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Broken Paddle Recovery 2018
Two remount stories in gorge hatchery conditions
Waterman Larry
09/16/18 #23789
Recovery: Paddle with 1/2 of Broken Paddle
Event one: August 2018
Wind 25 avg.
Location: just west of Swell City
Problem: Jantex paddle shaft broke on the female side near 5“ from the clamp at center.
Waves: Silly big.
Discussion 1: When my paddle snapped in half, I unclamped the broken piece (5”long) and put it in my jacket pocket. I then slid the two paddle halves together and attempted to continue my journey. The paddle blades now had the ability to rotate all 360 degrees relative to each other. So I began concentrating on using my hand grip to feather the paddle blades independently: FAIL. I kept spreading my hands appart allowing the two halves of my paddle to come apart. I fell in. Eventually I got to Cheap Beach (between Swell and the Hatch parking) paddling one half of the paddle like an OC paddle and sitting on the other half.
Recovery: Prone hand paddle on surfski
Event two: September 14, 2018
Wind 20 avg.
Location: Hatch Hook.
Problem: Jantex paddle shaft broke on the female side near 5“ from the clamp at center.
Waves: about 6 foot faces in the hatch.
Discussion 2: When my paddle snapped in half, I immediately fell in but didn't let go of the two paddle halves. With my past experience, I decided to change tactics. I put the paddle blades in the bucket with the shafts laying forward. I then mounted the ski lying prone with my belly directly over my bucket and the paddle blades thus locking the blades beneath me. Then I paddled (with my hands a la surf board) with the ski sideways to the swell using my hands to occasionally actuate one or the other rudder peddles to steer and reach the takeout.
Conclusion: I found that the ski handles well paddled prone compared to sitting and paddling with half a paddle. If offshore, I might choose to throw the paddle halves in the ocean and paddle the ski by hand for possible miles until reaching the beach. I make a couple of miles per hour or more. Stability in the waves was achieved by dipping and lifting my legs from the water with my knees clamping the hull to deck joint on the aft deck.
I vacuum bagged my paddle shaft with carbon and epoxy yesterday and I don't expect it to break again.
Have fun out there.
Larry Goodson
Re: Two remount stories in gorge hatchery cond
Dennis Mowry
09/16/18 #23790
Hello Larry,
Sounds like fun?
I would suggest getting some deck mounts from North Shore Inc in Hood River. They have two different types. Can be used to attach bungie cords to hold the paddle easier. Or pdf, water bottle or race number tent, etc. Hopefully not all at the same time.
Comes in handy
:Dennis
Michael Gregory
09/16/18 #23791
Wow🌊
Recovery: Swimming holding or towing surfski
Nicholas Cryder
09/16/18 #23792
When I was hit from behind by a windsurfer on a big day in the hatch I lost my paddle, and had to swim in 250 meters or so with the ski. I just hugged the ski with one arm and crawl stroked / kicked. Slow, but stable and steady progress. In that situation I would normally have used my tow line so I could swim properly and just pull the ski, but it was being used as a laundry line at Carter's place.
