayakers get drowned after capsizing and
failing to roll. Would anyone give me a reason why ?. Up to me, for any
kayaker rolling is a must.

Well, that´s all for now. Wish you all marry Christmas and best wishes from
here ! (Sorry for my unorthodox english, I hope you´ll understand me well )

Fernando López Arbarello

uktkayak_at_interar.com.ar

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