Wildman
Free Member
AS Watersports trip
by wildman » Tue Jul 30, 2013 3:39 pm
Sue and I set off for Exeter in the motorhome on saturday evening and parked outside of the warehouse, afew hundred yards from the shop.
The 3 hour kayak course started on sunday morning. We were greeted by Liam their BCA instructor.
After a brief description of what lay ahead he got us all kitted out (eight of us) in wetsuits, cag and PDF. Those that had them wore their own.
A brief introduction foorom each of us and he allocated the yaks to be used. I was lucky enough to be given a brand new, never been wet Prowler Ultra 4.1 and Sue a Perception Triumph which is almost identical to the one she has just got (Perception Freedom).
Off we went for a quiet paddle down the canal and along the river Exe
After accessing all of our imeadiate faults Liam offered advice on correcting them, he then told us all to sit side saddle and try to gauge the tipping point both left and right. now having done this several times in the Scrambler 11 in shallow water I was rather overconfident and managed to tip it. The water was really warm, I wish I had stayed there. As we had not yet got to the self rescue bit Liam performed an assisted rescue. By the time I eventually got back on I realised a number of things but more of those at the end.
we went on to practice turning in our own length.
Using balance to steer and power turns before returning to yak righting and self rescue. all of the eight people there were in their late 50's/early sixties and at least three of us very overweight.
He paired us off, I was then that I realised I did not have the strength to haul myself aboard again let alone help Sue on board. So Liam took my place and Sue managed to get back on as did everyone else, though no one managed it unassisted. We then went for a paddle along the river EXe and back to the canal, I was surprised to find my arms and shoulders coped with paddling that long. Everyone had a great time and all learned something new, even if it was only the recommendation to fill the yak with extra bouyancy if using it at sea. Old pop bottle are free and work well fitting in all of the small places. It is the best value for £35 I have seen for a very long time. The shop is excellent though you could spend a small fortune there.
Conclusions, I am NOT confident in or on the water, I don't have a cats chance in hell of rescuing myself if more than 100 yards or so from land. I need to lose another two stone and build some upper body strength. So for the time being I'll be fishing from the shore and paddling in the estuary until my balance and strength problems are sorted. I am so disappointed but there have been a few wake up calls of late and I'm not getting any younger, (66 year old git)
Leaving Exeter a tremendous migraine started that continued until this morning, plus my stomach decided I had wrenched it about too much, once I got home the dizzy spells started, (they are caused by a restriction in my spine, uncomfortable, almost like being drunk I guess).
Had I not just bought two yaks, GPS, Radio Fishfinder etc I would probably have given up. But I'll persevere for now.
by wildman » Tue Jul 30, 2013 3:39 pm Sue and I set off for Exeter in the motorhome on saturday evening and parked outside of the warehouse, afew hundred yards from the shop.
The 3 hour kayak course started on sunday morning. We were greeted by Liam their BCA instructor.
After a brief description of what lay ahead he got us all kitted out (eight of us) in wetsuits, cag and PDF. Those that had them wore their own.
A brief introduction foorom each of us and he allocated the yaks to be used. I was lucky enough to be given a brand new, never been wet Prowler Ultra 4.1 and Sue a Perception Triumph which is almost identical to the one she has just got (Perception Freedom).
Off we went for a quiet paddle down the canal and along the river Exe
After accessing all of our imeadiate faults Liam offered advice on correcting them, he then told us all to sit side saddle and try to gauge the tipping point both left and right. now having done this several times in the Scrambler 11 in shallow water I was rather overconfident and managed to tip it. The water was really warm, I wish I had stayed there. As we had not yet got to the self rescue bit Liam performed an assisted rescue. By the time I eventually got back on I realised a number of things but more of those at the end.
we went on to practice turning in our own length.
Using balance to steer and power turns before returning to yak righting and self rescue. all of the eight people there were in their late 50's/early sixties and at least three of us very overweight.
He paired us off, I was then that I realised I did not have the strength to haul myself aboard again let alone help Sue on board. So Liam took my place and Sue managed to get back on as did everyone else, though no one managed it unassisted. We then went for a paddle along the river EXe and back to the canal, I was surprised to find my arms and shoulders coped with paddling that long. Everyone had a great time and all learned something new, even if it was only the recommendation to fill the yak with extra bouyancy if using it at sea. Old pop bottle are free and work well fitting in all of the small places. It is the best value for £35 I have seen for a very long time. The shop is excellent though you could spend a small fortune there.
Conclusions, I am NOT confident in or on the water, I don't have a cats chance in hell of rescuing myself if more than 100 yards or so from land. I need to lose another two stone and build some upper body strength. So for the time being I'll be fishing from the shore and paddling in the estuary until my balance and strength problems are sorted. I am so disappointed but there have been a few wake up calls of late and I'm not getting any younger, (66 year old git)
Leaving Exeter a tremendous migraine started that continued until this morning, plus my stomach decided I had wrenched it about too much, once I got home the dizzy spells started, (they are caused by a restriction in my spine, uncomfortable, almost like being drunk I guess).
Had I not just bought two yaks, GPS, Radio Fishfinder etc I would probably have given up. But I'll persevere for now.
You're 'avin' a giraffe Jim. 