An excellent example of how to self-rescue. As someone whose also getting older and wider this vidoe gives the technique a real-world context that many of us need, even if we don't like ot admit it! Thank you for putting it together.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@stevec-b6214

3 жыл бұрын

at first i thought you meant older and `wiser`, then I looked down.........

I discovered this year that my heavy dry bags don't float when full of water. This is a great technique and I have been teaching it more this year - unfortunately in one demonstration, the bag slipped before I could get it clipped in - down it went..... I had never thought about this as an issue because dry bags always have air. I was in deep murky water with a bit of current, the bag was gone... Lesson learned.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Good point and I had intended to mention this. I had a customer lose a good dry bag of mine whilst practising this, just as you say. Around a year later we found the same dry bag washed up on the shore! It had evidently been in the water, at depth, for most of this time and for some reason resurfaced. I have considered put a small disc of foam in the bottom of the dry bag to counter this.

Having recently capsized (my first time...) it has made me re-evaluate what should be in the boat at all times. We all take a first aid so these things like the counter weight bag should and will be as important. Great stuff and well filmed, nice to see it POV and not just from a distance.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

It happens to us all. First it is necessary to understand it can happen to any of us, second have a system for dealing with it. Thanks for your comments.

Very informative. It would be brilliant to see a tandem self rescue under harsh conditions. under cold water conditions it would be great to see the most straightforward ways to self-rescue with the idea of "Cold Water Boot Camp" - 1-10-1. Love your work!

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Great suggestion! Will put that on the very long list. I need also to do a video on the Cold Water Boot camp stuff: a really good source of information.

@jamesbinns8528

2 жыл бұрын

Cold water in big lake could be deadly...

Your "works for me" comment is great. Canoe safety is on most paddlers minds, but often it's more wishful thinking than a practiced action that works. I used to use big airbags in my Mad River Howler, and I used thigh straps and foam knee and foot blocks; I could roll it up easily. Nowadays I'm paddling a Wenonah Jensen solo and I should spend some time rigging some gear that will get me back into the boat without swimming while dragging the boat to shallow water. It's a whole new game to self rescue without big airbags or without being near shore. You've provided great food for thought.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

4 ай бұрын

Glad to get you thinking. I have another one to try out when warmer weather returns. Thank you for commenting.

You're a wealth of information sir, thank you!

@RayGoodwinCanoe

2 жыл бұрын

You are most welcome

Really enjoying your videos. Thanks. Achnamara, Argyll.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

You're most welcome!

Thank you.once again . for sharing your knowledge and experience...✌️

@RayGoodwinCanoe

7 ай бұрын

Glad to be of help.

Invaluable to see this done in realistic conditions. Highlights the importance of making systems simple for when dexterity is diminished.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comments Chris. I am planning a very cold/video for Feb or March so I can talk through the sequence of things in a cold water immersion.

May I recommend a nice warm day in the middle of summer for practice and filming! That said it’s always very very important to have a go at this when conditions are less than favourable and you’re knackered and cold an wet, this will allow you to understand your limitations help you make good decisions prior and during the crappy times. Well done Ray another bloody good vid - not everyone is as fit, strong and flexible as we were at 20.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Yep my timing was not good! Mind I have plans for some real cold water stuff early next year. Needs to be videoed but not looking forward to it. A look at the dangers of cold water. Thank for you comments Tony. Welcome as ever

@tonystacey3347

3 жыл бұрын

@@RayGoodwinCanoe i remember vividly on an all in rescue on my SI assessment - I’d had a long weekend and had been cold and wet all weekend with a crap old wetsuit on and I jumped in the first boat to empty the others and I didn’t have the strength. Despite priding myself on the speed and ease of my rescues I couldn’t do it, I had to get help from the other guys. A massive and valuable lesson that has stayed with me throughout my carer.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Yep that's what I want to cover in a cold water video. Most underestimate the effect of cold water on dexterity and strength.

@tonystacey3347

3 жыл бұрын

@@RayGoodwinCanoe .. and wearing extra clothes that restrict movement therefore are more tiring over a sustained period. (scuba diving, you’re absolutely knacked by the time you get to the water with all your gear on)

Simply invaluable knowledge! I haven’t tipped yet but it makes sense to practice this technique and be well prepared with the dry bag and ropes.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

My level of fitness is similar if not worse .Bit of a struggle to get back in with time limited stamina .Hope it works for me . Extra dry bag as counterweigh is brilliant !! I also carry a paddle float and can ,hopefully, fashion a stirrup with my short rope with caribina each end, should it become necessary ( correction - I Will make a stirrup anyway )" Sea Kayak and Canadian Just had my 75th last week but having a job to get my (Younger) "Gerriatric" friends to join me at this time of year, since I capsized in the canal last December , even though I tell them there is no season for canoeing. Roll on Spring.!!!!

