G'Day, I've just spent a pleasant summer of weekends at Balmoral Beach, in Sydney Australia, learning a bit about rolling and reentry and rolling. Last week I took the roll into deep water but decided against attempting a reentry and roll. The problem is what do you do after a reentry once you are back up with a cockpit full of water and a spray skirt to put on and chop hitting you from every side? Is there any alternative to putting the spray skirt on under water? I prefer to reenter with the boat completely upside down as this is a smooth fast movement and you can take a break breathing inside the cockpit. I'ld welcome hints because I'm pretty slow putting it on above water let alone submerged! All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Hello Peter: "I'm pretty slow putting it on above water let alone submerged!" One thing I think is helpful is to have a custom fitted spraydeck that goes on easily. Speed in getting the spraydeck on is really useful when taking off through surf, as well as for a re-entry and roll. You know how annoying it is to point your boat out to sea in the shallows, hop in, then spend valuable time fighting the spraydeck on, while a couple of waves come in and turn the boat along the beach. One cure for this is to rock the boat right over on its side on the sand and pivot it back facing out again. Not great for the showroom finish on the gelcoat, but it beats getting out of the boat and starting again. Russell Sheahan at Electric Water, tele (03) 9876-9541 or 0418 137 810 makes good custom decks that just drop onto the coaming really well. Regards, Peter Treby 37º 42' S 145º 08' E *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Peter Treby wrote: >One thing I think is helpful is to have a custom fitted spraydeck that goes >on easily. Speed in getting the spraydeck on is really useful when taking >off through surf, as well as for a re-entry and roll. Jed wrote: >There is no good alternative that I know of for rough water and putting >the skirt on underwater is a real challenge. Sounds like another argument in >favor of a bombproof roll. ;-) G'Day Peter and Jed, Peter, thanks for the advice and for the name of the easy spray deck supplier! You're 100% right about trying to get out in the surf. The only person I've ever seen roll on the side in the sand and rotate the boat elegantly is Larry Gray. Watched others try but its not pretty! Jed I still remember your rolling advice which was right on the button and although I'm nowhere near the perfection you advocate its a target to aim for! But is there any such thing as a bombproof roll! The "circles of defence" approach to kayaking which I was taught requires me to find a back up for when the roll just doesn't work or the breath just isn't there. What about that 1 in a 1000 wave that takes you by surprise when you're out of breath and in a small cockpit seakayak and the water's too rough for a paddle float? Come to think of it could a paddlefloat be used to stabilise the boat after a reentry and roll? All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Peter: "The only person I've ever seen roll on the side in the sand and rotate the boat elegantly is Larry Gray. Watched others try but its not pretty!" Larry came down for the VSKC AGM last year, held at Phillip Island. Larry is a superb paddler. I was very impressed, nay totally gob smacked, with the way he lay his boat right over and turned rapidly in bouncy reflected wave conditions off Cape Woolamai. Ordinary paddlers were happy to gingerly stay upright. He just made it look easy, effortless, like the boat and the man were one integrated unit. Too bad he didn't wear a PFD. Regards, Peter Treby 37º 42' S 145º 08' E *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
The only alternative I've come up with is to temporarily stabilize my kayak by putting my primary and spare Greenland paddles under the foredeck safety lines so they stick out to either side. For obvious reasons, this wouldn't work with feathered paddles. So far, I have tried it only on flat water, where it worked well, though I did later break the tip off one paddle while trying to climb back into the kayak with the paddles so deployed. The other alternative I've read about is to brace the paddle across the shoulder and under the elbow while pulling the sprayskirt back on. Chuck Holst -----Original Message----- From: Peter D Osman [SMTP:rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au] Sent: Monday, March 05, 2001 2:00 PM To: Paddlewise Subject: [Paddlewise] Reentry & Roll - What then?? G'Day, I've just spent a pleasant summer of weekends at Balmoral Beach, in Sydney Australia, learning a bit about rolling and reentry and rolling. Last week I took the roll into deep water but decided against attempting a reentry and roll. The problem is what do you do after a reentry once you are back up with a cockpit full of water and a spray skirt to put on and chop hitting you from every side? Is there any alternative to putting the spray skirt on under water? I prefer to reenter with the boat completely upside down as this is a smooth fast movement and you can take a break breathing inside the cockpit. