RE: [Paddlewise] Paddlefloats in big water

Doug wrote:
> Are you still allowed offshore in a kayak down there anymore? :-)
And
> So, I carry the paddlefloat but find a quick, well timed device-unassisted
> re-enter and roll to be normally sufficient, even in big seas. Where one
> might want to work on an effective lumpy-water re-enter is with timing the
> inversion and roll up with the breaking wave patterns.

Scott wrote:
> We found that with a little practice the paddlefloat rescue could be
accomplished 
> in significant seas. The keyword here is "practice.


G'Day Doug and Scott,

You might remember my concern about EPIRBS and the risk of disgracefully
flouting the reg's by using a PLB instead. The local and Federal authorities
both explained that the EPIRB was de rigeur. I was about to embark on a
crusade when a good lawyer friend waded through the pages of turgid prose
and found a small clause that exempts kayakers in NSW from any of these
requirements. But the authorities don't know about this! So I can't follow
in the footsteps of Ned Kelly or Wild Bill Hickok and I remain a quiet,
sober, law abiding citizen who can paddle out to sea with a light heart and
a clear conscience - and I was looking forward to being a renegade outlaw!

Thanks to you both for the advice on paddlefloats. The message is clear and
I need to get out there and test my paddlefloat technique in bigger water,
just as I would for a standard re-entry and roll, preferably with someone
competent standing by! Doug's post suggested to me that the technique in
that kind of water might be similar to re-entry in the surf where, because I
only have an onside roll, its necessary to wait for the breaking wave to
pass before rolling up. Doug' thank you for giving an idea of the mindset
needed and the circumstances that can create the need. 

All the best, PeterO
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