Discussing towing in the Dumpling |
We met at 9:00 at Fort Wetherill. Seas were calm and wind was from the west as we launched. We paddled out around Bull Point to practice towing in the easy tidal current around the Dumplings. I got to try out my new tow rope with short rope and long rope tows. On my tow rope there are two carabiners to unclip - one for short tows and a second for long tows.
Demonstrating the scoop rescue |
The longer tow line woks better when you are towing for a long distance – especially in swells when you don’t get run over by the towed boat as it comes down the face of the swell. I did tandem tows with the long line in a “V” and in-line configuration. On long tows, the knot and clip in the middle of the line created drag and a one point snagged a clump of sea grass that made it tough to paddle. Probably best if I took the middle clip off before towing – maybe even the knot.
Two out of the boat rescue |
As we rounded one headland we saw Kelly out of her boat holding her arm like she had a dislocated shoulder. Cam was able to get her back in her boat using a scoop rescue. The scoop rescue is used to get a tired, injured or unconscious paddler back in their boat. Conditions were choppier with winds from the south after lunch. We worked our way back along the shore practicing scoop rescues, swim-outs from rocks, two-out-of-the-boat self-rescues, and hand of god rescues.
Links: