[Paddlewise] Question on Paddlefloat self rescues

From: Peter Osman <rebyl_kayak_at_hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2000 11:58:54 GMT
G'day Paddlewise safety enthusiasts

Had the great pleasure of paddling my new Pittarak for the first time this 
weekend. What a sweet boat! Slightly tippy but as fast as the wind the model 
is named after and very responsive to edging. But a small cockpit - so 
before anything else I practiced paddlefloat self rescues (next week I go 
back to learning to roll reliably).

Anyway here is the question. With large cockpit boats I've been used to the 
cowboy method so one of the rescues tried was to attach the paddlefloat in 
front of the cockpit which allowed both a paddlefloat assisted cowboy 
reentry (but feet first) as well as a self rescue from the position lying 
along the stern with one leg supported on the paddle. It wasn't clear which 
was more useful, both methods seemed straightforward. Its obvious that you 
have to set the paddlefloat at the back if you don't have a solid 
attachment. But if the paddle is securely fixed is there any reason not to 
position it at the front of the cockpit? All the books I've read set it at 
the back. By the way these were not rough water practice sessions as I was 
solo at the time.

All the best and grateful for any feedback, PeterO

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Received on Tue Jul 25 2000 - 04:59:22 PDT

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