Re: [Paddlewise] Re:Solid Paddle Floats and PF rescues

From: ralph diaz <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2001 10:36:48 -0400
----- Original Message -----
From: "Thomas Cromwell" <cthomas28_at_qwest.net>
> Joan wrote:
> >How do you avoid <breaking your paddle during a paddlefloat
> rescue>
> >
>
> One advantages of practicing paddle float rescues is finding
> out if your paddle is suitable for sea kayaking. If the
> paddle breaks during a practice paddle float rescue it is
> unsuited for Sea kayaking.
> If you paddle with some fancy super doper light paddle then
> keep in mind that it is a survivability negative; like
> paddling solo, not wearing a PFD, not having flotation, etc.
>
> If you don't wet exit your boat must of these survival items
> do not come into play, but a weak paddle can fail any time.
> Like in the surf or pushing off a rock.

There have been some quite good descriptions of the mindset one has to have
in doing a paddlefloat rescue.  Both Doug and Gabriel mentioned variations
of thinking in terms of pulling the boat toward you rather than think in
terms of climbing on to the boat; Doug's description (pulling it toward you
in a series of push pull motions) is a particularly good one.  Another
mindset that can avoid putting too much pressure on the paddlefloat and
paddle is to think of the outrigger as an outrigger keeping the _boat_ from
tipping over rather than think of it as something you are using to support
_you_ or something to climb on to.  I have seen people throw a leg and lots
of weight on to the outrigged paddle and this seemed to be inviting
problems.

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."
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Received on Fri Apr 20 2001 - 07:36:49 PDT

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