Comments for "Another Chance at Life" at http://www.surfski.info , comment 0 to 7 out of 7 comments http://www.surfski.info Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:23:07 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/330/154/#pc_496 Parksy has it spot on. Some experienced campaigners got into \"some\" difficulty at that Strand race too. Speed alone over a set course should not determine whether or not you are exempt from carrying certain items of safety equipment. It is good to see the Elite guys wearing their PFD\'s lately though. It sets an example. Also, as a surfski novice I used to swim regularly in probably an inapropriate boat at the time(Fenn Millenium) but it taught me HOW to get back into the saddle, fast and in testing conditions. I urge any ocean paddler to learn to remount the ski from both sides and in wind. This is your primary and most valuable item of safety in the sea. Practice this. It only takes one day of trying and experimenting to learn the best way. Go well.. - Graeme Mon, 11 Dec 2006 11:28:18 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/330/154/#pc_495 THIS INCIDENT BRINGS UP 2 ARGUEMENTS. FIRSTLY ARE WE NOT ENCOURAGING PADDLERS TO BELIEVE THE OMNIPOTENT WHEN THEY CARRY ALL THIS SAFETY EQUIPMENT.PADDLERS MUST REALISE THE THE SEA GIVES AND IT TAKES.WE MUST ALL RESPECT THE SEA AND REALIZE OUR OWN CAPABILITIES.WE MUST STOP BEHAVING LIKE TERESTONE DRIVEN HE MEN. SECONDLY I HAVE ALWAYS QUESTIONED THE GRADING SYSTEM TAKE THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLE WE GET A SPEEDSTER FROM GAUTENG ARRIVING AT ADDINGTON BEACH ON A FLAT DAY RESULT A GRADE.TAKE THE SAME PADDLER IN A BIG SOUTH WESTER RESULT DISASTER.WE SHOULD FOLLOW IN THE STEPS OF CANOEING WHERE YOU ARE GRADED ACCORDING TO EXPERIENCE.EACH RACE SHOULD BE GIVEN A GRADING ON THE DAY AND PADDLERS GRADED ACCORDINGLY. - PARKSY Mon, 11 Dec 2006 09:28:04 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/330/154/#pc_494 What an absolutely amazing story of courage, determination and BALLS! Casper, I take my hat off to you dude. I thought I had been stressed out paddling in big seas! To all involved, esp the rescue crews, you are special people! Reading about Caspers experience here in chilly London, I had my heart racing and my mouth dry. I will seriously update my \'safety\' equipment when next I get the chance to hit the sea. Casper, I hope you bounce back even stronger! To all involved in the race, I hope everyone makes a small contribution of some kind to the rescue teams. - Maloy Sun, 10 Dec 2006 18:53:18 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/330/154/#pc_492 The average sea temperature in False Bay on Sunday 3rd December was 17.5C. The air temperature was less than that with wind chill factored in. This doesn\'t mean that you should stay in the water of course because your clothing warms up when you\'re out of the water (as long as you are wearing some sort of wind breaker). The average water temperature last week at Sea Point (Atlantic side) was 11.2C. - robin.mousley Sat, 09 Dec 2006 11:32:38 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/330/154/#pc_490 Check out: http://www.surfski.info/content/view/89/97/ The article covers both methods in detail. I definitely find bum-first (or sidesaddle) easier on the Mako 6 than straddle which is what you\'re referring to. I came off during the race and had no problem remounting even in the hectic conditions. I watched a buddy fall off three times trying to get on straddle-method. - robin.mousley Fri, 08 Dec 2006 09:05:46 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/330/154/#pc_489 You refer to getting back using the bum first method. How does this work? I normally lie ontop and sit up. - apaddler Fri, 08 Dec 2006 08:49:31 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/330/154/#pc_488 Rob, thanks for the story. It is just a reminder for us here in New England,(east coast) USA, where the winter water temp is 34-50 degrees to dress for capsize even at the risk of some over heating. Wesley Echols - wesley Fri, 08 Dec 2006 02:06:24 +0100