the "why I paddle alone thread" touched on risk management for the soloist. I didn't think it a good idea to derail to risk management for more than one but I have been doing paired solo trips for my "group" trips for three or four years ago and do have some concerns. One of the biggest challenges is keeping the group together. During my days as a Registered Maine Sea Kayak Guide I was not guiding alone and usually there were three of us to herd the "cats". Paddlers can scatter amazingly quickly. One of us would lead, one sweep, and one on the side to ensure all stayed close to shore.
But with a paired solo...one and an equally good paddler ( or faster) titles matter not. Its my hubby. In a sea kayak he can take off. Worse he is totally deaf on the water. ( Long Island Sound has one of his hearing aids at the 85 foot mark. That was an expensive lesson). When things are dicey I can explain on land the need to always be side to side within ten seconds of each other. But when he is ahead and things get dicey I can't catch him. I have tried the whistle ( Fox 40..he cant hear it)
Any other suggestions short of a training electric dog collar?
But with a paired solo...one and an equally good paddler ( or faster) titles matter not. Its my hubby. In a sea kayak he can take off. Worse he is totally deaf on the water. ( Long Island Sound has one of his hearing aids at the 85 foot mark. That was an expensive lesson). When things are dicey I can explain on land the need to always be side to side within ten seconds of each other. But when he is ahead and things get dicey I can't catch him. I have tried the whistle ( Fox 40..he cant hear it)
Any other suggestions short of a training electric dog collar?