[Paddlewise] Cockpit size, Snapdragon Design, Limp Dishrag Technique

on 1/19/01 2:37 AM, Matt Broze at mkayaks_at_oz.net wrote:

snip
> Before
> the trip, Chris was told by Paul Caffyn that he would never make the
> circumnavigation unless he used an "ocean" cockpitted Nordkapp and a rudder.
> Chris not only made it during a very bad weather year, he used neither an
> "ocean" cockpit or a rudder (or even a skeg). He used an all neoprene
> Snapdragon spraydeck with an optional implosion bar. Like me, he said he
> could not tolerate a cockpit where you can't bend your knees up to stretch
> out your hamstrings for long periods on the water.
 
I've used the all neoprene Snapdragon spraydeck for years. I have one for my
Baidarka and one for my Mega Rio Ocean surf kayak.  I don't have the
implosion bar but it seems like a good idea.  Here is the web address for
Snapdragon Design:  www.snapdragondesign.com
 
> During the slide show I was reminded of my kayak surfing days while Chris
> was describing his technique for recovering from a tumble in big breakers.
> His technique was the same one I had settled on as well. Lock your legs in
> place under the thigh grips and use them to hold yourself down into the seat
> as hard as you can. While your lower body is tense like this you relax your
> upper body so it can be flopped around like a limp dishrag. Let go of the
> paddle with one hand but keep a firm grip on it with the other (so it is
> free to pivot around wildly without being pulled from your grip). This way
> you are not trying to fight the force of the breaker any more than necessary
> to stay in the cockpit and hang onto the paddle. Lastly you hold your breath
> until things quiet down and then find your paddle shaft with the other hand,
> set up, and roll back up.

I used this technique in 9 to 11 foot breaking surf at Makah Bay on the
Washington coast.  I can't say I planned it out, rather it "happened" to me.
All of the sudden I'm under water with one hand on the paddle shaft, being
tossed every direction but up. No sense in fighting it, just let your upper
body whip around like a rag doll or as Matt put it, "a limp dishrag."  It
seems like forever the first time it happens. It's dark down there and the
thrashing is incredible but then comes the light and the calm, you are at
the surface.  Time to get your other hand on the paddle shaft, slide one
hand up to a blade to check the blade angle and adjust it for the roll.
Roll up.  Look around. That wave that just thrashed you has a big brother
following right behind. :)

One of the main reasons I like a kayak without a rudder is for the secure
bracing against fixed footrests.  The longer cockpit works for me as long as
I have knee/thigh hooks and hip pads.  My hip pads are also "hooked" (like
in the photo's at www.kayakfit.com) and help me stay in the boat when the
forces that be are trying to remove me.  But I'm not trapped in the cockpit
by my outfitting.  If I want out I can relax the pressure against the
footrests, twist my hips and push out.

Rex Roberton 

 


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