Re: [Paddlewise] Wet exits and spray deck removal

----- Original Message -----
From: "Matt Broze" <mkayaks_at_oz.net>
To: "Paddlewise" <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 2:49 AM
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Wet exits and spray deck removal
<snip>
> By the way Sid, I almost never use an all neoprene spraydeck except in a
> river kayak or when surfing. Too hot and they tend to limit rotation at
the
> waist.

I've never noticed this problem of limiting rotation, but then again, I am a
whitewater kayaker with a serious moral compulsion against nylon
sprayskirts. I just wouldn't trust a wimpy nylon skirt in any kind of
seriously rough conditions.

I bet that with any neoprene spray deck that you can get over your
> butt you can also get your arm down into to release it from the inside as
> Peter described in his tests.

I think this technique would work sitting at your desk wearing a sprayskirt
(as us whitewater loonies often do when there's no water in the rivers), but
there is no way that it would work in a "real" situation. A properly fitting
neoprene skirt is very snug, and then there is the matter of a PFD and
spraytop/drytop sitting over the skirt. It would not be easy to release the
zipper on the PFD and then reach through the layers of drytop and then
through the snug tunnel... especially not when upside down and gasping for
breath. For the record, it usually takes 3-4 "hops" to get my skirt up and
over my ample posterior -- I like it tight.

> I suggest you try this technique like Peter
> did before being so quick to dismiss it based on remembered "experience"
and
> "common knowledge". From the dismissive tone of your post I'm going to
guess
> you are mostly a WW paddler doing a little "slumming " on this list and
are
> under 40.
>

Slumming? That's low. Flatwater paddling is a highly amusing diversion when
the rivers are too low, and I doubt many whitewater paddlers would consider
it "slumming". :)

Okay, now that the joke is over, let me state that I love sea kayaking in
all it's forms, and I am very much looking forward to a summer of many
substantial trips. Especially in the drought-stricken PNW.

Cheers,
Kevin

ps. Matt, the Skykomish just hit 2500cfs. Do you want to run Boulder Drop
this weekend?

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