Re: [Paddlewise] Paddlefloats & hypothermic poisonous critters

Peter Osman wrote:

> Doug wrote
> SNIP
> >And oh yeah, don't let the "South Coast Mafia" paddlers down-under
> >make you believe there is only one way of doing things.
> SNIP
> >Doug Lloyd (who wonders if you can use a big box jelly fish as an
> >outrigger support when your paddlefloat inadvertantly blows away)
> SNIP
>
> G'Day
>       Thanks Doug' and John for your comments (also all the private
> responses) I feel encouraged to experiment some more in rougher
> waters. re the South Coast Cosa Nostra - They are a pretty good
> and flexible crowd really - though debates on kayaks can become
> quite compelling - I've learn't lots from them.

Wasn't meant as derogatory -- these guys are a hoot, and I admire them and
personally follow their maxims and compelling arguments which seem to hold
water -- err, not hold as much, err, whatever. It's just that they are at the
top of the evolutionary scale and the rest of us hand-pump immature amoeba
types still need some other options :-)

>
> Re box jelly fish - we were paddling near Manly beach and its the
> middle of winter here, the water temperature was probably about 15
> celsius, when what do we see but a yellow bellied black sea snake -
> skinny as a rake and searching desperately for food. I empathised
> immediately and we arranged for the local aquarium to take it away
> for some TLC. But has anyone ever heard of such a snake finding its
> way to such cold water?

I was just kidding about the box jelly fish, of course, as an outrigger. Now
sea snakes - makes you want to paddle a bigger kayak. My wife has a medical
fear of snakes (forget the name). We encountered some here on Vancouver
Island a couple of years ago during an inter-lake water trail exploration in
brackish water. Her screams terrified me and the snake more that she was
terrified, though. It was a harmless little creature, however.

>
>
> We called it "FC" because it was the identical color scheme for a
> Feathercraft which my mate Craig was paddling.
>
> And by the way you had me worried with the title of your last few entries
> "My Last Post" glad to see it wasn't true!

Sorry 'bout that mate! Shouldn't have even posted a reply to Bill via the
list, but I've worked so hard to overcome my upbringing which precluded
anyone as valid that wasn't Caucasian and heterosexual (one of my parents few
faults, but a big one based on Darwin's earlier work and their own
upbringing).  I'm determined to break the chain, so was incredulous that I
was taken the wrong way due to my poor phraseology. Nuff' said, but my real "
last post" will be just before the big tsunami hits Vancouver Island. We are
due for a big one some day. If I'm out there when it hits, rest assured I'll
die with a huge grin!

If I post irrelevant stuff once and awhile, I'm sorry. I really respect and
admire everyone on the list, and sometimes share stuff like one does with
family. I often post in such a way that appears gruff or disrespectful. This
is my way of provoking a response, so don't anyone _ever_ take anything
personally. Stuff that I post that isn't garbage, (which is once and awhile I
hope) I only ask that people respect the privacy of this list and keep it
within the parameters of PW, unless permission is sought from the poster.

Keep up the experimenting. Hey, at least you have warm water some of the time
(box jelly fish not withstanding). I know I was really surprised at how well
the front deck paddlefloat rescue works for _me_, and that's without affixing
it even. Ah, freestyle rescues, now there's another concept, eh?

BTW, I'm absolutely convinced that kayakers die needlessly when things go
awry and they wind up in the water, "helpless" after trying some rescue
procedure that didn't work. I think their brain goes into mental shock after
that, and they just shut down too early and easily.

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd

>
>
> All the best, PeterO
>

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