[Paddlewise] RE Throw bags for sea kayakers (was day hatch)

Michael wrote: -
>While this could happen, we don't get such
>exciting conditions where I paddle.

Chuck wrote: -
>Does anyone know how far a heaving line can be
>thrown from a seated position in a kayak?

Peter Treby wrote: -
>Is the use of a throw line necessary in sea
>kayaking, do you think? More a river requirement.


G'Day Michael, Chuck and Peter (Treby),

Carrying throw ropes is not part of any formal education, recommendation or
law in Oz as far as I know. I haven't seen many sea kayakers here with them
and several expert sea kayakers I respect have tried to dissuade me from
using one. However, I discussed throw ropes vs tow ropes at length with
Wayne Langmaid of Ocean Planet who described its virtues including rescuing
people and boats in trouble near cliffs and rocks, but for a long time I
took the sceptical view.

What Wayne said made sense. The clincher was when a friend about a month ago
told how he came out of his boat while trying to run a gauntlet through a
sea cave. He brushed his head against a rock and the conditions were
impossible for rolling but he managed to swim clear dragging his boat after
a long struggle and got close enough to his companions for an assisted
rescue. Knowing his companions I doubt if he was in serious danger after the
initial capsize (the water was warm) but a throw rope might have helped.

The other instances, where I wished I had a throw rope, were for minor
problems near rocks and cliffs in Sydney harbour (I don't like going near
rocks or cliffs in rough water or swell unless I have to and as for
gauntlets! I've got better ways to spend my time than repairing gelcoat:~))
Anyway it was a swamped kayak being pushed on to rocks and I had to fit a
towline and pull it clear. Another friend reported a similar event with a
small fishing dinghy with a failed motor which he had to pull away from
rocks. Another was where someone in a plastic boat was forced into a 'seal'
landing on oyster covered rocks. If he'ld known I had a throw rope I could
have got him off with much less damage to his hands, paddle and boat.

Chuck has a major good point. I think Wayne can throw it the full 15 meters
but I've only recently started taking throw ropes seriously and have been
practising sitting down on the lawn where I typically throw it accurately 10
to 15 meters. Must try doing it on the water. The bag is the same used by
Wayne. Its a big bag and the rope is 15 meters long, floatable and brightly
colored. The carabiner is big and ugly and looks as though it would scratch
a boat so I've covered parts of it with heat shrink. The carabiner really
puts people off but I haven't exchanged it for a smaller prettier unit
because I reckon you need the weight to get a decent throw. Also it makes a
nice handle for people to hang on to. The carabiner is stored in an elastic
fabric pocket, which would be some protection if it accidentally hit the
rescuee.

So I guess I'm saying throw ropes could be useful where the sea meets the
land!

All the best, PeterO
Sydney, Australia

(Please don't anyone raise the issue of underarm vs overarm throws
Its a very sensitive subject to cricketers in this hemisphere:~)



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