Well done on the video :). Good thing you mentioned the winter boredom, I'd hate to think that you were animating the robots when you could have been out practicing your eskimo roll!

A heated discussion on rolling vs. paddle float rescues you say? Not much to discuss in my books - offhand, I can't think of a situation where a float rescue would be safer than a roll, but maybe I'm missing something. Exactly when would swimming with a cockpit full of water be better than simply rolling upright in a couple seconds with no water in the cockpit?

Float rescues, and all other re-entry rescues, work better in calm water than they do under conditions that produced a capsize in the first place. Rough water doesn't just interfere with the process of re-entry, it also makes it more difficult to get the water out of the cockpit, and water in the cockpit can decrease boat stability, increasing the likelihood of re-capsize before the cockpit can be cleared. Staying in the boat and keeping water out of the cockpit is safer, lots safer under some conditions.

The additional issue up here is that few kayakers always wear enough thermal gear to last long in the ocean temperatures that are normal here even in the summer. A couple of botched float rescue attempts could be all that a paddler gets before hypothermia and consequent panic take over.

Yes, a float rescue can save the day, and I think that even paddlers who can normally execute a roll should make sure that they have the option. However, I'll take some convincing to believe that any re-entry rescue is preferable to or safer than a roll.

My two bits worth :)

Best regards,

Allan Edie

: A few years back there were heated discussions about rolling verses
: paddle float rescues on pnet and the q site. Being the smart
: arse I am I came up with a video from a compilation of posts.

: Remember, I was bored at the time I did this and it was winter

: http://youtu.be/9kkqAP8eJ_c