Monday, March 16, 2009
Kayak Rescue Training in Deception Pass
Last week a bunch of us got together for a day of practicing different rescue techniques in the flooding current of Deception Pass. The group consisted of Pat Peacock and Dan Moos, The Body Boat Blade team (Shawna, Leon, Djuna, and Matt), award winning filmmaker from Reel Water Productions Bryan Smith (Pacific Horizons, EasternHorizons), and me (from AKT).
The plan was to wait until the current approached its maximum velocity-a respectable 6.6 knots- and then use that turbulent water to test the different methods of self- and assisted-rescues that are commonly seen in kayaking magazines, in books about sea kayaking, in kayak films, and in many kayaking classes.
It was a very illuminating day for me as I watched some of the most talented paddlers that I know struggle with many rescues that are taught as "entry level" techniques. The paddle-float rescue in particular was laughable in anything but calm conditions. If you think that you are safe after trying this rescue technique a couple of times in a warm lake, then think again. In dynamic conditions (read: rough water, or any condition that would actually cause you to capsize) the paddle-float rescue is pretty crappy. The really ironic part is that many kayakers out there feel "prepared" after learning how to scramble back into their kayak this way.
Over all the day was a success in many ways. We all learned a lot about what works, and what does not work, in moderate current velocities. Next we'll try to do these same rescues in windy and rough conditions to see what the results might be.
Over all the day was a success in many ways. We all learned a lot about what works, and what does not work, in moderate current velocities. Next we'll try to do these same rescues in windy and rough conditions to see what the results might be.
# posted by Anacortes Kayaks @ 8:07 AM 