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I've been practising the one-armed scull. It seems fairly solid, but I feel like if it fails, I'll dislocate my shoulder. Anyone have an tips? I hold the shaft in the crook of my arm, and behind the head on the shoulders. The sculling motion is the same as a normal scull. I just looked it up in Hutchinson's Sea Kayaking. His one-armed scull has the paddle completely vertical and it looks that way in the illustration. When I've tried this in the past it seems I exert too much energy keeping the shaft vertical. I think the ideal situation for recovering from a reentry and roll is to use a pump that allows you to get the skirt on and, ideally, use both hands on the paddle. I purchased a foot-pump for this very reason. It looks nice sitting on my shelf. One of these days.... -Patrick PS We had some great paddling weather here in Minnesota this past weekend. It was practically a traffic jam conditions what with all the paddle-craft out on the Mississippi. At 9:44 PM -0600 3/5/01, Chuck Holst wrote: >The only alternative I've come up with is to temporarily stabilize my kayak >by putting my primary and spare Greenland paddles under the foredeck safety >lines so they stick out to either side. For obvious reasons, this wouldn't >work with feathered paddles. So far, I have tried it only on flat water, >where it worked well, though I did later break the tip off one paddle while >trying to climb back into the kayak with the paddles so deployed. > >The other alternative I've read about is to brace the paddle across the >shoulder and under the elbow while pulling the sprayskirt back on. > >Chuck Holst > >-----Original Message----- >From: Peter D Osman [SMTP:rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au] >Sent: Monday, March 05, 2001 2:00 PM >To: Paddlewise >Subject: [Paddlewise] Reentry & Roll - What then?? > >G'Day, > >I've just spent a pleasant summer of weekends at Balmoral Beach, in Sydney >Australia, learning a bit about rolling and reentry and rolling. Last week >I >took the roll into deep water but decided against attempting a reentry and >roll. The problem is what do you do after a reentry once you are back up >with a cockpit full of water and a spray skirt to put on and chop hitting >you from every side? > >Is there any alternative to putting the spray skirt on under water? I >prefer >to reenter with the boat completely upside down as this is a smooth fast >movement and you can take a break breathing inside the cockpit. > *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Peter D Osman wrote: > Come to think of it could a paddlefloat be used to stabilise the boat > after a reentry and roll? Definitely. A paddle float can also be used DURING a reentry and roll. Install it on the paddle just like you were planning to do a paddle float reentry, but do a reentry and roll instead. The float guarantees that you will get up on the first try. This is especially important if you're going to put the skirt on while you're upside down, since you're only likely to have enough air for one roll attempt. (personally, I don't even try to put the skirt on until I'm up) Once you're up, you can use the paddle/float combination for support while pumping out the boat, even installing it in the foredeck rigging like an outrigger, if necessary. -- Regards Brian *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
>Is there any alternative to putting the spray skirt on under water? I prefer >to reenter with the boat completely upside down as this is a smooth fast >movement and you can take a break breathing inside the cockpit. I hook the front of the spry skirt on without completely sealing the cockpit. It cuts the amount of water in the boat to a manageable level. Like every technique discussed on this list it depends on the boat/paddle you are using . I have a Mariner MAX with a sliding seat. Before I reenter the seat is moved back to make reentry easier. Never had to do a reentry and roll for real, just in practice situations. PS I fully seal the spray skirt on the beach before entring the surf . "Duh" *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
G'day PeterO Just because your boat has water in it doesn't mean you can't paddle it! I have a capella with IMHO a monstrously over large cockpit, so being a safety conscious type who likes to fiddle with gadgets I fitted an electric pump. Switch the pump on before the re-enter roll. I don't fit the deck submerged, preferring to be back up paddling asap, and let the pump do the job while if necessary moving out of trouble or re-fitting the spray deck. However pump or not, if you have bulkheads etc there is no reason why if needs must you can't just paddle your boat with water in it. Sure the handling of the boat changes when flooded (and in my boat particularly the fore aft trim goes AWOL with lots of bow down trim), but its good practice for balance and bracing skills to be able to paddle with water in the boat - Free surface effect blah blah blah - if you can roll a boat with water in it i.e. re-enter roll, then you can brace and paddle a boat with water in it. I was on a 5 star training course last year in fine rescue practice conditions (Force 5 gusting 6+ and four knots of tide) and there was a lad demonstrating how to stand up on one leg in a flooded knordkapp HM without a paddleflat or sp*ns**n in sight. (his party trick exit for rescue practice was an entertaining cartwheel down the foredeck before splashdown). Paddling a boat with water in it isn't so hard. Try it. Handling when flooded is a good reason though IMO to have a boat with