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

That's good advice. While the traditional paddlefloat rescue can and does 
work, even well depending on circumstances and context, it is axiomatic to 
most seasoned paddlers that at a certain point - especially the point where 
a seasoned paddler dumps - the only worthy _aided_ self rescue is a 
paddlefloat reentry and roll.

I still carry a paddlfloat just in case my unaided reenter and roll fails.

The other issue with traditional paddlefloat rescues is that as sea state or 
conspiring conditions increase, paddle shafts start to break and precious 
energy reserves can be squandered f'rting around with failed paddlefloat 
initiations. Once you get into a real CF - if you know what I mean - then 
time is critical - especially in cold water and/or rock gardens, etc.

Perhaps one of the issues we have to deal with in the paddling community is 
the notion that it should be a super-sano dry sport. Experts like Derek 
Hutchinson perhaps do a dis-service by admonishing paddlers to stay dry and 
eschew full-on protective apparel. I like to get wet, get practiced, then 
adopt a "failure is not an option" attitude. If I do come out, do hurt 
myself or exhaust myself somehow, the paddlefloat reenter and roll is a 
glorious backup to my normal well-executed reenter and roll.

Despite the utility of a well-executed reenter and roll ability in gnarly 
water and tide races - especially for those seeking such venues - we have in 
thaepast seen incredible ignorance from the likes of instructors like Linda 
Leg pooh-poohing the BCU star assessments in the UK where they actually 
practice and are at ease with the pure reenter and roll methods, just as we 
have also seen other notable writer/paddlers bashing rolling. Fine, stay out 
of my face and I'll stay out of yours. In the end, your milage varies 
anyway - though Rafael certainly has benefited from the R&R with float - and 
will get to paddle some more miles.

I suppose different paddlers have different issues with differing gear. 
Greenland stick users may not be as inclined toward inflatable floats, for 
example. My only real objective observation in all this - and one shared by 
Matt and Cam over the years if I remember, is now that you are back in your 
boat, can you effectively extract cockpit water volume sufficiently and 
re-do your skirt? Whatever way you get back in, make sure you can complete 
the task fully in the conditions you have found yourself in.

I also carry other adjunctive safety gear and of course, my radio. In the 
end, it isn't about the backups - important as they might be depending on 
your POV, but rather your ability to self-direct preventatively and then to 
effectively strategize once there's incipient foreshadowing or a problem is 
beginning to be encountered in real time; you then have to be able to deal 
with any unintended consequences. Barring genuine accidents, my mind is made 
up that there's a whole bunch of ill-prepared paddlers out there, given the 
number of incidents I've reviewed or heard about with similar sub--text to 
the incident. But hey, float, gloat, or make a note. But please, as the guy 
in the movie City Slickers once said, there's just _one_ thing you gotta 
figure out. If your a paddler, you gotta go figure that one thing out. 
That's the message.

Doug Lloyd

> Paddlefloat rescue or paddlefloat reentry and roll.
>
> Kayakers,
>
> In past years I have found myself in the critical places where waves break
> and keep you in what I call the black hole. Boat, paddle and paddler
> converge in that same place where incoming waves encounter out coming 
> back
> flow. In both occasions I had to find a way to reenter my kayak and to get
> out of there, fighting breaking waves and rising and lowering swell.
>
> For some reason I always ended with my body on the down wave side, but
> placed my legs inside the cockpit, prepared my paddlefloat on the right
> paddle end, reentered and rolled. On the worst day, waves would come and 
> hit
> me hard and the cockpit was full of water. I capsized three times until I
> learned how to support myself on the paddle float side, bracing to the 
> wave
> as it hit, and paddling towards shore in the in between. My paddlefloat 
> has
> bag only on the reverse side, so I can use a little bit of the power side 
> to
> move forward.
>
> The second time I had a double bag paddlefloat and once I did reenter and
> roll, I could not move away from the black hole, since my paddlefloat did
> not allow for any forward motion. Since then I only carry a one side
> paddlefloat.
>
> Last year crossing the Sea of Cortes with 4 foot waves and good wind, I
> capsized due to weakness and certain kind of dizziness, but once in the 
> cold
> water I woke up and did a paddlefloat reentry and roll. I used the
> paddlefloat for support while pumping out. When almost finished my friends
> came close and gave me energy bars and chocolate an Gatorade and I did
> recover to continue with the trip.
>
> So, my conclusion is that in the real conditions, the best way to get back
> in the kayak is paddlefloat reentry and roll. Under the conditions I was 
> in,
> I would not even think of trying the traditional paddle float rescue. That
> would have drained my remaining energy, with possibly several capsizes.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Rafael Mier
> Mexico
> 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/
***************************************************************************