scamlin Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 We've been hearing about cowboy rescues and ladder rescues in recent years. Similar self-rescues where the capsized paddler scrambles back into the kayak without a float or a roll. The difference is the cowboy is from the side while the ladder is from the stern. Some like them and some disparage them as "party tricks" meant for flat water only.I came across a couple of clips demonstrating they are useful in conditions. Note in both cases the key is to keep the legs in the water and the torso tight to deck--both which keep the center of gravity low. The cowboy clip shows the value of a brace during the crux of putting the feet back in the cockpit. The ladder version shows it's possible without a brace. As usual, the techniques take practice. Cowboy rescue at Golden Gate: Ladder rescue in lumpy conditions: Food for thought.Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob budd Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 I prefer the "cowboy" as I find the "ladder" removes random attachments and otherwise entangles the front of the PFD.As for "parlor tricks", those who can't often turn to criticism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brambor Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 I will practice the first demo but the second demo I would be very hesitant to leave the paddle under the boat like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyson Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 I came across a couple of clips demonstrating they are useful in conditions. IMHO, those videos depict rather mild "conditions". ...certainly a context where one could get caught off guard in some manner and end up out of their boat. That _can_ happen anywhere. So the demos are still useful, but I wouldn't really call that "conditions". Cheers! Ty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidcohen Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 I've been getting pretty good at the Cowboy on flat water. I'm inspired by these guys; they make it look easy in real conditions. I't time for me to take it up a notch as soon as the briny gets a little more toasty in the Bays of MA and ME Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEL Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 Its not obvious in the ladder video, but note how the paddler puts the release loop of the spraydeck in his mouth so it does not end up under him and cause misc. problems while sliding on deck and to be sure it is ready quickly once done. The ladder rescue is a clip from the DVD "Sea Kayak Safety" which shows common rescue techniques done in calm and lumpy water. Not a bad DVD to watch/buy.Ed Lawson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gcosloy Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 Note that the ladder rescue is performed with the boat close to right angles to the "conditions". Had the rescue taken more time there would probably be a broach and perhaps a failure since his paddle was useless for a brace at that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbjorn Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 I practice the cowboy in moderate conditions every chance I get. Key to success is speed getting from straddle to butt in. I've found that once you're on the boat with legs straddled wide for balance and your chest flat against the deck with both hands gripping the front of the cockpit coaming (and your paddle!), a single quick pull and drop maneuver will slide your butt forward and plop it right back into the cockpit. After that it's relatively easy. This only works if your back deck is clear -- no gear. It also helps to get most of the water out first before climbing on. The video illustrates that nicely. One trick I learned from a superb teacher, Rick Crangle: at the start hold your paddle with the blade in front of you and flat to the water with the shaft resting on your shoulder. Then as you push up on the bow, simultaneously pull down on the paddle. This helps counteract your sinking and gets the bow higher for more complete drainage. A couple quick lifts usually gets most of the water out of my (LV) boat. And by making the straddle-to-butt-in move very quick, you may actually be able to time it to occur between waves. Having a reliable cowboy gives a lot of peace of mind when paddling solo. Blaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbjorn Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 In the spirit of full disclosure, I should add that size may matter here. My 5'8", 145 lbs. may give me some advantage over the 6'2, 220 lbs. ex-linebackers among us, at least in this one instance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyson Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 In the spirit of full disclosure, I should add that size may matter here. My 5'8", 145 lbs. may give me some advantage over the 6'2, 220 lbs. ex-linebackers among us, at least in this one instance.Emilie seems to just climb up the side of her Greenland with no effort to balance it, as if it were on dry ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rylevine Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 In the spirit of full disclosure, I should add that size may matter here. My 5'8", 145 lbs. may give me some advantage over the 6'2, 220 lbs. ex-linebackers among us Yeah, no kidding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEL Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 As for "parlor tricks", those who can't often turn to criticism. 6.1 Self Rescue "With the exception of a "bombproof" roll, most of these fall into the party tricks category, sometimes useful to convince yourself that you will be all right no matter what happens." Sea Kayak Gordon Brown, Pg 64. I suspect his comments are not based on his inability. I also suspect he did not intend to say such techniques are useless. Ed Lawson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brambor Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 sadly nodding in agreement In the spirit of full disclosure, I should add that size may matter here. My 5'8", 145 lbs. may give me some advantage over the 6'2, 220 lbs. ex-linebackers among us Yeah, no kidding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob budd Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I just watched the ladder rescue and it reminded me of my first unstaged roll. We were riding surge through gaps off of Manchester and I got hung up part way as the water receded. Rather than slide down the side I took one hand and kept the boat and I up on the rocks and waited for the next wave. When it came I slid down, capsizing, and rolled up. As I popped up I swelled with pride. I looked to one of the instructors, Rick Crangle, and he said "you took your hand off your paddle". If you practice the ladder rescue I would strongly suggest you heed Rick's advice, i.e. I would never leave my paddle in the water as is shown. I always make sure the rigging on the bow allows me to slide my GP under wraps easily. I'm sure one could install something suitable for spoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GJ Carey Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 Hi Guys,The only reason that the guy in the ladder recovery demo drops his paddle is because it's attached to his boat via a paddle leash. A lot of very accomplished paddlers who paddle in tide races (and he's in one) use one routinely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob budd Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 The old paddle leash trick, that explains why the paddle stood its ground. I realize this was a demo, and the particulars of said demo can be ignored. Leash or not I would prefer to park the paddle on the bow rather than leave it to the whim of the waves. Having a parking mechanism and process comes in handy should a rescue victim hands you their paddle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GJ Carey Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Agreed. It's an awesome feeling to have put someone back in their boat, feeling all proud and effective and then get that sinking feeling when it comes to giving them back their paddle..............paddle? paddle?......what paddle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob budd Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 After watching this and other cowboy re-entries I would suggest you launch/land across the cockpit instead of the back deck. You can swing a leg across and drop into the cockpit without actually sitting up and thus remain lower in the boat. You also get in the cockpit/boat faster this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwolson Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 "After watching this and other cowboy re-entries I would suggest you launch/land across the cockpit instead of the back deck. You can swing a leg across and drop into the cockpit without actually sitting up and thus remain lower in the boat. You also get in the cockpit/boat faster this way."Great idea becuase I failed my re-entries last year. I'just a bit too wide to drop into my cockpit. I'm loosing some weight now so jus tmaybe I can slide within a lot of difficulty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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