[Paddlewise] Fw: So Calif Whale Watch Paddle & Lessons Learned

----- Original Message -----
From: Steven A. Holtzman
To: ptreby_at_ozemail.com.au ; PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net
Sent: February 18, 2002 1:31 PM
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] So Calif Whale Watch Paddle & Lessons Learned


Peter,

Foot pumps are an excellent idea. My pump was not stripped from my deck. I
don't carry anything on my front deck except my chart case if I'm using a
map. I keep my pump between my seat and the hull. It fits in there pretty
tightly, but not tight enough as I found out. I am on my way to the store to
buy more bungie cord to tether to the seat ;-)

I usually tether my paddle to me when the wind is really strong, and I feel
that there is a chance of losing the paddle. This capsize came out of the
blue--remember, I've never had a deepwater capsize that wasn't something
planned for practice.

The group spread wasn't too bad. Again, these are all very experienced
paddlers and everybody buddies up in groups of two and three. This has not
been a problem in the past because when someone in front of you capsizes
it's just a few strokes and you're there. The problem was that with only two
of us as the sweep and 8 foot swells mixed with some whitecaps and breaking
wind waves--when I went over my buddy immediately turned to start a rescue.
The others could not see us because it was difficult to be looking backwards
while still controlling your boat, and there were these 6-8 foot waves
between us.

My thinking now is that it is best to buddy up in groups of three rather
than two.

Peter Treby wrote:

I have seen a few hand pumps washed off decks here. Surf will strip away
anything loosely held under bungies. The lesson I take from that is to use a
pump fitted to the boat.......... A hands free pump gets rid of another
problem you mention, not wanting to stop paddling to pump. You paddle and
pump.
A tether from paddle to boat when there is wind helps. If you can hold on to
either boat or paddle, you have the other......

........Was there a problem here of group spread? I'm starting to think that
small
groups of say 6 maximum are best, and everyone should continually check on
everyone else.

***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************