Like many we came to kayaks from MANY years in canoes. We went out duck watching and very calm paddles in the summer. I never thought about the consequences of falling in. I never fell in so I just was careful not to. The very first kayak trip was in January in my canoe gear, jeans and sweat shirt, not pfd, dry clothes in the car, spare paddle. It was a nice, 50+ degree day with 0 wind. I paddled about 2 miles and only got my feet wet because I HAD to switch boats with my SO. Being in the Chesapeake Paddler's domain I was quickly informed of the error of my ways. I became a believer, especially when I read Jack's story of his navy buddy who died on such a day. My SO was not so convinced. Woody and I took her out and made her at least STAND, not even move around, in 50º water for 10 minutes in her wet suit. She agreed that she would not go out in water under 45º until she had a dry suit. What really sold her on it was the day about a month later when I managed to flip over while sitting still in the middle of the Potomac in even colder water. No roll but very skilled companions so I was in a dry boat in about a minute or so. This same experience convinced her that learning AND PRACTICING rescues was really quite important. Maybe seeing someone who isn't such a bad paddler fall over by accident is the way to become a believer. I have gotten her to the pool several times this winter to practice and she comes to the practice area we use on weekends every so often. Not the conversion of the ex-smoker but she is "aware." Rich, BTW, if you have the use of a heated pool I expect to see you rolling like a top when I finally meet you. I'm jealous. I would do what I did all over again and flat out refuse to paddle with any of them, and refuse the use of ANY of my equipment in cold water until they have some skills. I would make sure they end up, one at a time, in the drink and then you just sit there until they get back into their boat. Be sure to have the rescue equipment with you like the pfd, warm jacket, hot drink in a thermos, even in warm weather <G>, and tow belt so you can get them back if they are mad enough to not paddle, and whatever else it takes to impress on those whom you don't want to loose, how high a risk they are taking. It is worth a really big mad not to suffer a loss. Joan Spinner who has a terrible case of spring fever *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Mar 13 2001 - 16:46:54 PST
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