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| - | ==== Sea Kayak Vs Surfski ==== | + | <<stories:phatboats_2010|Previous Story^stories:bellingham_stories|Story List ^ stories:epic_oahu_2010|Next Story>> |
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| + | ===== Sea Kayak Vs Surfski ===== | ||
| **happypaddle <happypaddle@…>** \\ | **happypaddle <happypaddle@…>** \\ | ||
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| **Larry Goolsby** \\ | **Larry Goolsby** \\ | ||
| - | 11/16/10 #9642 | + | 11/16/10 #9642 |
| I have difficulty understanding when someone that is not a seasoned surfski paddler could say that kayaks are safer in rough conditions. I started as a kayaker and still paddle one on summer trips. I would not take a sea kayak out in epic conditions. Not all sea kayaks roll the same and some hardly roll at all. If you do a wet exit from your kayak, good luck getting back in in rough conditions. There has been only one death (that we know of) of a surfski paddler. The anniversary of his death is this month. Working in emergency rooms over the last 22 years (and watching the news) has shown me that the number of kayak deaths severely outweighs surfski deaths. I don't see kayaks out playing in the waves when the wind is blowing and the waves are big. Comparing kayaks and surfskis is like comparing apples and oranges; they are two differnt watercraft that are used for two different types of paddling. The rudder systems are also designed for two different purposes; the surfski rudder is designed to stay on a wave. So please, if you have proof that kayaks are safer than surfskis, then share that info with us. Otherwise, please don't make blanket statements that 'lives could be saved'. There are enough kayak deaths, we don't need more. | I have difficulty understanding when someone that is not a seasoned surfski paddler could say that kayaks are safer in rough conditions. I started as a kayaker and still paddle one on summer trips. I would not take a sea kayak out in epic conditions. Not all sea kayaks roll the same and some hardly roll at all. If you do a wet exit from your kayak, good luck getting back in in rough conditions. There has been only one death (that we know of) of a surfski paddler. The anniversary of his death is this month. Working in emergency rooms over the last 22 years (and watching the news) has shown me that the number of kayak deaths severely outweighs surfski deaths. I don't see kayaks out playing in the waves when the wind is blowing and the waves are big. Comparing kayaks and surfskis is like comparing apples and oranges; they are two differnt watercraft that are used for two different types of paddling. The rudder systems are also designed for two different purposes; the surfski rudder is designed to stay on a wave. So please, if you have proof that kayaks are safer than surfskis, then share that info with us. Otherwise, please don't make blanket statements that 'lives could be saved'. There are enough kayak deaths, we don't need more. | ||
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| **Dale McKinnon** \\ | **Dale McKinnon** \\ | ||
| - | 11/16/10 #9643 | + | 11/16/10 #9643 |
| Not sure if folks remember, but two Deception Pass Dashes ago, I witnessed and photographed two kayak rescues, one by a Rescue Kayaker (RKer), the other by the Sheriff's Department boat. The conditions were close to epic and the seas continued to build. Several surfskiers dumped, but they got back on their boats and continued paddling (either quitting the race or continuing on). In the case of the kayaker rescued by the RKer, he managed to pump out his kayak as the RKer hung onto the bow end by draping his body over the hull and wrapping his arms completely around the craft to stabilize it, while its occupant madly pumped. | Not sure if folks remember, but two Deception Pass Dashes ago, I witnessed and photographed two kayak rescues, one by a Rescue Kayaker (RKer), the other by the Sheriff's Department boat. The conditions were close to epic and the seas continued to build. Several surfskiers dumped, but they got back on their boats and continued paddling (either quitting the race or continuing on). In the case of the kayaker rescued by the RKer, he managed to pump out his kayak as the RKer hung onto the bow end by draping his body over the hull and wrapping his arms completely around the craft to stabilize it, while its occupant madly pumped. | ||
| Line 113: | Line 115: | ||
| **Erik Borgnes** \\ | **Erik Borgnes** \\ | ||
| - | 11/16/10 #9644 | + | 11/16/10 #9644 |
| There are a few generalizations that one can make with regards to small boat safety: | There are a few generalizations that one can make with regards to small boat safety: | ||
| Line 123: | Line 125: | ||
| - Experienced, well prepared paddlers are generally safer than less experienced paddlers, independent of the type of craft. | - Experienced, well prepared paddlers are generally safer than less experienced paddlers, independent of the type of craft. | ||
| - | SUP's are safest. They require minimal skill, steps, equipment to get your core out of the water. This is true on flatwater and on rough water. | + | SUP's are safest. They require minimal skill, steps, equipment to get your core out of the water. This is true on flatwater and on rough water. |
| OC1's are next as the outrigger platform makes it relatively easy to get out of the water and one can lean on the iako afterwards for stability. | OC1's are next as the outrigger platform makes it relatively easy to get out of the water and one can lean on the iako afterwards for stability. | ||
