Seasoned Senior Sassy Blue Water Guides, Kim and Dean took the young and dedicated BWV guides out for some rescue training yesterday. They were amazing! We covered self rescues, T-rescues, Side By Side, Heel Hook, tides, currents, bow angles, barf…yes the sea sick scenario….and the scoop rescue.
Here’s the Scoop. Dean and I were the first over feigning an injured shoulder and exhausted paddler. Through the suppressed giggles, we simply could not get back in the boat even using our trusted heel hook rescue.
Many years ago when I was certified as a Level 4 Sea Kayaking instructor, Marce Wise threw he scoop rescue at me on the final hour of certification. Having never performed one, I did pretty well considering back then a quick google search to a Utube Video didn’t exist.

Having only practiced this rescue on a single paddler, we gave them a few ideas from our chilly perch. Ezra and Malena worked as a team and brain stormed how to get two injured paddlers back in a tandem using their paddles as a pry…..They did a fantastic job!
I have a birthday coming up, inching towards the BIG one…..but still having fun and truly rewarded by offering these guide training sessions. Onward we go!
Kim Powell, Owner Operator and Naturalist of Blue Water Ventures