minimal cockpit volume, i.e. well placed bulkheads, pod, or (although I have no experience with one) so folks on the list say a cockpit sock. For a smaller volume and cockpit boat (something like say a valley anas or pintail with ideally an ocean cockpit and bulkhead placed as a footrest) I think that the electric pump even is pretty redundant - just re-enter roll and paddle the boat out of immediate danger (the conditions which capsized you in the first place ... cos this is for real isn't it ;-)) and then empty out the water by whatever means you prefer - manual pump, rescue, landing etc. Ever read Brian Wilson's 'Blazing paddles'?. A travel writing classic paddle-log well worth a read, but relevant here because Brian paddled an old knordcrap for his round Scotland odyssey which for much of the early trip leaked badly. Every now and again he would stop and empty it but it didn't stop him paddling ... water in boat isn't the overwhelmingly debilitating problem many folk imagine. Cheers Colin 57º19'N 2º10'W *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
At 06:59 AM 3/6/01 +1100, Peter D Osman wrote: >G'Day, > > >Is there any alternative to putting the spray skirt on under water? I prefer >to reenter with the boat completely upside down as this is a smooth fast >movement and you can take a break breathing inside the cockpit. I am having trouble visualizing how one does this. Once you're feet start going into the cockpit how do you get your head in for a breath of air? If your feet are not in the cockpit wouldn't be just as easy to get your breath of air from outside the boat? *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
PeterO wrote: << Is there any alternative to putting the spray skirt on under water? I prefer to reenter with the boat completely upside down as this is a smooth fast movement and you can take a break breathing inside the cockpit. >> JohnF wrote: << I am having trouble visualizing how one does this. Once you're feet start going into the cockpit how do you get your head in for a breath of air? If your feet are not in the cockpit wouldn't be just as easy to get your breath of air from outside the boat? >> I can't speak for PeterO, but I think I understand what he is talking about because I do something similar. To set up for a reentry and roll I put my head in the air pocket inside the cockpit of my inverted boat. After charging my lungs with a couple deep breaths I push my self down into the water as I rotate my feet and legs up into the boat, I can then pull the boat onto my hips and secure my lower body before I start the roll. I find this easier than entering sideways and it has the added benefit of keeping more water out of the boat during the actual entry. I have not had any luck securing the skirt while inverted but I have to believe that it is possible with practice and may be easier with the use of nose plugs. Peter, is this the same thing you were talking about? Jed *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
OK, I'm confused here. Why exactly do you need to catch a breath from the cockpit? Can't you just breath normally before starting the reenter? Big waves, wind? How I do things I to grasp the boat combing with both hands facing sternwards. I have the paddle flush to the boat and held in one of my hands. Always check your paddle position before you get in the boat, I have had to roll too many times with an upside down, non-powerface etc paddle. I then somersault both feet onto my seat and then walk myself back into the boat making sure to more the foot pegs with my in case they've slip forward. Once I've locked my thighs I roll up. Strangely, when I first started doing this, my roll kept failing. I discovered that an extended paddle roll worked fine. After doing this a few times, my regular sweep roll started to work again. I think it may have just been the weirdness of trying to roll a flooded boat. I haven't practiced paddling a flooded boat and will try that, good tip. -Patrick At 11:47 AM -0500 3/7/01, SeaKayakNH_at_aol.com wrote: > > I can't speak for PeterO, but I think I understand what he is talking >about because I do something similar. To set up for a reentry and roll I put >my head in the air pocket inside the cockpit of my inverted boat. After >charging my lungs with a couple deep breaths I push my self down into the >water as I rotate my feet and legs up into the boat, [SNIP] *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: "Patrick Maun" <pmaun_at_bitstream.net>> > I'm confused here. Why exactly do you need to catch a breath from the > cockpit? Can't you just breath normally before starting the reenter? For what it is worth, and I am not a reentry/roller, when I first saw this technique used about a dozen years ago and seriously considering it as something to learn, it was quite different from what seems to be the case today. In almost every case back then, the reentry/rollers kept the kayak totally cockpit down and somersaulted in and attached the spray skirt before finally coming up. None were laying the boat on its side for re-entry because this would draw too much water into the cockpit. The technique was being heralded precisely because it kept water out and avoided later pumping out. The individuals doing it would take gulps of air here and there during the steps described above. It seemed highly doable even to this klutz. I was quite stunned to see it demoed in Sea Kayaker a few years ago by Nigel Foster as a side entry manuever since it was clearly scoping up copious amounts of water. It just looked wrong to me having seen it done better earlier. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
