> What would it take to gain the > experience for such a trip? How much time on the water would it > take to make this a safe(r) trip? Or instruction time? John, I've never paddled the North West, so I'll save those specifics for someone else to answer. But, I'll take a stab at the snip above. You can't measure it in time, number of trips, number of classes etc. It should only be measured in terms of reliable skills. You and your fiance could attend the same classes, take the same number of trips and spend the same time on the water, and be worlds apart in terms of reliable skills. By "reliable", I don't mean that you can do it in a controlled environment (like in a class), I mean that you can do it in situations where the skill is needed, perhaps high winds, high seas, strong currents, nasty eddies, rain, hail, damaged boats, with a sick companion, dizzy, disoriented, while sea-sick, etc. So, here's what I did and you can modify it if you decide to do something similar. I made a matrix. The vertical axis lists all the skills I could think of, and are categorized as "STROKES AND MOVEMENTS" (forward stroke, reverse stroke, high brace, sculling, etc), "RESCUES" (Paddle float, assisted T-Rescue, towing, rafting, 3 varieties of rolls, etc), and "OTHER" (properly using a signal mirror or 2 Way VHF, building a fire with numb hands in high winds, swimming with a paddle, etc). The horizontal axis has three major categories - "CLASSROOM CONDITIONS", "NORMAL CONDITIONS", and "TOUGH CONDITIONS". Each of those is subdivided into "FAMILIAR", "PROFICIENT", and "RELIABLE". There are special cells in the matrix for doing many of the entries while numb, with one arm/hand like trying a paddlefloat entry with a dislocated shoulder, or perhaps removing a spray skirt with only one hand, etc. EVERYTHING must have a cell for "doing while numb" and "doing with one hand". I'm working my way through the matrix and placing an "X" in each cell that I have completed. I expect it to take a number of years (perhaps another 10 years, possibly more) until the entire matrix is filled with "X"s. It's going to take me so long because when I put an "X" in a RELIABLE column, I'm basically saying that I'm willing to bet my life on it. Don't take that too lightly. Anyway, perhaps something of that sort would help you if you tailored it to your specific needs. But remember - until the extended trip is over, you won't know what your "specific" needs were, so be prepared for everything. And finally, don't let the above scare you off from preparing for and taking a wonderful trip. First, use it to evaluate your current and expected skills, and to create a realistic view of what you will and won't be able to do while on the trip. Worst thing you can do is to fool yourself regarding where you think your skills are versus where they actually are. I'm just offering it as something I've done that you might be able to modify and use for yourself. Good luck, I envy your time off!!!!! Rick - Poquoson, VA *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com wrote: > trying a paddlefloat entry with a dislocated shoulder, Rick, your matrix is a good idea. One that we all sort'a carry around in our heads. I dislocated my shoulder once while skiing, I know how debilitating the pain can be. I had to ski down with it, hurt too much to walk, each step I took jarred the shoulder and I got very light headed. Skiing evened out the impacts and allowed me to get down. I can't imagine trying a paddle float reentry with one. If you do, be prepared to feel like you have an orange tucked up tight in your armpit! How does one even begin to practice that? I can see myself out on Chesapeake Bay with some paddling partners, and turn to one and say, "Yo Steve, I want to practice my paddle float reentry, could you come over and dislocate my shoulder?" : -) All kidding aside, the matrix is a good personal tool to focus your training. John Blackburn *************************************************************************** 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 01:49 PM 1/31/02 -0800, John Blackburn wrote: >Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com wrote: > > > trying a paddlefloat entry with a dislocated shoulder, > >Rick, your matrix is a good idea. One that we all sort'a carry around in >our heads. > >I dislocated my shoulder once while skiing, I know how debilitating the >pain can be. I had to ski down with it, hurt too much to walk, each step >I took jarred the shoulder and I got very light headed. The worst thing that ever happened to me what jamming my thumb after I broke a binding (and tried to finish the run on one ski) on Olympic at Kirkwood resort (at one time rated the 4th longest/steepest run in the U.S). It was so sore, I could hardly hold a beer down at mahogany ridge. > Skiing evened out the impacts and allowed me to get down. I can't > imagine trying a paddle float reentry with one. If you do, be prepared > to feel like you have an orange tucked up tight in your armpit! > >How does one even begin to practice that? I can see myself out on >Chesapeake Bay with some paddling partners, and turn to one and say, "Yo >Steve, I want to practice my paddle float reentry, could you come over and >dislocate my shoulder?" : -) Or you could try duct taping an orange into your armpit. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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