@RayGoodwinCanoe

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for that. I think I an going to keep my practise to a warmer time of year now.

Very useful Ray. Great tips about the strong dry bag, the internal bucket, and the carabiner safety system, and an excellent demo of how it works in rough conditions. Thank you. 😁👍

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

As ever thank you David. Glad you found the tips useful.

Thank you once again Ray .... with all this info going online , it’ll save me buying your book :) Joking , I have a rare unsigned one :)

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Oh no I must stop doing the videos for those without the book! Look after it seeing it is unsigned. keep well and thanks

Ray, this is so good. I have tried all manner of ways, including a rope stirrup that didn't work to re enter my boat and have relied on fitness and agility to get back in. As you say, we are not as young as we were. Putting an extra big dry bag in and using it this way is brilliant. Thanks. Inspiring stuff.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Steve. Useful feedback on the usefulness of this video

@jamesbinns8528

2 жыл бұрын

I paddle a SUP, as well as a canoe. A sup is much easier "re-enter!"

Thought provoking video Ray. Recall, I do most of my open water travelling in the 30 inch beam cedar solo, one 100 litre kit bag, one accessory bag, no air bags. Lightness is my deal. I NEED to develop a real-world answer to the inevitable question..!

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Hopefully we never need to do it for real but it pays to have a plan. Good to hear from you. Keep well

@grahamrowe6278

3 жыл бұрын

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Too right Ray... Technique and skills over hope and good fortune, eh!

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

@@grahamrowe6278 I have never underestimated the importance of good fortune and luck.

@grahamrowe6278

3 жыл бұрын

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Indeed, we well lean back on that chair... no harm in having organised a back-stop!

Brilliant... ingenious

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you

I will try this when it warms up great video Thanks Tony

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

That is a sensible plan. Even with a drysuit it is a big chilly.

Another great video Ray.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Appreciated

Good show, thank you for your time

@RayGoodwinCanoe

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Appreciated.

Another excellent informative clip, thank you Ray, considering that last weekend my friend as nd I almost had to practice our capsize drill in earnest in a lake in the dark, with strong winds to boot, we will be putting this to use and practice.. Again many thanks Mr Goodwin!

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Joe. Appreciated.

Thanks for the very informative video Ray .

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Bit of bing watching there Michael: thank you for watching and your kind comments on all of them.

@MichaelAnderson-zp6il

3 жыл бұрын

@@RayGoodwinCanoe your a great teacher i have much to learn .

Lots of useful information again for us Ray in your very hands on way love it, many people explain how to do these things but never actually do them. (Brilliant) many thanks👍.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Glad it is of use. Yep thought it would be good practise for me as well. Easy to fall out of practise.

Jeez, well done. Great video, full of ideas. Nasty weather well coped with. Fantastic.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

2 жыл бұрын

Yep deliberately did in poor weather. Too easy to practise in mirror calm but when you need it it is unlikely to be like that. Thank you for watching and commenting on a whole series of videos. Appreciated.

Another great vid Ray, thanks! Great advice to get out and practice these techniques before you actually need them, build muscle memory. Failing to prepare is often preparing to fail. Stay safe and atb

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Glad it was useful. Not sure you can build muscle memory without and awful lot of practise but I get the idea. I think it more about working out a plan, playing with it and making sure you know the downsides as well. Have fun

Nice one Ray 👍. Thanks for sharing Atb Rick

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it. There is one more in the series to film, the all in rescue.

@RickTOutdoorAdventure1969

3 жыл бұрын

@@RayGoodwinCanoe nice one. Love a good all in rescue lol especially if you've got a couple of 20 stone 55 + year old blokes in the party 😃. Weve all been there lol 😃

Hi Ray, I have to say I enjoyed that one, well put across, and informative cheers! I like the additional outfitting and your use of ballast Hope your well, Stu

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that Stuart. Doing good here and hope you are well too

Great job Ray . Thanks 🇨🇦👍

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you.

