Re: [Paddlewise] Fw: Kayak fatality in FL

From: <KiAyker_at_aol.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Apr 2002 23:22:06 EST
In a message dated 4/5/2002 10:26:56 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
kolsen_at_imaginelan.com writes:


> Nearly all SOTs are easy to get back on.  The challenges are the same as 
> getting up onto the deck of a sea kayak.  

   This seems to be a common misconception. While climbing back onto a SOT 
(or the deck of a sea kayak) may be easy for those of us who are relatively 
fit and athletic, there are those folks out there who have some, if not a 
great deal of difficulty accomplishing this. If you throw in a little fatigue 
and possibly some hypothermia, then the task becomes even harder still.
   This has been a bit of a pet peeve of mine since the introduction of 
sit-on-top "kayaks." They have frequently been presented as being safer then 
enclosed boats since you can "easily" climb back on if you fall off. I use 
SOT's in my surf zone class and know for a fact that a surprising number of 
people have considerable difficulty trying to get back onto those things. It 
requires not only a bit of physical fitness, but some technique and practice.

Scott
So.Cal. 

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Received on Fri Apr 05 2002 - 20:22:27 PST

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