John Fereira ) writes:

I went out on our local lake last year with a couple of friends on a day
when there were some strong winds coming down the 40 mile long lake from the
north. There were frequent 2-3' breaking waves. All three of us are
experienced in and have practiced several different reentry techniques. We
paddled about a mile out and decided to practice some re-entries. First we
tried the "cowboy" rescue as described above. Even though my Outer Island
is narrow (21"), has a very low rear deck, and a cockpit large enough to sit
in before putting in my legs, I was unable to sucessfully get back in using
a cowboy rescue after four attempts.

was the problem, the narrow beam and cockpit? you have to push up right
quick because the hull is least stable when you're sitting upright.
perhaps its not a good technique for some people on those very narrow
boats. I don't think I'd need to use a paddle brace but that's personal.

After the fourth time capsizing before
*almost* getting back into the cockpit, I grabbed my paddle float and was
back in the cockpit in less than 30 seconds. Only one of the three of us
managed to reenter his kayak and stay upright using a cowboy rescue that
day. On flatter water all of us have sucessfully used a cowboy rescue to
reenter many, many times. Usually, however, if we have capsized we just
roll up or use and assisted eskimo rescue off a paddling partners bow.
That's the way the easter Canadians, Greenlanders, Aluets, and Innuit have
been doing it for generations.

I guess you've never had any alligator wresting experience, there, sonny.
I don't see you listed with the WRWF (World Reptile Wrestling Federation).
"Cowboy"? What "cowboy"" What do dry dirty dusty cowboys know about
getting back into boats they've fallen out of? Ever done any log rolling?

I've never paddled around Iceland, and God only knows why anybody would
want to. I'll bet even teh native don't do it any more, unless maybe
offered large sums of money by tourists. Climbing in over the rear deck
worked for me. It wasn't even a challenge. Maybe its all the swimming and
water polo and getting in and out of the pool. I can understand why you'd
want to go in a group of like-minded people (???) where you paddle but I'm
strictly a solo paddler on the lakes and rivers of Ontario where waves and
cold water are not unkown. In one of my less rational moments I did go out
in a parka in December to see what it was like. I rely on myself to
re-enter any boat I might fall out of. I don't know what experinece you've
had with sponsons but I've found them usefull on two narrow boats, both of
which had a 24" beam.

Sponsons are used to avoid re-entry.

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