Peter O said: <<< Flippers! One of the most experienced sea kayakers I know considers them an important safety backup. I don't carry them and would need to learn how to use them. Wonder how many sea kayakers carry them and have had to use them in an emergency? >>> I was in the scuba shop this past week looking for a pair. I was discouraged by the price, as they are not a high priority right now. Now that I have a dive-quality dry suit, I figured a pair would extend my back-up options as well as be useful for snorkel activities on a trip and possible food gathering. I'm just waiting for a good sale. I'll be buying a pair that fit onto the end of a pair of booties, as opposed to a pair that fit like socks. I've had to swim a few times, sometimes with boat in tow, and sometimes not -- when conditions were too hairy or other factors prevented immediate re-entry or indeed loss of boat. Anything to extend the range and efficiency getting back to shore or whatever is invaluable (as is avoiding those situations in the first place, of course). DL *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Doug wrote: - >I've had to swim a few times, sometimes with boat >in tow, and sometimes not -- when conditions were >too hairy or other factors prevented immediate >re-entry or indeed loss of boat. Doug, Was this to come in through surf? Or some other circumstance? When I was told about using flippers it was in the context of having to land through large surf by hanging on to the back of the boat and swimming in. I was told that this was a method used by the armed services - in your opinion is this a viable option? Its not something I would do for fun but I can well imagine having to consider it. All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Next week I'm heading to the Abacos Islands in the Bahamas. Can anyone recommend outfitters or spots to visit or trips to take in this area? I'm already aware of Abaco Outfitters in Marsh Harbor and a rental company at Boar Harbor. Those might be the only two on the islands. Any place or any one to stay away from? I tried a Google search on Paddlewise and Abaco, but got no hits. [Does Paddlewise have it's own searchable archives? I didn't see any mention of it on the Paddlewise site.] Thanks so much for your suggestions and comments. -Kevin Zembower -- kevinz_at_charm.net Kevin Zembower *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
When I think "flippers" in the context of sea kayaking, I'm thinking of efficient swimming capabilities that the flippers impart. Yes, surf would be one application. Paul Caffyn might have a better idea if it sounds practical and viable (folks can get hold of him through <http://www.kask.co.nz/>, editor. I don't think you need fins normally for swimming your kayak in (and by the way, many folks do this even in mild surf, because they don't like side-surfing in, so bail out first). My concerns are with situations where one might get caught in an alongshore current and need the extra boost of the flippers. Also, hypothermia concerns are based on total time in the water, and diving type flippers with their powerful thrust potentiality get you where you want to go so much quicker in situations where reentry isn't advisable. I can well imagine armed forces personnel using the flippers-on method, but would tend to think it is more in the context that these guys are already geared up in this fashion. That's my read on it anyway. BTW, my new drysuit uses a rugged yet flexible material called Quadraflex (black) that is apparently used by the Navy Seals. So, add some fins, a little surf, and I'm ready for covert operations. Maybe Greenpeace will hire me. PeterO wrote: > Doug wrote: - > > >I've had to swim a few times, sometimes with boat > >in tow, and sometimes not -- when conditions were > >too hairy or other factors prevented immediate > >re-entry or indeed loss of boat. > > Doug, > > Was this to come in through surf? Or some other circumstance? When I was > told about using flippers it was in the context of having to land through > large surf by hanging on to the back of the boat and swimming in. I was told > that this was a method used by the armed services - in your opinion is this > a viable option? Its not something I would do for fun but I can well imagine > having to consider it. > > All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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