Chaz wrote:
I pulled the video of my attempts since I tired of the personal attacks.
Chaz, put your video back up! It has great instructional value, promotes safety and IMO may help save someone. I don't think anybody meant their opinion as a personal attack, rather a point of view. Regardless, your video demonstrates various techniques and spurs users to learn how to do this rather than assume they can do it -- vital information!
Joel_T wrote:
At the end of the day we're gonna try anchoring the paddle/float arraingment at the top using a loop underneath with a trailing stirrup. I don't have an inflatable PFD yet but if need be I may take off the PFD to try a smoother form to move up and over. We'll see.
A friend gave a little demo at the lake the other day on a similar arrangement. Worked out pretty well. Here are a few pics of his rig if it helps:
1. Loop over the paddle, far side
2. loop over the paddle near side w/ stirrup attached that also serves as tensioner for the paddle when stepped in.
3. Climbing aboard.
He has apparently since developed a faster method to secure the paddle (necessary in colder water), but we'll have to wait to see if he makes it back to the lake while the water is still warm enough for another demo!
Good luck Thursday -- take some pics and let us know how it went, along with your suggestions!