Kayaking

Am picking up my new (to me) kayak tomorrow. Double seated. No very little about it, but did a little at school and loved it. Like the idea of working them stomach muscles!
SO, any experts on here that can give me some beginners advice, or is that expert advice ?

[Luckypants]

first thing to know, is this a 'sit on top' or a true kayak where you sit inside the boat with your knees under the deck? If not a sit on top, get at least an hours worth of basic coaching to make sure that you have the the capsize drill sorted. Be prepared to get wet and cold.

Apart from that, get correct gear like bouyancy aid, helmet warm clothes or specific kayaking clothing.

If this is a two seater, I take it you are not planning on much rough water stuff? If staying on flat water, helmets are optional, but be aware that in a capsize your head is the lowest point and moving quite fast. There may be hidden rocks or debris (on a canal for example) that can hurt or worse.

I been boating for years, feel free ask questions.

My bit of advice, and I'm no expert (in anything, so there!)...

Make sure you're physically fit enough, and do some warm ups if you're going to spend a long time in the boat. Also, be cautious when getting out.

It was a "sit inside" style canoe/kayak that initially caused my back injury (made worse by people afterwards, but could of been avoided).

I used to teach paddling skills at my old uni.
I assume you can swim?
Get yourself a decent buoyancy, and wetsuit. If its a two seater, and you are planning on running rivers on it, just get an idea how hard it is to move about in the water, when you are swimming with it.

Emm. I dunno. Use a bit of sense. Make sure you are thinking about what happens if the poo poo was to hit the fan, at all times. Worst case scenario.

I have been in situations, paddling rivers or out in big surf off the west of Ireland, where I have suddenly thought "ahhh, so this is how people die paddling", but sort of after the fact. I should have seen these sort of things coming.
Stupid stuff though mainly. Miles away from the group, on a massive reef break, getting slammed about inside a wave rag doll style. When you see massive pyramid rollers cresting perfectly, or whatever, sometimes you make poor choices.

Probably you wont be quite a brain dead as I was, from what I have seen woman usually aren't.
Oh yeah, also learn the stages of hypothermia. I would often be mildly hypothermic surfing during the winter, but I sort of knew where I was along the line always.
Basically, when your speech gets slurry and you start to lose control of your hands, this is when you want to be getting out.
If you stop shivering, that's a bad sign. Never got that far myself.

Edit, the force of water is no joke though. I have broken my collar bone being very violently capsised in rivers, I have almost dislocated my shoulders being chomped in big waves. Even a small wave has enormous potential to move things. If you are ever messing about in the surf, and you are swimming with the boat, make sure the boat is between you and the beach always. If a wave hits it, and slams it into you on the way past you could be in bother.

Cheers guys, nice tips. It is an old sit in kayak, with spray decks. Nice wooden finish on top, so classy looking

I am a very strong swimmer (think my former life was as a fish ) Have sailed, and windsurfed so I definately understand the strength of water, and currents (is it spelt differently in this context? )

At this stage my intention is nice still water, sunrise, gentle paddling, with wildlife all around me ..... stouts, kingfishers blar blar blar......

Then blast out on the bike in the afternoon

but in truth, knowing what I am like i am sure we will hit more exciting water before very long, but by then i will have allowed myself time to get a feel for it so should be ok.


EEEEEeeee can't wait

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by philipMac

Emm. I dunno. Use a bit of sense. Make sure you are thinking about what happens if the poo poo was to hit the fan, at all times. Worst case scenario.

Good advice

Originally Posted by philipMac

Scary stuff....
Probably you wont be quite a brain dead as I was, from what I have seen woman usually aren't.

If you paddle big surf or push the grades on rivers, bad stuff can happen. You need to be totally switched on in these conditions. Most paddlers will have tales of epic trips, nasty swims and perhaps those that never made it... I have my share

Originally Posted by philipMac

Edit, the force of water is no joke though. I have broken my collar bone being very violently capsised in rivers, I have almost dislocated my shoulders being chomped in big waves.

90% or more of shoulder dislocations are caused by poor technique. Having never seen you paddle philipmac, I'm not saying that is the case with you. I'm just putting this into context. Kayak surfers are more prone because they use high paddle moves when carving, pulling lip or bottom moves etc. If taught correctly, good technique will protect shoulders.

Originally Posted by philipMac

Even a small wave has enormous potential to move things. If you are ever messing about in the surf, and you are swimming with the boat, make sure the boat is between you and the beach always. If a wave hits it, and slams it into you on the way past you could be in bother.

Agreed and good advice. Swimming is a skill in itself, especially in fast moving water. Rough water swimming is a skill to be learnet and practised. I still have a 'practice swim' down friendly grade 3 with my paddling buddies. We get out our throwlines and practice. The time to train for rescue is not in an emergency!

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by Tomcat

At this stage my intention is nice still water, sunrise, gentle paddling, with wildlife all around me ..... stouts, kingfishers blar blar blar......

Then blast out on the bike in the afternoon

but in truth, knowing what I am like i am sure we will hit more exciting water before very long, but by then i will have allowed myself time to get a feel for it so should be ok.


EEEEEeeee can't wait

Have fun! Sort out the capsize drill (how to get out when upside down) and you will be good to go.

If you want to go on rougher water, seek out your local Canoe Club and get tuition for free. You will also find folks willing to take you out in a group.

Finally, check out my kids websites - gives you an idea of the mad stuff we get up to... (blatant plug for my kids! )

Lowri
Jona

Good for you plugging your kids ..... they are great!

Yep, my intentions are calm still water at the mo, work my body, but keep my mind calm (I am always racing around so i am seeing this as a meditation session!) but who knows, its always good to learn a new sport of any kind.

Defo first thing is the capsize, my bf has done quite abit (and I have done very little at about 10 yrs old!) so I am in safe hands.... but you need to know what your doing youself (for their safety as well as your own). Anyway, its all good .... maybe will see some white water one day ... but not any of the drops thanks, I'm too old

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by Tomcat

maybe will see some white water one day ... but not any of the drops thanks, I'm too old

I don't think so! You are must be younger than me and I'm still boating. Some of my 'most impressive' boating was done in my 30's.

Enjoy whatever you do.

Here, tomcat, do you have a dry bag? If you are going for nice trips on still water, its still handy. Stick the keys and sambos in there.

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Good advice

90% or more of shoulder dislocations are caused by poor technique. Having never seen you paddle philipmac, I'm not saying that is the case with you. I'm just putting this into context. Kayak surfers are more prone because they use high paddle moves when carving, pulling lip or bottom moves etc. If taught correctly, good technique will protect shoulders.

Ah yeah, no I am definitely not the greatest paddler in the world alright.

That time that it almost got popped the shoulder was in a big wave (mate said the face was 2 and a half times the length the boat when it crested) and I just didn't let go of one end of the paddle fast enough. I just felt the pull as I was letting go of the paddle.

I know what you mean about technique, it's an easy habit to get in to, reaching out a bit too far, straightening your arm totally.

The crack in the collar bone... nothing I could do there. Waiting to get washed into to proper water to get the roll in, and cLang, river not deep enough, collar bone to rock action. Still got the roll in though.