Re: [Paddlewise] snorkeling while still in a kayak

From: "Paul Raymond" <kayaker37_at_hotmail.com>

> I don't know if this was to scout out an interesting spot to snorkel, if he 
> would regularly snorkel while still in the kayak, or if the person telling 
> me this was pulling my leg.
> 
> Which is it, has anyone heard of such a thing?

I practiced this in the pool this winter.  I use a mask, snorkel and 
a paddle float.  I drop to one side with the paddle float on my hand and
use it to provide the extra bouyancy to stay at the surface rather than
sink.  In this position, I can observe what's underwater and swim
with the kayak.  To right myself, I do a float-assisted hand roll.

I tried this to see if it would work.  I often find myself in an area
where there are wrecks in shallow water (there are lots of such wrecks
in the Great Lakes) but the surface reflections make it difficult to 
see.  This will allow me to observe the wrecks comfortably without
exiting the kayak.  The mask and snorkel fit in my knee tube and the
paddle float is always behind my seat in the cockpit, so it's not a 
big deal to lug around this stuff.

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