Re: [Paddlewise] Safety - Sponsons vs Paddle Floats

From: Steven A. Holtzman <sh_at_actglobal.net>
Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2002 14:33:13 -0800
Skip,

Don't wait for the weather to warm up unless you're not going to paddle
until then. The biggest risk is hypothermia. If you can't rescue yourself in
cold water, there's no point in just learning it for warm water. Practice
when you are cold and tired. That's probably the shape you will be in when
you need to use it.

The people I paddle with practice our rescues all year long and at least
once per month.

Paddle floats are quick to inflate and when you know how to use them, you
will be in a dry boat while someone using sp*8**ns will still be trying to
fasten them to the boat.

Steve Holtzman

Skip said:

Being new to sea kayaking I have a lot of questions. I have yet to do a self
or assisted rescue (will do as soon as the weather warms up).
snip....
My first thought is
that the sponsons appear be safer and would provide a much easier rescue.
But the paddle floats seem to be in much greater usage so I'm wondering
about
the advantages and disadvantages of each.

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Received on Sat Jan 26 2002 - 14:33:19 PST

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