Re: [Paddlewise] kayaker presumed dead at MALIBU, Calif.

As part of five points ever double paddler should know Raphael wrote this
one:

> 3.- If there is only one paddler holding the kayak and the other is
adrift,
> the lonely paddler must climb on the back seat to have better control of
> the kayak and be able to go and recover his friend. It is hard to control
a
> tandem from the front seat, specially in bad weather.

I agree with the other 4 points but think this one needs to be modified some
as I don't think it holds true in several cases, including the most likely
"accidentally solo" one (such as the one that resulted in this thread).

I suggest (for your modification and editing):

3. If a paddler must paddle solo in a double kayak it is generally
preferable to be in the cockpit that has the rudder controls (usually the
stern). However, if the paddler must make headway into a strong wind (such
as to retrieve the partner that your previously two-person kayak has blown
away from) the paddler should immediately paddle whichever end of the kayak
they are in directly back upwind towards the swimmer (rather than trying to
turn the kayak around). If they were formerly in the same kayak, the swimmer
will be upwind because the kayak will have blown down wind much faster than
the swimmer can even swim while trying to catch the boat. Also the end of
the kayak the now solo paddler is in will most likely be pointed into the
wind because the lighter end of the now unbalanced tandem kayak will
weathervane back. The odds are small that a solo paddler will be able to
turn a tandem kayak around anyhow, and during the time wasted trying they
will be blown much further away from the swimmer. Even if the swimmer can
still be spotted in the waves at this increased distance, it will be far
harder to get back to them over that now much greater distance. This means,
if you are seated in the rear cockpit, immediately paddle backwards (lifting
the rudder clear of the water if it can't be held from flopping over to one
side). If you find yourself in the bow cockpit paddle forwards (rather than
trying to switch cockpits to the rudder control position.

Notes:
The rudder will not help much for turning a long light bow up into a strong
wind.
If the rudder flops to one side while backing up into a wind, stop paddling
but hold that flopped over rudder position until you begin drifting downwind
. Once moving downwind again, straighten the rudder and lift it out of the
water so it can no longer be forced over to one side.
Practice paddling a kayak backwards at a fast speed. If the rudder can flop
over nearly 90 degrees it can be used as a stern brake that may even help
point the drifting kayak's stern into the wind more). Very few sea kayakers
are good at going backwards (but most river kayakers are--"Is that a
waterfall just ahead"). Tip for powerful back strokes: dig deep, and stroke
hard, right next to the kayak. Push directly in line with your forearm and
pull the upper hand back while using lots of torso rotation. Only reach out
away from the side of the kayak if you must correct course (to turn to the
opposite side of the stroke you are taking).

Rather than "now solo paddler", above, maybe it should read: "recently
divorced tandem paddler...
...who got the boat" ;-)

Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com


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