I'm impressed

Posted by LeeG on Jul 4, 2007

That's perseverance, with some basic instruction or guidance you'd get it down in a couple attempts.

This is where you can see why having the inside edge of the coaming rounded over WELL is a good idea.

First time I learned pf. rescue was the way you were trying, forward of the paddle shaft, later times was aft of the shaft.

Try a few different things. Coming in from the left side hold shaft against back of the coaming with left hand, forget putting paddle under aft deck bungies. Don't put weight on the aft deck or left elbow in the cockpit. Just hold the shaft against the outside of the coaming. Your weight is in the water. The shaft will NOT move from this position until you're turned around and in your seat.

Two suggested ways of getting in, essential elements are keeping your head down and body stretched out floating on the water. You DON"T try and climb on the paddle shaft with your knee,no, no, no.

First way is a combined BIG kick in the water which helps pop your torso up a little, holding the shaft against the coaming, pulling your torso onto the aft deck. You do NOT try and climb onto the aft deck with your legs vertical in the water. Once you're up hook your left ankle on the paddle shaft and use that leverage to position yourself well. All the while the left hand is holding the shaft against the coaming with your left side/chest helping to hold it there. Not a lot of body weight is on the shaft, it's on the kayak.

The other way is easier but it requires a flexible leg without a tendency to cramp. As above, same position in the water, stretched out, head down, left hand holding shaft, bend left leg so left foot hooks over the shaft. This is where most folks get a cramp in the left hamstring. DO NOT look back at your foot. Once you do that your torso rotates to the left, butt sinks and you're no longer oriented to getting on the deck but sinking against the hull. Once your left foot is hooked over the shaft you press down with left foot, both hands and slide yourself up.

It's important on either maneuver to NOT LOOK BACKWARDS at your foot getting on the shaft. Once you do that you're guranteed to twist your torso with your butt going down.

Ok, you're now perpendicular to the kayak, laying on the aft deck with the shaft to your left and both legs STRETCHED OUT on the shaft. Most of your weight is on the kayak and your left knee is NOT hooked on the shaft. Your left hand is holding the shaft against the coaming.

The next maneuver should be done in a smooth movement but it's not at first.

Rotate your torso face down, belly down, towards the back while your legs swing into the cockpit. At some point your hand may or may not release because your body is holding it into position and your right hand is holding the shaft on the water maintaining a LITTLE weight over the float side. DO NOT GET ON YOUR KNEES. Head low, body in line with kayak, slide (yeah, right) on in until your hips clear the back band and rotate in switching hands on the shaft.

After you've got it down that way experiment other ways. But the basics are keeping your weight low, torso flat to the kayak, not getting on knees or wrapping legs around shaft.

After you have that successfully learn a re-enter and roll using the paddle float. Then a cowboy rescue (you'd really appreciate rounded corners and thigh braces).

If that's a valuable paddle you might consider learning with a cheapie/spare.

In Response to: Re: Re enter by Kim on Jul 4, 2007

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