Re: [Paddlewise] Ferry Crew Rescues Seattle Kayaker - Update - Sponsons?

From: Nick Schade <nick_at_guillemot-kayaks.com>
Date: Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:54:04 -0400
On Apr 12, 2009, at 7:10 PM, Scott Hilliard wrote:

>  I've taught the paddlefloat rescue for more then twenty years. I  
> have always stressed that the rescue should be done on the downwind  
> side of the boat...

In the 20 years of teaching paddle float rescues how many classes were  
held in 30+ knot winds?

It makes good sense to set up on the downwind side of the boat, but it  
seems to me that no matter where you start, you will likely end up  
being on the upwind side of the boat unless you nail it quickly. The  
wind is apt to blow you and the boat so the sea anchor (you) is upwind  
of the sail (the boat).

And if you are unlucky enough to end up in the water upwind of the  
boat, how do you train people to get to the downwind side? Do you  
suggest that they go under the boat (hard with a lifejacket on) or go  
around the end? Going around the end will probably end up with the  
boat turned around but still on the upwind side - again the sail down  
wind of the sea anchor.

Getting the boat around you in a wind is no simple matter. It is easy  
to pick on someone after the fact, but it seems justified to try  
reentering your boat in whatever orientation you end up in relative to  
the wind instead of spending more time wrestling the boat around while  
holding on to it and your paddling in high winds, for what may prove a  
very temporary advantage.



Nick Schade

Guillemot Kayaks
54 South Rd
Groton, CT 06340
USA
Ph/Fx: (860) 659-8847
http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/
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Received on Sun Apr 12 2009 - 17:54:12 PDT

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