On 21-Jun-2006, !Jones wrote:

then refrain from giving out unsolicited lectures.

Longtime readers of this newsgroup know that there are frequent
questions from beginners of the sort "This happened, what should I do
next" and the correct answer is not "Do this next" but "Don't let that
happen". In other words, it's a _lot_ easier to avoid a problem than
to fix it.

Since avoiding problems and reducing risk are preferred to solving
a problem, we tend to address that - especially for a beginner. Your
question sounded one from a beginner, Steve's response was appropriate
for _this_ newsgroup.

As to using a drogue or sea anchor - the problem with waves is that the
tendancy to broach is strong and a sea anchor only works if there is
significant velocity. Given that the drogue may not work effectively and
you have to deal with lines in the water while swimming, I'd say avoid it.

Your body will work as a drogue without risk due to entanglement in lines.
If, as someone suggested, you hang onto the bow and float vertically in
the water, then that should straighten the kayak if a drogue would. However,
as a recent incident showed. you might not be able to hold onto the kayak
if the waves are strong enough.

Since you can't do this and tend to your paddling partner at the same time,
it is essential that you either find a partner that can self rescue or avoid
these conditions.

Two things:
1 - doubles are not as safe as myth says.
2 - gear is not the solution to a kayaking problem.

Mike