I’d go w/out pfd before w/out spare
while I’ve only needed a spare twice in my paddling days (so far) - once in Voyageurs National Park (after portaging up rapids, fellow paddler plopped his yak in water a bit early - it went back down rapids - boat was recovered, paddle - not so much), the other time was after getting out of surf zone on about day 20 or so of a 100 day trip up coast of Aus, I ‘parked’ my paddle (in dark). Went to retrieve paddle - it was gone (ok, a bad mistake on my part - not making sure I secured paddle well enough - but without a spare - I’d have been out in the middle of nowhere without a paddle)
Andy
Yes…
…a paddling companion lost his at Dimple on the LY
Here goes !!!
I broke the one I used on the kids butts many moons ago, and could have used a spare.
I used to use one of those paddles that had the small rubber ball and elastic band attached as my keeping order tool with our eight kids. (the ball and band were removed)
One day I broke it on the palm of my hand when I was whacking it and threatening Katie.
There was a bunch of snickering and one of the older ones in the back ground remarkd, “What cha going to do now dad?”
Lets here it from all you Mass. folks!
Is there a statute of limitation up there on child abuse?
Funny how all my (now grown) kids seem to lavish love on me.
Cheers,
JackL
No but better than not having one.
A friend of mine lost his paddle and luckly he had a spare. Better with a spare then "up the creek without a paddle."FishHawk
Ah’ used ta git cloobered
wit a wooden spoon - not dat ah’ didn’t deserve it…
FE
With me it was a razor strap
Imagine what that antique would be worth now !
cheers,
jackL
Yes, I’ve needed mine twice…
…when my main paddle was torn from my grasp in rough water. I’ve also lent paddles to other paddlers who’ve lost or broken theirs. I never paddle without a spare and can’t think of a single good reason not to carry one.
Only once, so far…
…when I went under to do an extended paddle roll, and the whole blade broke off on my way back up. Fortunately, a paddling companion had a spare, as I didn’t.
Sure proves something
That is, if you had finished the trip paddling with a 2 by 4.
There are moments when I would agree that it takes a “real man” to do that rather than stop to make arrangements for a decent paddle. Especially in the wilds of an inland river where some kind of civilization isn’t usually a hundred miles away.
But then I remember I’m being sexist.
Only once that I recall
My brother broke a paddle on a week long canoe trip on the San Juan in Utah. The remaining 50 mile would have seemed pretty long to paddle with a tree branch.
Of course, my wife once left both her double-bladed paddle and her back up paddle at the take out, and we didn’t realize they were lost until we were leaving on a major trip. After scrambling around we finally found a place to buy something so we could get away on our trip–she’s the only double-blader in our group.
So now not only do we have a paddle and a backup for her, I also have a second, secret back up that she doesn’t know about and can’t lose.
The same issue may never come up again, but if it does, then I’ll look pretty dang smart.
At Least 3 Times
Maybe more, but in almost 30 years paddling I can REMEMBER breaking two and losing one after a swim. Would have been a real PIA all those without a spare, so I’m willing to carry a spare for that rare occasion. Besides, I like changing up and using different paddles just for a bit of variety. WW
Oh man, that’s good
Is there a write-up of this event Drdisco? A perfect illustration of “anything can happen and probably will.”
I like sexist
– Last Updated: Dec-01-07 2:54 PM EST –
especially if they can paddle.
Dimple is a lousy place
to be without a spare paddle.
Jim
I haven’t lost or broken a paddle on the
water but I have had some friends show up at the putin and find out that their paddles were still at home acouple of times. After paddling all day with my old, heavy as lead paddle they remember to bring their own from then on.
Always had that fear.
So my paddle stays in my kayak 24/7. My kayak is out in my driveway not with my paddle in it.
Twice when I paddled an open canoe
Once, I capsized over a rapid and the boat got away from me, the second time when I switched to a DBCP in rough water.
Not often
Normaly i switch up for lots of reasons. so i seldom if ever go without a spare canoe and kayak paddle. but i have had people that benifited from my spares.
Rather Dimple than…
…River’s End
Dangerous situation vs. just lost time
I’m one of those who normally doesn’t carry a spare paddle except on camping trips.
Still, that’s because my usual day trips are on familiar lakes with good bail-out points. If it takes me longer to get back because I had to use half a paddle or hand-paddle or pull the kayak along shore, well, I get back later.
That said, if I were paddling in areas with noticeable tidal current, there is no way I’d forego the spare. Lose a paddle and miss being in the right place at the right time, no thanks.