Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle float rescues

I think an electric pump is almost mandatory for a large displacement hull. 
I've seen these pumps extract water out of a fully flooded, big Nimbus 
kayak. Amazing volume of water expelled in a very short time. I couldn't 
imagine hand pumping that much H20. There is a new paddlepark that locks 
onto the front coaming of one's kayak I saw advertised in Sea Kayaker Mag 
recently. Looks like a great way to hold a paddle and paddlefloat deployed 
during pump and skirt attachment phases. Of course, more gadgets to 
carry/rely on. As for re-entry's, with or without a paddlefloat, they are 
fairly easy to do. Paddlers just don't practice the technique enough, nor 
does the technique get much promotion. For big guys, it would probably save 
more than a few broken paddle shafts using the technique you suggest.

Mark, speaking of paddleshafts, I liked your paddleshaft camera holder 
recently profiled. A fine solution that doesn't cost much.

Doug L.

> As a large sized paddler(in kayaking I think they refer to it as
> "grizzly")who paddles mostly solo, I've always been concerned with paddle
> float rescues. I figure if I'm in conditions to knock me over, the idea of
> being able to get my 200 and none-of-your-business pounds back in 
> balancing
> on a paddle float outrigger seems asking too much. It is why I am one of 
> the
> few who will admit to owning, dare I say it, sponsons! Not that I think 
> they
> are the answer instead, I figured in bad conditions I would need all the
> help I could get.
>
> Though I practice the outrigger rescues, I think people would be much 
> better
> off to learn to do paddle float reentry rolls. As people who have seen me 
> do
> it will probably tell you, it doesn't seem to take much technique. Neither
> do I think it takes much more strength then the traditional method. I 
> think
> it is probably far superior in wind and waves. The major drawback could be
> seen as having a cockpit full of water, but I think even that is easier 
> than
> dealing with climbing in a bouncing kayak. And my further solution to deal
> with that problem is an electric bilge pump. It can pump out your kayak if 
> a
> fraction of the time while you are free to deal with the waves with two
> hands on your paddle. Sure there is maintenance involved and a little 
> added
> weight, but for me it has made kayaking a lot less worrisome. I know 
> people
> don't like the idea of electronics at sea, but if I can put together a
> system that has never let me down in the year I've been using it, I think
> it's time to admit it can be done.
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