Re: [Paddlewise] Visibility of kayakers

From: <NEWTOT_at_mail.modot.state.mo.us>
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 2000 08:28:30 -0500
Matt Broze wrote:
"The question I want to know is what color were your paddle blades. For
visibility while paddling bright paddle blades waving around in the air
attract attention way better than a bright boat or PFD. "

My paddle has very large white blades (Tradewind model I believe) - I still
can't believe how close the boats came by.  I might also add that this borrowed
boat had no bulkheads or flotation, and my friend STILL paddles it that way
(stupid stupid!) - hence making a self rescue impossible.  Florescent blades or
a strobe light would have helped.  Visability wasn't on my mind on a warm sunny
spring day.

Stranger still, our situation was noticed from the top of the dam and the Lake
Patrol was called.  Conditions were so bad due to the large open area in front
of the dam - big waves!  The 20 foot bass boat that brought us in almost rolled
over as well.  The fishermen had been visiting that lake for 30 years and never
saw anything like it.  (neither had I!)

Tim



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Received on Thu Aug 03 2000 - 08:14:21 PDT

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