Technique READY, SET, TOW
RACE TO THE RESCUE WITH THE NO-ROPE CONTACT TOW
A fresh gust hits as they turn back from the headland. It catches Bob’s paddle and in- stantly capsizes him. He wet exits and An- drew paddles up to stabilize his boat. Tey drift quickly toward the rocks, so Andrew decides not to take the time to dump out the water before re-entry. Back in his kayak, Bob takes a few strokes
away from the rocks and capsizes again, his boat made less stable by the water in the cockpit. Andrew again stabilizes and Bob re- enters. Tey both know that letting go again will lead to another capsize and the rocks are within a boat length. What they need is something to provide stability and propul- sion at the same time. Enter the contact tow. With no lines and just one other person, the contact tow is ideal for stabilizing and
moving an unstable, injured or seasick pad- dler a short distance to safety. In the above scenario, Bob holds onto
Andrew’s boat, while Andrew reaches over Bob’s boat to continue paddling on both sides of the rafted kayaks. Andrew can ex- tend his paddle on one side to better reach over Bob’s kayak if necessary. Bob can hold on at the bow, stern or just behind Andrew, with the boats pointing the same direction or opposite—whatever is most convenient. Po- sitioning and alignment will depend on the situation, with the quickest response gener- ally the best choice. Te challenge when towing is to keep both
boats parallel. Bob should assist with this by leaning over Andrew’s boat, edging his kayak like a crescent toward his support and engag- ing his core muscles to hold course. Hold-
ing the deck lines on Andrew’s boat, pulling with one hand and pushing with the other, can help Bob keep the boats together. A short, quick release strap from Andrew’s
front deck to a deck line near Bob’s bow or stern can also help. Keep a length of web- bing with a carabiner at each end and a quick release buckle near the middle handy on your front deck for this purpose. Store the strap by spanning it across your deck three times and clipping the ‘biners into one-inch loops of cord tied through the deck fittings on either side. Tis system can be deployed at three different lengths: very close, 12–18 inches or three feet. Opening or closing the angle between the
boats assists steering underway. Open the angle to turn towards the leading boat. Close the angle, or even slightly cross the boats, to turn towards the trailing kayak. Rudders can be used to assist the turn as well. Remember, the contact tow is about swift
response in potentially hazardous situations. Practice the various methods of this tech- nique to be ready to react quickly. —Ginni Callahan is a migratory guide and
BCU level 4 coach / ACA level 5 instructor who has spent 14 years summering in Cathlamet, WA, and wintering in Loreto, Baja.
“Passat G3” Expedition Class Tandem Racing Kayak by Seaward
“My Business Mantra: Nothing less than World Class will do.
That’s why I personally choose to paddle a Seaward Kayak...” Simon Coward (right) Owner of Aquabatics Paddling Co., Calgary Standing with his Seaward Passat G3.
www.seawardkayaks.com 1.800.595.9755
32 CURRENTS || Annual 2012
Congratulations Alan Harmer and Simon Coward ! Winners of the grueling Yukon 1000 Race 2011
All Seaward Kayaks Are Hand-Crafted With Pride Right Here In North America!
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