One more step forward. Why? Because we went out for the first time to a distance that would put us out of sight of anything, except for a very fine line due to high mountains very far away on our back (which we couldnīt see anyway). Had to use either compass or GPS and decided to ignore electronics for navigation and used it only for statistics. What did we conquer? For one thing, we are putting markers on all the Islands around Veracruz, that nobody has done kayaking, as far as we know, but that is not that big a thing. We made an internal conquest. We went out with just a little concern, but confident, knowing that we depended only on our abilities, resistance to heat and time, chosen resources like compass, water, PFD, paddlefloat, extra paddle, mirror or whatever. We had a trip plan, advised our relatives, set up an ultimate arrival time before people would start looking for free kayaks, etc., and off we went. Had VHF radio, cell phone on dry bags, lunch, stools, energy bars, 1.5 gallons of water and two liters of Gatorade. If you really want to read the report or parts of it I am separating it in sections. If you want to see the trip you can check the pictures at http://community.webshots.com/user/cayucochief I am writing in the following order: team, navigation, rescues, time and speed, flaws, lessons learned. TEAM.- Juan Luis (24), Rafael (56). Juan Luis had a home made paddle that broke on the first strokes and an EPIC carbon fiber as spare. He wanted to test the new light paddle and see if it would take the beating. He was paddling a new design boat (16.2 ft). I used a slightly stronger paddle made at our shop also (28.2 oz) and a kayak just like the one we took to California in 2002 (16.2 ft). NAVIGATION. After checking compass angle on the first Island (Isla de Enmedio visible from Land), I determined from the GPS that the next Light house or light pole or light whatever was 110š from North in CW direction. Nothing could be seen in the horizon except for water, sky and light clouds. As we started moving a strong current and light North wind pushed us to almost 120š. I tried to correct angle all the time by paddling towards 100š, but with little distraction we were going again 120š. It was easier to drift down with rear waves than to paddle with side waves. Sea was choppy with a choppiness you only see in the Gulf of Mexico. Waves were not too big but would come every now and then in any direction, with predominant South West. Sun was rising at roughly 77š, left of our supposed objective. After a long paddle, Juan Luis saw a small, vertical, grey line close to the horizon. That seemed to be our target since there was no closer object in the neighborhood of that light. The light marked the North End of a big reef called El Cabezo, that is about 1.5 nm wide and 3 nm long. As we moved towards the light our compass marked 80š most of the time. I had considered the bearing for the South light (110š) instead of the North light (90š). Therefore, and since we got there, I give myself a C+. Weīll do better next time. Just to finish this section let me tell you that the light had no land around. It was hard to put out at its base, because waves were hitting and splashing. We did a little bit of rock patioing (small to be called rock gardening). We saw some rocks far away and decided to paddle and look for sand to have lunch but there were only rocks and waves hitting on them, so ....we decided to go back looking for the next LIGHT (El Rizo Reef) wishing that it would have a place to stand up. We did better with our navigation this time. RESCUES.- Starting back from El Cabezo, and considering what was going to be a long paddle, I felt the need to look for a bathroom. I knew I would not have to worry a lot if I could not distinguish the male door from the female door. I had no bottle for the purpose, so I decided to go for a swim. There was a nice shallow section of about 7 feet deep, whose bottom looked so close, but really wasn`t. Anyway it was beautiful. Juan Luis did a couple of rolls, and practiced leaning back on the very low back coaming of the new boat. It looked great. Then I turned over, wet exited and established my negotiation with nature. The mild temperature water felt so good. The day was hot with announced extreme UV radiation and we were tired. I reentered and rolled and once up I noticed that it is very difficult to pump water out without using a paddle float as an outrigger. Juan Luis came by, and held the boat. Next time, if I have to wet exit (which should not be needed, if p bottle and all), I`ll reenter and roll with the paddlefloat, and after I pump out, I`ll store it and continue to go. With the paddlefloat, placing the free blade end under the thigh brace, you can keep the balance by moving your waist, like circus wire men do with their long balance rod. If waves turn you to your left side, the paddle and float weight will compensate, if they push you to your right, the paddle will float and you can support yourself on the shaft. That way you have both hands free to pump out, even with semi rough waters. TIME AND SPEED.- Started our trip by 7:30 AM. Our first stop was at 7:32, when Juan Luis broke the paddle and we had to get the spare paddle and store the pieces. Ended by 2:30 PM. Spent about 15 minutes in Isla de Enmedio and about 70 minutes having lunch at the light tower El Rizo. Distance was 17.2 nautical miles. Moving time 5 :24:18, Moving average 3.2 knots (This includes rolls, water drinking, picture taking, since drifting was strong and is considered as speed for GPS average terms). Overall average 3.0 knots (lunch not included). Max speed 5.7 knots. FLAWS.- I relied on reading the GPS to determine the next objective angle. Once there, the cover was wet, and I did not have my glasses, so I wasted time interpreting the data. Need a big drawing with times, distances and coordinates, usually called map. Juan Luis brought a Jalapeņo pepper can and when we opened it there were refried beans. Turned out OK because we needed proteins. We forgot mayonaisse for our Tuna fish, and were wondering who was going back to get it. LESSONS LEARNED.