Re: [Paddlewise] Bow Lift Rescue

> Personally, I believe the simplicity of kayaks is more compatible with an 


> approach that emphasizes independence and adaptability over shopping for 


> every conceivable redundancy.


> 











  Well put, Mark. I wish I'd said that. I would like to try and take a moment

here to put things into their proper perspective. First of all, the bow lift 



works. So does the reenter and roll. Of course the paddle float rescue has 


long been considered a standard in this sport. Frankly, if I end up out of 


the boat (which incidentally never happens unless it's intentional) I simply 



climb back into the boat from the water, without a paddle float or any other 



kind of assistance. My boat has a beam of 22.5 inches and yes, I've done it 


in rough water. But I am probably considered an expert level paddler and I 


practice all of these things constantly.


  Now in regards to the question of what the beginner is doing --- I would 


like to ask what in the #$% is a beginner doing paddling alone in conditions 



where a self rescue might be necessary in the first place! I teach beginners 



assisted rescues and I tell them that as a beginner they should be paddling 


with other people in fairly benign conditions. When asked about solo paddling

I always tell people that solo paddling is great, but one must be prepared 


for the worst case scenario. That is, considering water temp. and distance, 


they should be able to easily swim to shore. If they go beyond this then they

should have several well practiced methods available to them for performing 


self rescue. Of course, once they have reached this level then I no longer 


consider them to be a beginner.


  I think it is beneficial to practice every conceivable type of kayak 


rescue. But when you get right down to it I have to preach my usual mantra, 


that far more important then the skills or the equipment in this sport is the

ability to paddle intelligently and recognize one's limits. Rather then 


quibbling over the effectiveness of a particular rescue in a particular 


scenario I think this group should instead be asking "why is this person in 


this situation in the first place?"





"A man's got to know his limits." Dirty Harry





Scott


So.Cal.





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