SNStone_at_aol.com wrote: > [About swimming a kayak out through surf] > > > > > Now I have never tried this nor do I think I would try this. Let's > > do a little risk assessment. First, you are tying yourself via a tow > > line to an approximately 70 lbs, 16 foot by 23/24inch floating > > object. I'm not planning to ty myself to it. I'm planning to keep the rope in one hand. > > This is going to act as an anchor as you swim through the > > surf. Are you strong enough to maintain forward momentum to pull the > > kayak? I don't know, that's why I ask. > > > > Second, we all know kayaks never want to go where we want to go in > > difficult conditions. The kayak going through the surf is going to > > go where it wants. It may capsize, is may turn sideways - increasing > > the area for the surf to hit it, it may get filled with water at > > 8lbs per gallon. It will definitely capsise, even roll. It will not turn sideways, since the "anchor" is dragging from the front. > > Finally, you would be putting yourself into an entanglement risk. > > The kayak gets trashed by the surf, you get trashed, one moves at a > > different speed and direction. Next think, wammo, the tow line is > > around your body, neck, etc and you are in deep, deep, trouble. The kayak will be pushed in the direction of the beach much faster then the swimmer, so the rope will be tight all the time. In surf smaller then, say, 4 feet, you will not get "thrashed" anyway, you can more or less walk through, while 4 feet can be quite a surf to handle in a kayak. > > Finally, if you/one cannot paddle through the breakers, it is > > reasonable that you can swim through with an anchor attached? Think > > not. Better to wait on shore and drink some wine and comtemplate the > > dumping surf. I'll explain why I ask the question. I'm preparing myself and my equipment for another 3 week vacation on the shores of Corsica, in the Mediterranian. I'm planning some overnight trips, camping on small, steep beaches or rocks, far from civilisation, and more important, fresh water. Naturally I will carry extra food and water for, say, 2 days, but waiting out a Mistral for the usual 5 days may not be an option. On the open water we're talking a fresh breeze and some cute waves to play with, while on a rocky beach you may find a murderous surfzone of about 10 meters wide. Part of my preparation is rereading "Deep Trouble", that's why I come up with this kind of scenario. > > > > Sorry if this sounds harsh, > > As long as I have the last word. Niels. *************************************************************************** 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 Thu Apr 03 2003 - 12:14:19 PST
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