Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle leashes

Thank you Peter and Scott, for giving most of the answers I wanted to in
response to
wrf_at_cisunix.unh.edu's six points defending paddle to wrist tethers. Without
repeating what they said I'd like to add a few more points.

>>>>>2. If you do loose your boat (bad ,bad) then having your paddle
(strapped
to your wrist) might allow you to paddle-swim to catch your boat if it is
only
a short distance away.  With a PFD on paddle swimming is a good way to
go for short distances. Or the paddle can be easily discarded if need
be.<<<<<<<

I've never had any trouble hanging on to an unfeathered paddle when upside
down in the surf (if I let go of it with one hand so it is free to pivot
around and spill the forces of the blades). I don't have experience with an
unfeathered paddle in this situation but I suspect it might be harder to
hang onto because the same force might act on both blades at once pulling
the paddle straight away from me with considerable force.
Since the kayak will blow away so much faster than the paddle if you do
loose it in strong winds, it is imperative that you don't waste even a
second in beginning to try to swim it down before it gets even further away
from you. You can sprint for a short distance but not a long one. Shedding
the paddle leash or even getting organized to swim using the paddle will
loose you a few seconds at this critical time. I don't see the paddle
attached to the kayak as being much of an anchor, in this strong wind
situation (as some have suggested), but if it is attached to the kayak and
you let go of both of them at least it is dangling a several feet behind the
kayak and will more likely still be within your reach when you've just
surfaced.
If the paddle/wrist leash is easy to discard just how secure is it if being
thrashed about in the surf. If it is securely fastened to the wrist and the
paddle is unfeathered, how securely fastened is your hand to your forearm or
your arm to your torso. I'd prefer to have the ability to let go instantly
if faced with an overwhelming force to the paddle. As a skier I used to hate
those so-called "safety" straps that attached at a single point from boot to
ski. Six stitches in my knee, hard blows to my head and cuts in my scalp
along with a lot of leg bruises quickly soured me on the concept. While
there is probably a lot less danger tethering ones paddle to ones wrist in
surf, loosing the paddle has not been a problem for me so I'm not going to
take that risk for what appear to be very minor benefits. In bigger surf  I
don't want to be anywhere near the kayak (especially up or down wave from
it) that I've bailed out of  unless I'm confident I can reenter and roll
between breakers or wrap myself firmly around the kayak (and am wearing a
helmet as well) before the next breaker hits.

>>>>>3. Doing a wet re-entry/rescue I like not having the paddle tied to the
boat-
it seems to give me more manuvering room to get the paddle float on and
into position for climbing back into the boat.  And I cannot imagine any but
the wildest scenario where a wrist telthered paddle could entangle the
kayaker?<<<<<<<

With a shock cord tether it is often possible to set up the paddle float
rescue without untethering the paddle. Another option is to move the hook on
the end boat end of the tether temporarily to near the deck lines holding
the outriggered paddle down.

>>>>>>4. When rolling I guess I did not like all the lines (paddle tethered
to the
bungies) dangling around  when trying to set up for the roll- I find a
paddle
tethered to my wrist much less cumbersome in this situation and if it
becomes a problem the tether is very easily slipped off the wrist.<<<<<,

I've purposefully tried many times to get the paddle to boat tether to wrap
around my neck during rolling practice and could not succeed in doing it
even with a 5 foot long parachute cord for a tether. 2.5 feet of shock cord
should make this virtually impossible and will still stretch enough to allow
you to do any brace or roll I can imagine without you realizing you've
stretched the cord in doing so.

>>>>>>>5. If you do become separated from your boat you still have your
paddle
and it may be of some help to others in locating you (i.e. waving it) as you
are more visible with your paddle in the air. <<<<<<<

This is certainly a benefit of retaining the paddle and I have used it
myself to save a long swim.  Maybe you could tether the paddle to the boat
and your wrist to the paddle. Don't try this in surf though because a kayak
is way more likely (than the paddle) to separate you from your arm when
thrown forward by a breaker.

>>>>>>6. Last and least important I did not like the wear and tear on the
bungies
from a leash tethered to the bungies.<<<<<<<

I prefer attaching the tether's clip to a nylon deck line but I don't see
how a nylon clip is going to put much wear and tear on the deck bungies (if
that is all that is available to tether to). Most of the time it just sits
there with no tug on it.

>>>>>>>>>As I paddle alone 98% of the time a paddle leash is just one more
little bit
of insurance besides it keeps my paddle from escaping during
coffee/photgraphy breaks.  It certainly would not be a good thing in white
water nor surf. <<<<<<<<

Might this wrist tether not be more likely to get in the way of doing these
things than a tether from the paddle to the kayak (or better yet a paddle
park that you can release instantly-see the about 1/2 way into the "Owner's
"  manual on our website for one way to make a paddle park. Can I sue you if
a yank from the paddle leash causes me to spill hot coffee on my lap.


Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com/


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