Good video again Ray, and thanks for taking one for team and being in the water! As I’m the same height age and shape as yourself I have to rely on making different techniques work for me. Reading Sue and Jamie’s comments about using the sail if sailing as a counterweight and doing like a water start could work speaking as an ex windsurfer and I am going to give that a go as well as try your counter weight idea with the dry bag.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

I am not convinced by the water start for me😟 I can just see the canoe sailing off down the lake without me 😂. Yep it seems a lot of folk like to see me in the water. Must do more of this sort. And thank you.

Nice video Ray. Looked cold!!!! You’ll have to come back out to see us in the Ardeche and do some rescue videos in the warmer waters... 😜 The side airbags looked good, I’d not come across those before.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

So looking forward to being back down there (you wouldn't believe how much). I need to do some throw bag videos and the like as well as paddling technique. Must get a plan together. PS it wasn't too bad in the lake........ honest

Great video Ray, really good practical tips. Cheers

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Glad it is of use

Thats nice and clever thinking 👌 Thanks for the video!

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

You are most welcome

Love this info , definitely something worth practicing , thank you

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Glad it was of use and interest

Great video I’m get on In years and I love how you recognize limitations.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

2 жыл бұрын

Yep it comes to us all in time. Working hard to keep going as the body is now making things harder. Keep well

Great article once again Ray, I've seen your group rescues thanks to PK, but always wondered what do I if it happened solo, and the answer appears to be quite simple. Thanks again for another informative article. Stay safe, Nige.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Nigel. Appreciated. More on rescues to come.

Thanks for sharing valuable experience. Im not necessarily older but I was looking for assistance in case of injury and I like you're variation of the methods and the redundancy of extra loops.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

Жыл бұрын

I am glad it was of use. I have two more to video in that series but will probably wait to warmer weather. Thanks

A very informative video. These ideas and tips could be applicable to a flipped recreational kayak. I will try it out when the weather gets a bit warmer.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Still watching, still learning Ray, combining your book, videos and what you taught at Windermere is getting me more confident in getting out on the water, as you demonstrate, it's not the fear of going for a swim but the confidence of knowing how to deal with it. Stay safe, big hugs to Billy 👍👍☕

@RayGoodwinCanoe

2 жыл бұрын

Keep playing , keep paddling and have fun. Ray

An option: use an orange TubTrug as a bailer and counterweight. almost no setup needed, and bails a lot of water. Choose size to taste..

@RayGoodwinCanoe

8 ай бұрын

Yep a mate of mine, Dave Luke, uses that method and it works well for him. Not so good for me. That is the great thing about creating a range of options so you can choose what works best for you.

I found this video really informative, I know of the water in the dry bag technique and didn't expect to learn much from this video but how wrong was I? The beauty of this video is the detail (usually where the devil hides) . Loops of cord around the yolk, bucket in the dry bag, type of dry bag and the dry bag modification all good stuff and defiantly food for thought and something to add to our kit. As for side air bags, I can vouch for them too. Also good to see the self rescue prove itself in conditions when you are most likely to need it- BTW looks cold in there, hope there was a nice hot toddy at the end of the day? Once again; nice one Ray :)

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Glad the details were useful. Yep a bit chilly but now planning on some cold water stuff in late winter to discuss the effect of cold water ......... and it looks like me in the water again. Thanks for the very useful feedback.

Nice one Ray.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Paul, appreciated

Having just watched the movie The Brotherhood, a true tragedy about an overloaded canoe crammed full of summer camp boys overturning on a big lake in a sudden storm, I wanted to see if there was any way to right a big capsized canoe in the middle of a lake. It was painful watching the movie. PFD's should be mandatory not just in the canoe, but on the person at all times while in the canoe, IMO. None of the boys was wearing one. Thanks for the helpful video.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

2 жыл бұрын

Nadia, yep that is a disturbing film. With a big canoe it really needs a big amount of buoyancy installed so that it can be paddled flooded. A desperate situation made worse by the lack of PFD's But even with PFDs people drown once they become unconscious. few canoeist will choose to wear a Pfd with a massive chest floatation and an inflated collar the only way of giving a guaranteed face up float once unconscious. The following website has got some really good information on cold water immersion: www.coldwaterbootcamp.com/pages/home.html The videos are available on free downloads on the site.

Brilliant thanks

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Very welcome

Looks like me fighting the boat and catching the breath 🙂

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

I tell you what, I had to catch my breath a few times doing that.

