Sea Kayaking Articles from P&H Staff, Team Paddlers, and Friends

Tag: Dimitri Vandepoele

Cleopatras Needle Flooded Sea Kayak Rescue

This time we are showing you how we fix a worst-case scenario, as in “my kayak is sinking”! We are 4 kilometers offshore and we pulled of one of our hatches, leaving the front compartment exposed to the sea water. With a little leaning our kayak is flooding. It’s scary when doing this training exercise for the first time. We trained on this a lot in the safety of the harbor, and we advise you to get started in a safe environment when doing this training for the first time. You will be surprised how easy this rescue is. Of course, the harder the conditions, the harder it will get. But most important, we know that it is still possible to rescue ourselves when the worst thing happens. Follow up the top tips that we are giving in the video and you will do just fine. Make sure to carry a grab bag at all times, and make sure that you have duct tape with you. Trust us, this can happen (we have seen this happen only once, but still…) in real life.

The Deck Lines – Upgrading the Rescue Handles

Let us talk you through a small upgrade on the deck (or perimeter) lines of your sea kayak. In the video you will see Sylvie putting some flexible tube (from the DIY store) over the deck line near the cockpit. The benefit of this is very simple and convenient. It allows you to put good tension on the deck lines as it should be, and still be able to put your fingers (even when wearing gloves) underneath it at the right place. This is where the rescuer will grab, and stabilize, your boat when performing an assisted rescue during your re-entry. Also, another kayaker can grab them to stabilize you in rough water when you want to pick something out of your day hatch. It’s also easier for you to operate your short tow line with the carabiner hooks. It’s nothing revolutionary but it comes in very handy!! Feel free to share your own “sea kayak upgrades”, we’re always on the lookout for new ideas! Paddle safe and take care of each other on the water!

The Locks

We must be a bit resourceful over here. It is not because we don’t have tidal races over here along the Belgian coast that we cannot train on breaking in and out of one.  Somewhere in the back of Nieuwpoort harbor there is a complex with different locks called the Ganzepoot (goose foot, because it looks like one when seen from the air).  In the periods with heavy rain there is too much water in the five adjacent canals and in the river Yser.  The locks are then opened a few hours before low tide, until a few hours after.  The amount of water that comes like an unstoppable force trough the locks is phenomenal.  It also makes a perfect practicing area for us, sea kayakers.  The different canals and locks have their own characteristics.  We always start our training on the slower flowing water, and then build up until we go on the Yser lock.  The Yser lock releases the most amount of water, at the highest speed.  We train on breaking in, and back out, of fast moving water.  You need a good angle of approach, some speed and a good lean-brace position.

Training Day 2017

Our Training Day has been a success. It is the third edition so far, with the same ingredients as before.  The goal is to get sea kayakers, whatever their skills, level, age or gender, together for safety training.  Again, we’ve seen both experienced paddlers train with the less experienced and this works very well.  For the newcomers it’s ideal because they can learn things the right way from the start.  For the more experienced paddlers among us it’s also a good way to correct the little mistakes, or refine their skills.  We chose the canal at the Westhoek Marina because it allows us to train a larger group, while everybody stays in the immediate vicinity.  Perfect to keep an eye out for everyone, give feed-back or for the participants to ask questions.  In the morning we highlighted the theoretical side, we explained some important safety rules, talked about equipment and the good use of it.  We explained, with the help of some videos, how people can rescue themselves after a capsize, how they can rescue another paddler after a capsize.  During the afternoon we’ve convert all those things into practice.  We’ve got the permission to launch some distress flares and pyrotechnics.  Lessons are learned, never trust on one or two flares if your life depends on it.  Better to have some more on board.  Many thanks to the Waterway Police for their presence during the demo.  Thanks to the people of the Westhoek Marina for the venue!  This day would not have been possible without the help of those working behind the scenes, so a big thanks to those!   Again, it was a true pleasure working with such motivated and responsive people.

 

The Trip – Cap Griz Nez, Northern France

It’s been a while since we’ve been out for a paddle along the Northern French coastline. We chose to meet with other team paddlers at the pebble beach near Audresselles early in the morning. We planned our trip around Cap Griz Nez so that we had two times the tidal stream in our favour. Ideal to paddle as close as possible to the rocky beaches with the least effort. There wasn’t much wind but the swell was good and provided small waves for us to play on. We are used to paddle along Belgium’s sandy coasts, so this was a welcome change. Although you may not see it in the video, the British coastline was clearly visible that day, both on the water as from an elevated position. We’re not sure, but I think the Dover cliffs were calling us….  Enjoy the video, and when in the neighbourhood with a kayak on the roof of the car, make sure to stop for a paddle along this beautiful coast.

 

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