Hi. I've just written - and deleted - a far too long post on this issue of wearing/not wearing, and/or removing a PFD while in surf. I'll try to make this one much shorter (I need to go to sound-byte school)... I too, am an avid bodysurfer, having spent much of my time during my college years in So. California surf (The Wedge - at Newport Beach/Balboa, and various other places). I too, prefer to swim in surf without a PFD, for the reasons mentioned by Scott and Dave. By the way, to the other women on the list: Even in warm water bodysurfing situations, when a wetsuit may not be necessary, I do recommend a *one piece* bathing suit (ask me how I know this :-)). And Steve asked: >"Surfers, how about it? A little more broadly, if you are, perhaps >of necessity, attempting a surf landing with someone who may flip >and swim, do you tell him to take off his PFD?" If they're not comfortable in the surf, whether they can hold on to the boat or not, I'll *not* suggest they remove the PFD. It may be a bumpy ride to shore, but they'll most likely survive. Also, depending on how large the swell is, and how close to shore you are, it's a good idea to sometimes check the depth, as I've often seen exhausted swimmers, frantically swimming, not aware that they could simply stand up and walk the rest of the way in. I do feel it's important though, for a kayak surfer to be comfortable with surf swimming (and even bodysurfing). If one is not yet comfortable (or at least familiar) with these, I feel it's useful to practice them before paddling in surf situations. There are other issues we have to consider as well when we're in the surf with our boats (besides ourselves and our boats). Other swimmers, surfers, and boaters. If at all possible, and especially when there are other people in the water, it's important for us to not allow our boats to go tumbling freely in the surf, as they could do serious damage to another person's well-being. This, of course, makes us deal with surf differently than if we were just ourselves, without a boat. And of course, don't forget the helmet. A little aside here, from my bodysurfing experiences: As backup safety equipment for offshore paddling, I'll take along a pair of swim fins. If I find myself in an extended swim scenario, these could help get me to where I'm going a lot faster (especially if I have to swim against any current). Melissa (well, it was long, but much shorter than the first one!) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
|By the way, to the other women on the list: Even in warm water |bodysurfing situations, when a wetsuit may not be necessary, I do |recommend a *one piece* bathing suit (ask me how I know this :-)). Ok, I'll bite, Melissa of the bonney wee boat,how do you know this? 8-) Hoping that the answer will help the other women on the list. Of course. 8-) Dan McCarty *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>|By the way, to the other women on the list: Even in warm water >|bodysurfing situations, when a wetsuit may not be necessary, I do >|recommend a *one piece* bathing suit (ask me how I know this :-)). After I wrote the above, Dan wrote the below: > >Ok, I'll bite, Melissa of the bonney wee boat,how do you know this? > >8-) > >Hoping that the answer will help the other women on the list. Of >course. > >8-) > >Dan McCarty Well Dan, I'm sure the other women don't need much help figuring this one out, but I'm quite sure you'd benefit greatly from photo, yes? It's in the mail, along with a check for a million rubles ;-) Melissa *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Mon, 21 Aug 2000 13:34:37 +1000, Whyte, David wrote: >Those of us who spent our youth at the beach bodysurfing and surfing >know the answer we've seen it happen. Most embassing for the women >concerned. > >And even for males who don't tie the cord tight enough in their >swimmers before hitting the big surf can suffer the same fate > >David Yes. I've enjoye..... um... I mean... *witnessed* that as well :-) Melissa *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Those of us who spent our youth at the beach bodysurfing and surfing know the answer we've seen it happen. Most embassing for the women concerned. And even for males who don't tie the cord tight enough in their swimmers before hitting the big surf can suffer the same fate David > -----Original Message----- > From: Melissa Reese [SMTP:melissa_at_bonnyweeboaty.net] > Sent: Monday, 21 August 2000 12:53 > To: dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com; paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net > Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] To PFD or not to PFD - this is the > queston... > > >|By the way, to the other women on the list: Even in warm water > >|bodysurfing situations, when a wetsuit may not be necessary, I do > >|recommend a *one piece* bathing suit (ask me how I know this :-)). > > After I wrote the above, Dan wrote the below: > > > > >Ok, I'll bite, Melissa of the bonney wee boat,how do you know this? > > > >8-) > > > >Hoping that the answer will help the other women on the list. Of > >course. > > > >8-) > > > >Dan McCarty > > Well Dan, I'm sure the other women don't need much help figuring this > one out, but I'm quite sure you'd benefit greatly from photo, yes? > It's in the mail, along with a check for a million rubles ;-) > > Melissa > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Whyte, David wrote: > > And even for males who don't tie the cord tight enough in their swimmers > before hitting the big surf can suffer the same fate > > David One of the kayakers around the Boathouse decided to do some night swimming off the kayak dock (which, BTW, is prohibited because we don't have insurance coverage for that). He dove in and lost his shorts and could not find them in the dark waters. Not bad, right? No. To get back to his clothes in the Boathouse he had to cross an open expanse of pier. For energy saving purposes, the area doesn't have regular lighting but rather a series of floodlights that are triggered by a motion sensing device (i.e. to discourage burglers). He knew that the promenade facing the embayment was filled with people because he had swam below them for awhile after losing his shorts. Every time he would enter the motion detection field to go to the Boathouse door, the spotlights would light up the place and him; so he would scurry away back to the kayak dock. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
ralph diaz writes: > <snip> > Every time he would enter the motion detection field to go to the > Boathouse door, the spotlights would light up the place and him; so he > would scurry away back to the kayak dock. Don't NYC cockroaches have the same pattern when a light suddenly shines on them? Its a good thing your swimmers don't swarm. /Glen [an ex-New Yorker and victor of many cockroach battles] *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I always wear my PFD when I take a bath...in the bathroom. You never know. What if I had a heart attack? My PFD would keep my head above water. Walt Levins Pygmy Arctic Tern *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
"I always wear my PFD when I take a bath...in the bathroom. You never know. What if I had a heart attack? My PFD would keep my head above water." So you'd be dead but still ahead? PT 37* 42' S 145* 08' E *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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