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| Complex design A towline needs to meet several demanding and sometimes contradictory requirements. It must be unobtrusive but be close at hand, enclosed but easy to open. In use, it has to attach easily and come off easily, but remain secure under difficult conditions. It should be of simple design but adaptable to various modes of use. It should be strong yet just a little elastic, it must be quick to deploy in a short tether and in a long towline. It must release reliably when the user is capsized and the line is under tension. It must be usable with cold wet hands and with gloves on. We will need a few pieces of good gear to make a proper towing system that meet all these demands without getting complicated, awkward or bulky. I start with a standard whitewater quick-release rescue belt and cow-tail available at most whitewater paddling gear outlets. This simple unobtrusive setup is excellent for short-tows over a short distance. To tow an unstable or distressed kayaker, a push-tow (also called a toggle-tow or a rafted-tow) can be used. (See "The Rafted Tow," SK, October 1998.)
The cow tail is a piece of nylon tubing with a shock cord threaded through it. Coming alongside the distressed kayaker, quickly clip the cow-tail onto the forward deck lines or bow carry toggle. With the cow-tail attached to the bow, and the kayaks in a bow-to-stern orientation, you can push the victim's boat. Paddling forward causes the kayaks to move together and the victim can take comfort, leaning on the rescue kayak for stability. This push-tow is very effective-maneuvering and making good forward speed is surprisingly easy. If the kayak you are pushing has a rudder or skeg it should be retracted in most cases. If you are having difficulty keeping a steady course in wind or waves, dropping your skeg or rudder is likely to help. |
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