RE: [Paddlewise] paddlefloat/outrigger rescue

Joan Shriner and Roger Shumann wrote:
"We have actually heard of 3 different people using the paddlefloat
rescues, and the most recent incident involved someone who has advanced
paddling skills...."
Thanks for some real life feedback. I am inclined to carry the two
paddlefloats I have made, just as some insurance against failure of quicker
and better rescues.
A party of four paddlers from here recently crossed from Victoria to
Tasmania across Bass Strait, island hopping and taking, I think, about 13
days. A couple of days in, one paddler was ill, vomiting and incapable of
holding himself upright. He required a double tow for a couple of hours,
with another boat rafted up to keep him stable. God help a solo paddler in
that situation. Or maybe, two paddlefloats help such a paddler?
Several of the keener local paddlers are critical of them, and I have not
noticed anyone other than me with them or practising re-entry with them.
Practice to date has been in mild water temperature conditions, and wind
waves to 1 metre. Based on this, paddlefloat rescues would be very difficult
in breaking seas or any rougher conditions.
In due course, I want to fit some homemade sponsons (sorry to use such
language on this list) and try those. I am wondering if sponsons could be
made which do not require customizing to a particular boat before use.
Very hesitant to raise this thought on paddlewise, given the strident
evangelism to be found at the Georgia Bay Kayak Co. website.
Best Regards, Peter T.

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