John wrote >I am having trouble visualizing how one does this. Once you're feet >start going into the cockpit how do you get your head in for a breath >of air? If your feet are not in the cockpit wouldn't be just as easy >to get your breath of air from outside the boat? G'Day John. Sorry if it was obscure maybe my technique is wrong but this what I do (corrections/improvements most welcome). Once out I face the stern of the capsized boat, reach under water and take the coaming by both hands while holding the paddle in one hand alongside the kayak/coaming. Then I push my whole body under the water and the boat so that my face is in the cockpit. This is the point where I take a breath, orient myself and start bringing my legs up. The breathing step is probably not necessary for an expert. Then I lay my head back under water, bringing the knees up while still holding the cockpit, at the same time pushing the head and shoulders well down away from the kayak while placing my legs in the cockpit. Then pull the kayak on like a pair of trousers. All the time holding my paddle alongside the cockpit. At this point I roll up although the spray skirt is not on. My point was that it would be useful to put the skirt on under water, but how to do this? Derek Hutchinson describes the procedure in "The Complete Book of Seakayaking" but warns that for safety it requires a friend to be present while practising. He also doesn't suggest putting the face in the cockpit to breathe, maybe one shouln't do this? I taught myself from verbal descriptions so could have got it wrong - if so corrections would be appreciated. The first time I tried I brushed my head against the cockpit and made a bald head balder. Subsequent attempts have been no problem. All the best, PeterO, *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
G'Day, Postscript - I sent my last reply before reading the latest Paddlewise digest and seeing all the questions - not used to telephone modems yet! Thanks for all the responses - here are the replies: - Doug' wrote: > A reliable Reentry and Rolls in real-world > conditions is the sum of many parts. You > can't break it down and say this or that is > the most important part. ................ > You can see the set-up I use at my > Nordkapp page, along with some other photos: Doug, Thanks - I'll certainly check it out. I guess the learning of techniques starts in pieces which become, integrated with time - I sure hope this applies to older paddlers like me! Thomas Cromwell wrote: > I hook the front of the spray skirt on without > completely sealing the cockpit. It cuts the > amount of water in the boat to a manageable level. Thomas, This sounds doable! Sounds good! Colin Calder wrote: > if you can roll a boat with water in it i.e. > re-enter roll, then you can brace and paddle a boat > with water in it. Colin, I paddle a small cockpit boat, with a handpump and an electric pump, but as you suggest will try switching it on while submerged. Paddling a cockpit full of water in rough conditions sounds like a highly worthwhile exercise (with a friend nearby). I've capsized in conditions where there was no easy route to safety and the chop was very severe for a novice. It wasn't obvious to me that my ability to reenter and roll was consistent with an ability to brace with a cockpit full of water in conditions a novice (me) would consider rough (3 to 4 feet chop coming every which way and a 20 knot wind). If I had been in a Klepper foldable these conditions would not have concerned me a bit! Jed wrote: - > Peter, is this the same thing you were talking about? Jed, Yes my technique sounds the same as yours - but I'm going to work on the bombproof roll you recommend. Occasionally have had to make three roll attempts before getting up! HipFlick HipFlick HipFlick! Patrick Maun wrote: - > I'm confused here. Why exactly do you need to catch a breath > from the cockpit? Can't you just breath normally before > starting the reenter? Big waves, wind? ..................... > Always check your paddle position before you get in the > boat, I have had to roll too many times with an upside down, > non-powerface etc paddle. Patrick, Just as you sometimes used to get into the boat with the paddle backwards, sometimes I used to try to get in the boat facing forwards. The breathing time allows me to check orientation, an expert probably wouldn't do this. (By the way a local paddler stayed in this mode once to protect himself from very severe hail.) Ralph Diaz wrote: - > In almost every case back then, the reentry/rollers kept > the kayak totally cockpit down and somersaulted in and > attached the spray skirt before finally coming up. Ralph, your description is my Eldorado and I can do everything except get the spray skirt on. Haven't attempted this yet, but lots of hints from Paddlewise. Once I can do this and pass my sea proficiency then I'll try it on a Kepper Aerius, for fun! By comparison I've watched people reenter hardshell boats on their side and it looks difficult and clumsy. