Ballast For Balance Posted by: ffeingo on Dec-12-12 10:56 AM (EST)
Heresy? Not all traditional kayak societies (see Zimmerly) rolled or braced. Many used ballast. I am a badly coordinated coward with 7/8th of a roll. (I can do European self and assisted rescues) HOWEVER: I have made my life, and others' much more enjoyable simply by putting I pads with D-rings in the bottoms of some of our kayaks and tying in diving weights. Other schemes will work; just make sure that the ballast is secured. Of course fool proof floatation must be added. Even Derrick threw in some rocks when called for.