Would you use a tow teather?

Advice
#1

Would you use a tow teather in whitewater to attached to a kayakerless kayak? I am talking about attached to a quick realese belt of course. I see people whith what looks like a tow teather paddling whitewater and am wondering if thats such a smart idea or not… I can see how sea kayaking if you have someone who is not that strong and needs some help. Anyone on here use a teather?

-DanC-

#2

Carefully
I’ve used one, but only to bring an emptied boat back to a stranded paddler. Clipping on to a swamped boat in moving water can be a really bad idea…


#3

I have one
but I’ve mostly used it to clip onto paddles that I’m retrieving.This saves trying to paddle while holding two paddles. I have used it on a boat but only when I knew the rapid very well.

#4

Judiciously…
as the two already mentioned. The standard advice, you are already aware, is to always be aware of what’s downstream before committing to some particulars of a rescue. If it’s clear, or pretty straightforward small rapids, I’ve seen some really good white water paddlers (not me) quickly flip a boat over, snap on a short contact boat and drag the boat back to shore within a relatively straight stretch. I, on the other hand, not wanting to risk a short tow, have experienced pushing a swamped boat through 1,2 or even 3 sets of rapids before being to get the darn “log” in.



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