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Peter D Osman wrote: > G'Day, > > Postscript - I sent my last reply before reading the latest Paddlewise > digest and seeing all the questions - not used to telephone modems yet! > Thanks for all the responses - here are the replies: - > > Doug' wrote: > > A reliable Reentry and Rolls in real-world > > conditions is the sum of many parts. You > > can't break it down and say this or that is > > the most important part. ................ > > You can see the set-up I use at my > > Nordkapp page, along with some other photos: > > Doug, Thanks - I'll certainly check it out. I guess the learning of > techniques starts in pieces which become, integrated with time - I sure > hope this applies to older paddlers like me! (snip) --------- Peter, et al: As ralph pointed out, the way the Reentry & Roll (R&R) used to be taught was such that little water would enter the cockpit by re-inverting to the upright position after fastening the skirt underwater. I usually do a little instruction at the end of my paddlefloat clinics, then go on to demonstrate the speed of the R&R over the full paddlefloat rescue, then go on to help a few of the keeners try it out. I would say that the vast majority prefer a side-scoop style reentry, as opposed to full inversion. With a very buoyant PFD, one almost always floats by default to the horizontal position before completion, anyway, necessitating more of a side entry, with consequential flooding. The side entry (kayak is laying on its side as opposed to completely upside-down), can also be a little easier on the head in cold water. Trying to get back in fully immersed, then orient your paddle's power face, then roll back up remembering your hip snap -- all the while not perhaps seated as you normally would be for a typical roll where you are locked in place -- all with an ice-cream headache, can be very difficult indeed. On the flip side though, without a paddlefloat on the end of the paddle, some paddlers may not have the sculling/bracing skills to right themselves once they are sitting partially back in sideways. There are all kinds of tradeoffs, depending on your methodology. I noticed some of the CRCA instructors here on the west coast of Canuk land are advocating the side entry over full immersion, and actually coaching against full immersion. I prefer to define the various parameters for students, then let them work with what suites them and there boat/skill level best. During my Trial Island incident a few years back, a full immersion R&R was too much for me to handle, given the storm/tide/ poor fitness/mental malaise/lack of cold immersion headgear. Every time I tried the full immersion method, I got a vertigo type response, and lacked the savy/strength to get directly under the boat for the proper reverse wet exit, let alone do up the spray skirt. Conditions were extreme, though. I tried the side entry method, but the waves kept barreling toward me, flocking me with spin drift as well. I eventually said screw that, and inflated my broad based backup plan, namely deploying my anti-hypothermia Sea Seat (I very much doubt I would have had the dexterity to handle Sponsons). I had done many prior R&R's in rough water, as practice, and was very frustrated that I couldn't make it work at the time. I have since gone back and perfected the points where I felt needed improvement, and the failed attemt seems like a lifetime away, now. For practice, a nylon skirt easily attaches upside down, but I must admit that my custom UK skirt with inner latex seal is difficult to put on at the beach, let alone underwater. Of course, the idea is to not come out of the boat in the first place. I wonder how easy a Tuliq (spelling escapes me tonight) would be to reattach underwater. Of course, those type of paddlers never come out of their boats, right? I still prefer a full immersion R&R. You must get directly under your kayak, straight-arming so you stay directly below and perpendicular to the cockpit. Your dry suit better be burped. My mental trick in times of stress is to simply remember that you are doing a REVERSE wet exit, which means start the maneuver by looking at the reverse of you kayak. A mental trick that works well as long as you know what end is the reverse of your kayak. Once back in, upside down, the buoyancy of your PFD should push you in tight to your seat, for the roll set-up. If tired, do and extended grip, lay-back roll. I guarantee that will work. A tether is a nice back-up. If the skirt still needs attaching, you can get a breath, relax, then roll over, reattach, then roll back up. The boat is definitely more stable upside down. But then you already know that, as that is why the boat went over in the first place. I could go on ad nauseum here, but my bed is calling my name. I also have a manuscript 50% done for Sea Kayaker Magazine. I'm waiting for some rough weather to test a few more points out and get some pics for the article, but it has been warm and calm this winter - drat! If SK rejects my articlet, I'll submit to the next best payer, though my preference lies with them. I also have three years worth of PW commentary, as well as other list-server posts on the Reentry & Roll technique. The subject has come up a number of times. I'd give the threads to Jackie (PW ones), but I only cut and pasted the portions that interested me, sorry. I'll respond to the front deck paddle hold down tomorrow. DL > *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:20 PDT