Re: Remounting

See the article below to see ace remounter Alain in action!
surfski.info/index.php?option=com_conten...ew&id=421&Itemid=155

I know this has been mentioned on this site before, but how does one grasp foot strap and paddle on these new deep skies? While not a problem on my mako, I cannot grasp both the strap and paddle on my new V10 unless strap is adjusted as loose as possible. My hands are not particularly large, so I cannot "palm" a basketball and now cannot hold a V10 foot strap ???.

Good question... Keith, Oscar how we supposed to remount now? You gotta build skis for people who fall off.

In big conditions I don't feel very safe in the intermediate position with legs hanging over the rails, because it seems like you're vulnerable to a big whitecap dragging you out of control, or even throwing you over. My goal is to get into the full paddling position as quickly as possible, with paddle properly indexed and ready to brace. If a breather is required, I'd rather take it in the water before the remount, or after assuming paddling position.

When I came off at the ARB World Cup I had exactly your feelings - the waves were massive & were breaking hard. To my surprise I found that my technique (bum first) wasn't slow at all and I got back in really fast!

But then my leash came off (faulty clip) and I fiddled about for about the longest minute of my life getting reattached. I did NOT want to be out there without a leash!

The point is that both straddle & bum first methods can be quick given some incentive.

I'm a novice, so may fail to appreciate the finer points, but the side mount is so very much easier and faster for me that I must ask, why should I master the straddle mount? The primary advantage claimed for the straddle mount seems to be speed of re-entry, but that is not the case for me, particularly with a loaded pfd.

why should I master the straddle mount?

I'd say if you're quicker with a sidesaddle mount there's no good reason to master the straddle mount. Whatever you're comfortable with is good.

I can attest to the difficulty to grasping both the paddle and the foot strap on a V10. It is not easy unless the straps are set as wide as possible. I am fairly comfortable with the straddle mount and have yet to attempt the sidestraddle. Seems like when I fall from my ski I am usually tired and want to get on ASAP.