| - | Sit-on-top top skis / kayaks are next as they take one step and no equipment to get back into the seat where the paddler is sitting in minimal water. One can also then hang their feet over the sides for extra stability afterwards. | + | Sit-on-top top skis / kayaks are next as they take one step and no equipment to get back into the seat where the paddler is sitting in minimal water. One can also then hang their feet over the sides for extra stability afterwards. |
| - | Sit-in kayaks less safe because they require safety equipment and additional steps to recover from a capsize and get out of the water and get the cockpit relatively dry (paddle float, pump, sprayskirt). They are also less stable in the intermediate step when you are back in the seat and the cockpit is half-full of water. | + | Sit-in kayaks less safe because they require safety equipment and additional steps to recover from a capsize and get out of the water and get the cockpit relatively dry (paddle float, pump, sprayskirt). They are also less stable in the intermediate step when you are back in the seat and the cockpit is half-full of water. |
| - | Open canoes would be least safe because they are most difficult to get back into from the water, fill with too much water, and would be least stable when partially filled with water. They also have the largest opening through which additional water from waves can keep filling the craft. | + | Open canoes would be least safe because they are most difficult to get back into from the water, fill with too much water, and would be least stable when partially filled with water. They also have the largest opening through which additional water from waves can keep filling the craft. |
| - | If one were to assume a paddler had a "bombproof" roll, then one could likewise assume a "bombproof" recovery from any craft and therefore noone would ever drown - we know this is far from reality though. The same goes for the assumption that the paddler would be wearing a drysuit with thick thermals on. | + | If one were to assume a paddler had a "bombproof" roll, then one could likewise assume a "bombproof" recovery from any craft and therefore noone would ever drown - we know this is far from reality though. The same goes for the assumption that the paddler would be wearing a drysuit with thick thermals on. |
| - | I remember the KISS principle as do many (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Complexity is a liability on the water. | + | I remember the KISS principle as do many (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Complexity is a liability on the water. |
| Erik | Erik | ||
| Line 141: | Line 143: | ||
| **lori & beau whitehead** | **lori & beau whitehead** | ||
| - | 11/16/10 #9645 | + | 11/16/10 #9645 |
| - | Great discussion... I knew when I read Happypaddle's post things would get entertaining. | + | Great discussion… I knew when I read Happypaddle's post things would get entertaining. |
| - | A couple more quick points on SUP's to add to Eric's list ... 1) you can knee paddle if things/conditions get dicey. 2) you can still hand paddle very efficiently if you lose or break your paddle. 3) you can break your SUP into 6 pieces and each piece, by itself, makes a better floatation device than a kayak filled with water. 4) You get more chicks standing up. (ok, I made that one up). | + | A couple more quick points on SUP's to add to Eric's list … 1) you can knee paddle if things/conditions get dicey. 2) you can still hand paddle very efficiently if you lose or break your paddle. 3) you can break your SUP into 6 pieces and each piece, by itself, makes a better floatation device than a kayak filled with water. 4) You get more chicks standing up. (ok, I made that one up). |
| Happy paddling, | Happy paddling, | ||
| Line 152: | Line 154: | ||
| **p peacock** \\ | **p peacock** \\ | ||
| - | 11/16/10 #9648 | + | 11/16/10 #9648 |
| - | I don't like blanket statements (generalizations) either, but here's another one; No kayak or surfski is safe if the paddler is a yahoo and isn't prepared for their prospective paddling environment. I have been in epic conditions in my kayak, have rolled and re-entered from a wet exit. For me and me only, a kayak is safer. For someone very experienced in a surfski, a surfski is safer. Larry's right, not all sea kayaks roll the same. You would never catch me in epic conditions in an unfamiliar boat. I'm pretty sure that all surfskis aren't alike either and the epic condition paddler would probably prefer his own boat. And by the way, there are sea kayakers out there that go out playing in big waves and wind and also, gasp, gnarly rock gardens. Larry's is again right,... apples and oranges. The main point is know to know your skills, know your boat, and know how to assess risk. | + | I don't like blanket statements (generalizations) either, but here's another one; No kayak or surfski is safe if the paddler is a yahoo and isn't prepared for their prospective paddling environment. I have been in epic conditions in my kayak, have rolled and re-entered from a wet exit. For me and me only, a kayak is safer. For someone very experienced in a surfski, a surfski is safer. Larry's right, not all sea kayaks roll the same. You would never catch me in epic conditions in an unfamiliar boat. I'm pretty sure that all surfskis aren't alike either and the epic condition paddler would probably prefer his own boat. And by the way, there are sea kayakers out there that go out playing in big waves and wind and also, gasp, gnarly rock gardens. Larry's is again right,… apples and oranges. The main point is know to know your skills, know your boat, and know how to assess risk. |
| Dan | Dan | ||
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