: I ran into this exact problem, with my girlfriends mother seeing
: the pictures of our first paddle in her kayak, and exclaiming
: when she saw this photo:
:
: https://picasaweb.google.com/emmstill/FodelsedagspresentKajakD#5627746572145550114

: but then she of course relaxed when she saw the next picture:
:
: https://picasaweb.google.com/emmstill/FodelsedagspresentKajakD#5627739157036494290

: and... she did get a PFD for a birthday present two days later :P

: I don't own a PFD though, but I do always wear my semi-dry suit
: when paddling, while it's not optimal because I'm just as likely
: to float face down, if I'm not unconcious it shouldn't be a
: problem, and I cannot get my entire body under the surface when
: wearing it.

In most places it's illegal to paddle without a pfd, don't necessarily by law have to have it on, but have to have it with you.

Bill H.