Re: [Paddlewise] baidarka Back Support and Sp*ns*ns

Fred said:
> Thanks Jackie.  Being new to the list, I didn't realize that some were so 
> adverse to an open discussion on sponsons.
> I hope that I receive some reasoned response with respect to my question.

Jackie said:

Doug was really just kidding around.  :-)

Folks aren't adverse to the discussion on sponsons... just a particular
manufacturer that used to bombard another list in a most fanatic way
about the virtues of owning *his* sponsons.  If you have a question about
sponsons, I'm sure someone here can give you the low-down.  So, feel free
to ask away about anything on sponsons :-)

Fred said:

> I would like to know what the more experienced paddlers on this page 
> think of the use of sponsoons.

The sponson design has been improved over the ensuing years, with respect
to the attachment system. Our local kayak retailer brings them in for the
guides mostly. BC is big into guiding, and has an organized association
with provincial government involvement. BC guides are amongst the best in
the world, and consider effective safety devices an added asset in some
cases. Some of them appreciate the stability afforded by the sponsons width
stabilization of troubled paddlers. 

Although there are a number of ways to assist a single kayak user in
difficulty, sponsons remain a viable option, and not just for commercial
operators. One point I would like to emphasis, global to this post about
one method of assisting wobbly-wayward novices or even advanced paddlers in
difficulty (or one-time clients such as on commercial trips), is that _have
you thought through_ what you are going to do if someone does get into
trouble? What methods do you have to deal with the situation? What devices?
Can you utilize a couple of paddle floats? Are there enough people to form
a raft consisting of one person holding on to the paddler in distress, yet
leaving enough people to tow the raft to safety?

It _does not_ have to be extreme-like conditions for a paddler to have
problems. Over the last couple of decades, I've seen it all - paddlers
desperately ill, due to not changing the water in their water bottle since
their last trip; new paddlers totally in panic mode, unable to deal with
their lack of perceived stability, then placing undue requirements on a
partner or group (to the point where they physically will not let go of
you, even after attempts to calm them down).

So, think it through, that's all I'm saying. Sponsons may figure into your
equation, maybe not, but don't stick up your nose at them as an inferior
product per say, or simply because its the "cool" thing to "run-down" on
Paddlewise. I'll take that advice to heart, too.

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd (being serious today, for once)
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