Side airbags are essential in my view. Solway Dory have some excellent info. They also make paddling a fully waterlogged canoe in white water so much easier. But I do like the counter-weight idea - great thinking Ray ! Looked like a cold one to film :-)

@RayGoodwinCanoe

2 жыл бұрын

Yep my starting point was with Solway Dory but the extra long side airbags I found interfered with my paddling style hence the shorter ones (black) ahead of the carrying thwart. Yep still playing with ideas so maybe there will be a third video. And yes it was cold and the canoe was blowing onto me making it very uncomfortable. Not a lot of fun in that water.

@chaswarren7239

2 жыл бұрын

@@RayGoodwinCanoe I agree to agree Ray, but I also find that in white water mode I can tuck my knees under the back of the bags to stop myself sliding off the seat & feel more stable. All personal choice & as you say it's whether it works for you that matters.

Wow. You da man!

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Yes the very wet one. 🤣

Wonderful ideas. Done a lot of recoveries but not pushing 75 and was out last weekend with snow still on the ground. Wondered if I'd be able to recover if we flipped because I had a novice canoeist with me. Puppy seems to want to "herd" you.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. Yep as I have got older a lot has got harder and I have needed other solutions. I try not to let the dog(s) become too much of a distraction but they do capture folk's attention.

Thank you for showing these lifesaving skills Ray. Much appreciated. Something I'll try later this year myself as I have never done a self rescue with my Ally. I'm curious how it will behave, as it doesn't have a rigid hull like standard canoes do and it's weight is also much lighter..

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

That will be interesting. No clear idea myself.

The counterweight is a great idea! I wonder if it would help to have both side bags on the side you are entering on? Or if there is a way to secure them outside of the canoe, both on the side you are entering on? Might be less bailing to do after.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

8 ай бұрын

There is something to be said for having one bigger airbag on one side and I have know folk that do that. Definitely not using them on the outside myself as I would either have to have them in place beforehand, making normal paddling harder, or have a system for fixing them there after a capsize and i think that would be too slow for me. But worth a try and finding out what works for you

Really useful - noting comment about losing the counter-weight -bag, perhaps one could attach the bag with a line before filling, obviously long enough to enable filling the bag (like the trugg-bucket idea). Of course I could have used the 5lt water can I used to carry for trimming, but having been inspired to make and fit a kneeling thwart by your kind self I've ditch it (smile), so much the better though! Many thanks.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

I think I may put a small bit of closed cell foam in the bottom of the bag.

Yikes that looked a little cold - and wind chill! Thanks for the self rescue tips. Question; what type of drysuit do have and or recommend. thanks

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

In reality it wasn't too bad. A cold day in Feb or March would up it seriously as the lake will be reaching its lowest temperatures then. Drysuit: NRS sponsor me and I am using their Explorer Paddling Suit. I am going to up that next year to one of theirs with a hood for those really foul days. I am really happy with the quality of kit they are providing me with and will stick with them for many years.

@cjclark5094

3 жыл бұрын

@@RayGoodwinCanoe thanks for the quick reply and information.

@grahamfisher5436

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Ray ........ I saw a friend drown in LOCKGATES when I was 13, and couldn't go anywhere near canals.. I couldn't take a bath, because when I put my head back against the bath side, it became a lockgate.!!!! my nightmares were beyond terror .... that was 35 years ago????!!! I'm now 48 Then last year, I found and started watching your channel .. so last year I brought a second hand Old Town Ojibway, a PFD, wetsuit and other safety gear, a British Canoe membership and a Bristol Harbour year permit.. Took the canoe to the harbour and got in that canoe and Faced my biggest and restricting Fear... I paddled out onto the waters (I was sh!@tying myself )... I paddled through the huge commercial harbour docks .... and from that moment... my fears Completely disappeared... leaving me with the ability to completely enjoy all the pleasures and joys that the waters give.. I am planning to take some courses with a local coach ... I've been saving EVERY penny since last August ... ( I dont have much money and never use loans nor credit cards... old school) last week I purchased from Kevin At North shore Watersports in Middlesbrough.. a NRS Pivot drysuit.. NRS Vapour boots and Neoprene gloves.. next week im getting a NRS Cvest, NRS Co Pilot safety knife and a safety buoy ... they are not the cheapest, however my life is Priceless and NRS gear is quality and that is essential to me... I sent David at NRSa email to explain my story... he actually called me back and we had a really lovely chat.... Iam planning to document my canoeing journey and experiences, (I also have a few physical and physiological medical conditions) and so canoeing is about the only activity I can fully engage in ..) so I want to inspire others out there , that canoeing is a realistic and fantastic activity .. it is a medicine .. it is spiritual. it is wonderful... I'm thinking of calling my youtube Channel. . ***Cando Canoe *** Ray .... You have really Really helped me turn my life around.. Ray ... YOU are Wonderful YOU are spiritual You are MEDICINAL thank you so much. .... Oh yes ?!!!!!!!! I've also got a Hue canoe, waiting on hold for me to go collect, from a good friend of yours .. its Stu at Wye Adventures. ..he spoke so highly of you when I met him last year..... I have a saying......... 'Life is a storm ' 'Occasionally we find a safe harbour' 'Rarely we find a beach' I've been through storms you Ray are a safe Harbour that allowed me to fing my Beach. . on them waters.. Thank You ... 🤗🛶🤗👍🤗🙏🤗🤘🤗🏞🤗🌊🤗🧘‍♂️🤗💓🤗🏞🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