- 1.- Bring enough water. We used all we brought, and wondered what would have happened if the trip lasted one or two more hours. 2.- Donīt forget the spare paddle. Good we had four sets. 3.- Make a good map and give each paddler a copy. 4.- When compass navigating consider carefully drifting currents. 5.- Trimming your boat is important. Changed weight from front to back compartment and recovered good tracking in side waves. --------------------------- OTHER ASPECTS 6.- When averaging your speed with the GPS, if you have to go slowly against current, turn the GPS off and turn it on when you have following seas, and donīt tell anybody, specially if your are going to be evaluated for the Outer Islands Channel Crossing. 7.- When an object looks far away it is far away, but when an object looks close it is far away. Best Regards, Rafael el cayucochief www.mayanseas.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. 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Rafael, very nice, and congrats! Very entertaining post... I particularly liked the "Other Aspects" seen below :-) > OTHER ASPECTS > 6.- When averaging your speed with the GPS, if you have to go slowly > against current, turn the GPS off and turn it on when you have > following > seas, and donīt tell anybody, specially if your are going to be evaluated > for the Outer Islands Channel Crossing. > 7.- When an object looks far away it is far away, but when an object looks > close it is far away. Rick *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 7/16/2003 2:04:58 PM Eastern Standard Time, Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com writes: > particularly liked the "Other Aspects" seen below :-) > > > OTHER ASPECTS > > 6.- When averaging your speed with the GPS, if you have to go slowly against current, turn the GPS off and turn it on when you have following seas, and donīt tell anybody,...>> hee hee...and what, Rafael, is the "Other Aspect" for getting lost while leaving the Guadalajara Airport with a GPS sitting on your dashboard? oops...I forgot. Rafael maintained that he wasn't lost. He knew exactly where we were. He just missed the turnoff to Queretaro. sandy kramer miami *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Raphael wrote: >>>>>I reentered and rolled and once up I noticed that it is very difficult to pump water out without using a paddle float as an outrigger. Juan Luis came by, and held the boat. Next time, if I have to wet exit (which should not be needed, if p bottle and all), I'll reenter and roll with the paddlefloat, and after I pump out, I'll store it and continue to go. With the paddlefloat, placing the free blade end under the thigh brace, you can keep the balance by moving your waist, like circus wire men do with their long balance rod. If waves turn you to your left side, the paddle and float weight will compensate, if they push you to your right, the paddle will float and you can support yourself on the shaft. That way you have both hands free to pump out, even with semi rough waters.<<<<<< Thanks for pointing out the pump out flaw in the re-enter and roll scenario. Sometimes I wonder how many who practice reenter and rolls ever bother to pump out the kayak as part of the practice session. Pumping out is the crux of this rescue but few seem to even realize it. I'll have to try the blade inside the cockpit outrigger. It is new to me. Where did you learn it, or did you make it up? I wonder why you don't just fasten the paddle to the back deck while still in the water (easier to do then), use it to stabilize the boat for reentry, and then leave it in place while you pump out? If fastened right it is a simple matter to slip the paddle back out (or free it however you have devised) to continue paddling. Matt Broze www.marinerkayaks.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/ ***************************************************************************
<<I wonder why you don't just fasten the paddle to the back deck while still in the water (easier to do then), use it to stabilize the boat for reentry, and then leave it in place while you pump out? If fastened right it is a simple matter to slip the paddle back out (or free it however you have devised) to continue paddling.>> Of course you are now talking about doing a paddlefloat rescue because you kinda' need the paddle for a reenter and roll. Though the end result of a paddlefloat self rescue is better water-wise than a reenter and roll, the reenter and roll is MUCH faster and less tiring. Then you do have to face all that extra water but you are IN the boat. Either way you have to pump it out. I also like the idea of the paddle blade under the thigh brace. I have no idea if it works for any of my boats so I'll have to give it a try. Pumping out my boats is a BIG amount of water and, yes, I do practice it and it makes me very tired, especially if I'm working in conditions that require blanacing my boat. I've been tempted to get a skirt with a zipper in the deck so I can put the pump in there if I ever needed to. The skirt would be in the way of putting the paddle blade under the thigh brace. Oh well, I'll keep working on it. The ideal solution is a pump that doesn't require 2 hands, like a foot pump. Oh no, not that again! Joan Spinner *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
