RE: [Paddlewise] Really Dumb Question

At 07:57 AM 1/9/01 -0800, Barbara Kossy wrote:
>Not a dumb question at all. However, I would not recommend the method
>described by John is there is any surf at all. You could find yourself with
>more than just wet feet.

>From what I've read from Wayne I don't think he paddles in the
surf much.  One might suggest that the technique that you're
describing has it's disadvanages as well.

>
>Land perpendicular to the beach. Swing paddle around to rear of cockpit so
>it functions like an outrigger. Right hand on paddle behind you resting on
>the deck. Left hand, again behind you, gripping the paddle and leaning your
>weight to the outside of the kayak. This stabilizes the boat in little surf
>and if the kayak bow is resting on a bit of beach as the rest of it floats.

How good is your brace?  How good is your brace with the paddle
behind your back.  If you're landing on a shallow beach you could
probably get a "bottom brace" with the boat perpendicular.  However
if you're coming to a shore with a steep drop off the first step
is going to be a wet one.  If there is a shallow drop off, and
you manage to keep a brace long enough to get your feet out of the
boat (try doing that with an ocean cockpit) so that you can step
out your suggested techinque would work well.

If, however, the water is still a couple of feet deep at the cockpit
all you've got to brace off of is the water surface.  If it fails,
you're going over.  How good is your roll?  How good is your roll
with your paddle behind your back?

>Pull the spray skirt with the right hand still leaning on the left hand and
>paddle. 

I'll admit that pulling the spray skirt after getting into a stable
position makes more sense.

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