@@grahamfisher5436 : Wow that is quite something. Yep these horrors last and effect us for a long time if not a life time. Some of the not good things, from over the years, still effect me. Glad to be of help and inspiration. Enjoy your journey.

Hi Ray, how did you rig up the GoPro mount on the canoe? Maybe an idea for a video could be the differences in paddles, pros and cons for different shapes and construction. Cheers Richard

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Great idea! I am going to do a video on rigging the camera. The system I use is from railblaza.co.uk it is their Starports (one mounted on each deck plate via a piece of wood under the plate to screw into. Then using their camera boom. I always attached the camera with a lanyard direct to the boat. I have know a joint come undone and the camera come loose.

@ellon118

3 жыл бұрын

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Thanks for that Ray, I'll go and take a look at Railblaza. Cheers

Hi Ray, do you have a preferred size of air bag? the one you were using looked about 30l ish.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Good observation. Mine was 25L so that or 30 will generally do the job.

@antmayer4223

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks👍😊🛶

I've just today come across your videos. I'm in the US, and a river paddler. I don't think that my state has any lake that would allow me to get thirty miles from land. Thank you for the tips. You are inspiring me to take my Krueger canoe, which I've barely used, onto my area's largest lake. Nearly every one I paddle with--- canoeists or kayakers --- uses a solo boat. What is the reason that you use a tandem canoe? Btw, I'd love to put a sail on my canoe!

@RayGoodwinCanoe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for commenting. Paddling a tandem boat solo is a bit of thing here in the Uk. It really goes back 40 years or more when lots of paddlers were getting into canoes as opposed to kayaking. Everything was influence by Bill Mason's films and books and so we took on a very traditional Canadian style of paddling and using of boats. I have stuck with that. It allows me to use the same boat for ww, poling, sailing and general open water travel. But rest assured there are plenty of folk here that paddle true solo boats.

Who takes all that equipment along for a canoe ride?

@RayGoodwinCanoe

5 ай бұрын

Depends where I am going. Longest trip on my channel is 14 days so a lot of kit. Be out in British winter conditions I like to take a good quality kit. So again it depends how long I am going and in what conditions.

you're gonna need a bigger bailer!

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely. On big open water crossings I take a bucket in addition to a big bailer. Needed it once miles out into the Irish Sea.

Could ne much more difficult with sail on.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

We nearly did it again with a sail rig on but I had had enough. It doesn't make a lot of difference as long as the sail is flapping loose.

@suetadman3530

3 жыл бұрын

I had to self rescue with sail up when a gust of wind caught me unawares on Windermere. I went round the windward side of the boat and the sail actually helped me get back in by acting as a 'counterweight' as the wind was still blowing. The easiest re-entry I've ever done! Presumably, Ray, without the sail up, there would still be a small advantage in tilting the boat INTO the wind?

@RayGoodwinCanoe

3 жыл бұрын

@@suetadman3530 I have always thought of that as a possible but never done it deliberately. Good to know it works and great presence of mind. PS just had the tide tables arrive (today) for next year will look at those on Monday and get back to you. Hoping for a life post Covid.

@jnoble123

3 жыл бұрын

@@suetadman3530 Sounds like you benefited from the same kind of technique that windsurfers use to do what's called a water start. I must admit I hadn't considered it in the context of a canoe before. Thank-you!

why do you people try to use canoes on this type of water. Wrong boat to use in these conditions.

@RayGoodwinCanoe

2 жыл бұрын

Hi John, this type of boat has been used on this type of water for thousands of years. We follow a fine tradition. Out of interest I have never fallen in on this type of water but in the same way a ship practises lifeboat drill, I am many others, do capsize drills just in case. On this day conditions were not hard as I could still paddle into the wind. Anyway I hope that explains my position. Cheers.