Kayak training (Day 2)
After yesterday’s training and my poor showing, I really hoped that today would go better.
I was a bit off balance during the first rapid, but managed to keep my cool and stay afloat. One quickly discovers how to react to the currents once you’re going down stream, i.e. moving with the flow of the water.
Yesterday, we were thrown into the deep end, trying to cross strong currents from the sides. I would’ve approached the training differently, but I guess every teacher has their own style. In general, I don’t subscribe to the “get thrown into the deep end” philosophy.
Anyhow, I picked-up how to navigate currents and get through all the eddies and all that. It came quite naturally towards the end. I also had a bit of fun playing in some of the smaller waves. I misunderstood the trainer yesterday and henceforth leaned the wrong way, capsizing my mighty vessel a few million times.
I didn’t attempt a roll today, since I was pretty sure I would just mess it up again. I would need a few more sessions to nail the technique and learn to be at ease under water.
All in all, I had a pretty good time. The scenery was great, the outing relaxing and the rapids great fun. Perhaps even more fun than the crocks we went in at Hazyview.
And here is the “but”. BUT, I must say that I’d rather pick up other sports before taking up kayaking. IMHO, the dangers involved and the practicality of the sport is not worth the amount of fun. The guides/trainers were constantly chatting about hairy stories where people came quite close to death or sustained serious injuries from kayaking. Canoing or proper rowing is a bit more practical and on the safer side, but arguably not as much fun.
Perhaps I should give kayaking a last try by doing a multi-day trip. I’ve seen a documentary on the fathers of kayaking and how they went on trips on the Amazon. It looked spectacular. We’ll see what happens…
Logbook Activity
- Type: Other
- Date: 03/30/2008
- Time: 10:00:00
- Total Time: 3:00:00.00
- Calories: 1000
Filed under: Thoughts, White Water |
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