From: "Doug Lloyd" <dougl_at_islandnet.com> > One of my favorite paddlefloat self rescues involves > simply somersaulting back in upside-down, the holding the shaft of the > paddle with paddlefloat attached at a 45 degree angle. No sweep, no > roll, no movement. Just hold it steady at 45. This is as close to a > self-righting movement that you can get. The boat just follows through > to the upright position, with you left braced on the float. I'm having a hard time visualizing this, but it sounds interesting. I'll try it this weekend in the pool - or at least what I understand it to be. Actually, one thing that I've tried is to do a somersault reentry with a paddlefloat in my hand. Then I do a paddlefloat assisted hand roll. I do a layback and throw the other hand over in order to use the limited lift of the paddlefloat so close to the hull. The advantage is that the paddlefloat is not on the paddle and the paddle is not stuck under the bungies. You're ready to paddle when up and the float is ready for another go if you overturn again. I actually tried this for entirely another reason. The Great Lakes have lots of shipwrecks; many are just below the surface in shallow water. They are difficult to see due to surface glare. I've experimented with using a dive mask and snorkel to float on the surface and see submerged stuff at leisure. I don't exit the kayak, just flop to the side and float face down. I need the paddlefloat to provide enough bouyancy; the pfd isn't enough in this position. One hand is in the float where the paddle blade goes and the other is free to "swim" me and the kayak around. When I want to come back up, I use the float to roll up. The paddle is either under the foredeck bungies or floating on its tether. Mike *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Mar 05 2002 - 23:00:58 PST
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