Kayak Safety Flags

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by Seaplane Pilot

However, I was dead serious about the use of the flag itself and the fact that kayakers should take much more care in making themselves visible to other boaters. Anyone that disagrees with the need for this type of visible flag on small kayaks and other craft needs to have their real agenda exposed.

Agenda? Well I am a long time power boater and kayaker, safely enjoy each and have lots of experience at each. So that is my real agenda if you will.

As I noted in an earlier post my opinion is that flags are much less effective than safety color paddle blades. However I am not an advocate of establishing a new flag and paddle color police force nor am I an advocate of motor cycle helmets being mandatory even though I wear one.

The flag idea would actually decrease many paddlers ability to self rescue a kayak. Many flat water kayakers, my wife and I included, come form a whitewater kayaking background and have effective and reliable kayak rolls. A flatwater touring kayak rolls slower than a WW kayak and with somewhat more effort. A flag on a mast would make a combat roll very difficult or maybe even impossible.