Ralph wrote: <<<SNIP>...I do recall hearing some published tales of paddlers re-capsizing when trying to yank out the inboard blade from a tightly fitting bungee or cord X pattern. And I have seen it happen in calm water during practice drills. My guess is that when a capsize occurs while yanking it is because of poor technique or letting down one's guard. A person yanking out the blade should make certain that the paddle float remain active, i.e. still be in contact with the water while yanking, and then skimmed back across the water for removal of the float or left on to continue resting or let the adrenalin simmer down.>> Ralph, were you teaching those who capsized? The reason I asked is because what you said about having the paddlefloat remain active as you pull it out could be causing the problems you have seen. I think those who capsize when doing this have been doing the right thing while using the paddlefloat (that is) leaning their weight more to the float side. The catch comes when it is time to slip the paddle out from under the deck lines. Then you must get the kayak back on an even keel and for a second quit depending on the paddlefloat to stabilize the kayak. With no weight holding the paddlefloat down it is easy to slip the paddle out from under the deck lines with one quick arm motion and bring it in front of your body in normal paddling position. The float may still be resting on the water when you do this but no downward pressure should be applied to it at that time. I usually lean slightly away from the float side until it just starts to lift off the water to know it is free to be slid out from under the deck lines. If you keep leaning on the float you will find it is much harder to remove the paddle (due to the leverage on the deck) and if you do manage to remove it as soon as it is free you will tip towards the float side. Done right you must balance for about one second while you remove the paddle and get it into bracing position. If you don't outrigger the paddle by fixing it to the kayak you will need to balance for several minutes while also trying to operate the pump. If that is what I would be facing after a capsize I would take electric and foot pumps a lot more seriously so I could keep both hands on the paddle ready to brace during pump-out (but every footpump I have tried gives me leg cramps. Mike wrote: <<Then I must be doing something wrong. I find with the curved deck and the spoon of the paddle "nesting", the paddle shaft is sloped down into the water. In order to release it, I have to lean away from the paddle side to lift the paddle and then pull it out. I'd rather have a quick release arrangement, like the Seaward (or is it Nimbus?) kayaks.>> As far as I know Nimbus invented it but I think Seaward may be using it too. A quick release works fine but again you must put the kayak in a balanced position when you release the buckle (And in Mikes case that will be while leaning away from the float) or the rug will be pulled out from under you here too. Have you tried turning the paddle over so the spoon is up (I realize it will be harder to slide into position that way but if doable this may also make releasing the setup easier. Other solutions include using paddles and boats with less curvature to them. Comment on the German pump thread: Why not hook the rudder up to the pump so every time you use the rudder pedals you will be pumping the kayak too--and not need four separate pedals? The Lendal pump was a tube mounted on the footbrace bar so even without a rudder normal foot pressure changes during paddling strokes operated the pump--sounds good to me but I don't recall having had the chance to try this pump out. I understand it was a very low capacity pump. Anyone with experience with it care to comment on the Lendal pump? When practicing any rescue make sure you don't always stop when you are back upright. At least some of the time do the full pump-out as well or you will be getting a very distorted picture of your competence at rescues. Matt Broze http://www.marinerkayaks.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sat Jan 29 2000 - 17:34:37 PST
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