Phil, I use both techniques of launching, depending on the launching conditions. In a calm bay, I float my kayak and then get in the cockpit, using my paddle extended across the back deck for balance. However, if there is surf at the launch, I put the kayak down on the wet/dry sand line, get in it, secure the spray skirt, and then use my paddle and hand on the sand to scoot down into the water. This technique prevents getting sucked into the breaking waves with the spray skirt off. Bt the way, if you use a paddle to help scoot (which is more effective than scooting with just the hands), make sure the you keep the blade that is in the sand parallel to the kayak, otherwise the back and forth angling of the blade as it digs in the sand can break the blade. Duane Strosaker Southern California www.rollordrown.com *************************************************************************** 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 Sat Nov 09 2002 - 08:51:05 PST
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:31:00 PDT