At 12:29 a.m. 19/07/2003 -0700, Matt Broze wrote: >Thanks for pointing out the pump out flaw in the re-enter and roll scenario. >Sometimes I wonder how many who practice reenter and rolls ever bother to >pump out the kayak as part of the practice session. Pumping out is the crux >of this rescue but few seem to even realize it. I'll have to try the blade >inside the cockpit outrigger. It is new to me. Where did you learn it, or >did you make it up? > >I wonder why you don't just fasten the paddle to the back deck while still >in the water (easier to do then), use it to stabilize the boat for reentry, >and then leave it in place while you pump out? If fastened right it is a >simple matter to slip the paddle back out (or free it however you have >devised) to continue paddling. Hi Matt, I had a good roll and somehow lost it and spent a year and a half failing to recover it. So I did a lot, and I mean, a lot of paddle float reenter exercises. I have tried everything and I know that the paddlefloat rescue, tying your paddle in the back or sliding it inside the back bungies works very well but is more time consuming than the paddlefloat reentry and roll. Therefore I was faced with the problem of pumping out and my kayak is unstable to start with. Two techniques worked well for me, and they were acquired on a trial and error base. (You know, mankind has discovered many things through years that way, and it seems to me that it`s been that many trials I have made in all kinds of waters.) 1.- Place the pump in between one leg and the side coaming and hold it with the leg against the coaming. Then you have one hand to stabilize the boat with the paddle and the other to pump out. 2.- Silde the paddle blade under the left thigh brace and push it upwards with the left knee. Then it makes leverage on the right coaming. Then I use both hands to pump. If a wave comes, I can release the pump for a second and hold the shaft to stay balanced. It really works and you are out paddling in no time. Right now I prefer not to miss a roll but if I have to wet exit, I can guarantee you is easier. Now, if I am teaching self rescue, I will always have people learn the paddlefloat rescue using the back bungies as paddle holder, and climbing on the cockpit, etc ..in the manner you devised it long ago. But if somebody has a close to good roll, then Iīll suggest him the paddlefloat reentry and roll and paddle thigh brace support for pumping. Best Regards, Rafael el cayucochief www.mayanseas.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/ ***************************************************************************
<<Right now I prefer not to miss a roll but if I have to wet exit, I can guarantee you is easier. Now, if I am teaching self rescue, I will always have people learn the paddlefloat rescue using the back bungies as paddle holder, and climbing on the cockpit, etc ..in the manner you devised it long ago. But if somebody has a close to good roll, then Iīll suggest him the paddlefloat reentry and roll and paddle thigh brace support for pumping>> Someone doesn't need to have a roll at all to use the reenter and roll with the paddlefloat. I like teaching non-rollers to do that because it gets them very used to being under the boat, they become oriented under the water, and they can practice hip flicks and leaning back as they come up. Being victim in a scoop rescue has the same effect with leaning back and head last and all that roll stuff. One other advantage to the reenter and roll is that you can just rest and time your attempt with your legs in the boat, floating in you pfd. Sometimes I've found that getting myself in position I've gotten a bit out of breath and the rest makes sure I don't rush the roll up, especially if I'm practicing with the paddlefloat. In rough water I wouldn't even try without the paddlefloat because I'll need its help as I pump out the small ocean of water in my boat anyway. The reenter and roll also shows you that you can roll a boat full of water and practicing without a skirt does have some use. It is just a slower roll and it doesn't stop as easily. Joan Spinner *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> >Someone doesn't need to have a roll at all to use the reenter and roll with >the paddlefloat. I like teaching non-rollers to do that because it gets them >very used to being under the boat, they become oriented under the water, and >they can practice hip flicks and leaning back as they come up. Being victim in >a scoop rescue has the same effect with leaning back and head last and all >that roll stuff. > Joan Spinner wrote: > One other advantage to the reenter and roll is that you can just rest and >time your attempt with your legs in the boat, floating in you pfd. Sometimes >I've found that getting myself in position I've gotten a bit out of breath and >the rest makes sure I don't rush the roll up, especially if I'm practicing >with the paddlefloat. In rough water I wouldn't even try without the >paddlefloat because I'll need its help as I pump out the small ocean of water >in my boat anyway. > > > The reenter and roll also shows you that you can roll a boat full of water >and practicing without a skirt does have some use. It is just a slower roll >and it doesn't stop as easily. I fully agree with you Joan and the easiest way to learn rolling is starting with the paddlefloat as I was taught in Southwest Kayaks, in Irvine Calif. Rafael www.mayanseas.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/ ***************************************************************************
> Now, if I am teaching self rescue, I will always have people learn the > paddlefloat rescue using the back bungies as paddle holder, and climbing on the > cockpit, etc ..in the manner you devised it long ago. Incorporating the rear bunjies to hold the paddle during a paddlefloat rescue is certainly the easiest way to perform the rescue. Using the rear bunjies really requires very little technique. However, not all boats are fitted with rear deck bunjies. Doing the paddlefloat rescue without the use of the rear bunjies requires a bit more technique, and practice to perfect. It is precisely for those reasons that I teach the paddlefloat rescue without the use of the rear bunjies. I may demonstrate the use of the bunjies, but I want my students to learn how to do it without. Scott So.Cal. *************************************************************************** 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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