Instead of pumping the boat out after a paddlefloat rescue, there is another technique using the paddlefloat that can help empty the boat prior to starting the re-entry. 1. Put the float on the paddle and inflate it. 2. Straddle the paddle between your legs or place it under one of your arms with the paddle float behind you. 3. Using the paddlefloat for additional support you can grab the bow of the boat while leaning back, scissor kick and push straight up with one or both arms. This will usually allow you to both break the cockpit seal with the water, and drain the boat assuming it has a rear bulkhead. 4. As the boat comes down, pivot it so it is right side up. 5. Perform a standard paddlefloat re-entry. This is the technique that I would usually use unless the water was so cold that a couple of minutes more immersion would result in hypothermia. I have practiced this technique in both flat water and not so flat water of 4 - 5 foot swells. It works as long as the paddler as sufficient upper body strength to lift the boat. Total time is usually much less than a standard paddlefloat re-entry and pump out. Steve Holtzman *************************************************************************** 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 Jul 26 2003 - 20:27:36 PDT
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:31:09 PDT