Date: Wed, 06 Oct 1999 10:02:30 +0200
From: Stefano Moretti <stmoretti@tin.it>
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
Subject: Re: baidarka stirrups
Message-Id: <19991006121042.MBUM435.fep09-svc@stefano>
Thanks James,
I'll read it over again to best figure what you're describing.
Tubular web here is not easily found. Mostly in rock-climbers stores,
and not in many colors either. I still have to see any around, and live
in the capital (well, not many Alps around here).
However we have a similar approach: one big loop of rope (say 1.5 ft in
diameter.
Put the paddle crosswise to the back of the cockpit held by appropriate
straps, make a loop on the loop so it can be put across the paddle
shaft and tightned ( we call this knot "bocca di lupo", or wolf's
mouth...)
then the soaked paddler puts a foot in it (hanging part in the water)
and uses it to climb back on your or his deck. Actually the paddle is
not available for bracing unless you use his/hers or have a spare on
board.
Stefano
James Mitchell wrote:
> Oh, Stefano! Of course!!! A little trick I picked up first from our
> friends at Northwest Outdoor Center (the place almost EVERYone in the
> Puget
> Sound region starts kayak) and again at the Thetis Island symposium...
>
> Very simple. Take a 10' length of 3/4" tubular web (easy to get at
> any
> camping or outdoor store, or from REI.com), and sew the last three or
> four
> inches together in a big loop. I overlap it because I have to hand
> stitch
> everything, and that makes it stronger. Then roll it up and stick it
> where
> you can reach it easily while you are still seated in your cockpit
> (you may
> well be loaning this to a wet friend in need). Easy to use, after the
>
> capsized boat is upright, loop this around the cockpit rim. Victim
> places
> foot in the loop, and steps up onto the rear deck while you brace the
> boat
> from the other side. Best to have your boat facing opposite the
> capsized
> boat, so you can see what is happening and be ready for it. Rentry is
>
> normal from there, victim lays face down pointing aft, inserts feet,
> and
> then rolls over (hopefully facing away from you, so their behind winds
> up
> toward you as they roll... makes bracing a bit easier) and slides into
> the
> seat. You can even leave the stirrup right there, it really isn't
> much of a
> problem for now. Ignore it, or pull it off over their head. Continue
>
> holding their cockpit rim until they get pumped out if you can, that
> improves their chances.
>
> Oh, if the loop is too long, you can always throw a quick knot in it
> to
> tighten it up. This is also a great technique when doing self rescue,
>
> particularly when tired and cold.
>
> Now the important part... color. Gotta get the right color web!
> Let's see,
> do we want to match the deck, or contrast???
>
> Puget Sounders who might be listening... pool session 8:30 this Sunday
> at
> Forest Park pool in Everett.