[k_9]

I was just wondering because I took my first star Kayak training course last weekend (well, finished it yesterday) and I was just going to ask whether anyone else did any water sports?

For the first star training I was assessed and graded on skills that I'd already picked up and taught new, more advanced ones despite it only being the first step. There are 5 stages (stars) which obviously increases with difficulty and strength as they get higher. 2 and 3 are my goals atm, two weekends involves, one training or rather practicing on the lake for the next weekend on the river 2*, and then for 3* an expedition down the River Thames/ Severn through England.

I was taught many different techniques but these are only some:
Sweep stroke- 180 degree fast turn in one stroke
Double sweep stroke- full 360 turn with only 2 strokes which was SO fun cause you just spin round and round and round...
Shaft runner- Guiding the boat in a straight line against the current or assisting with a turn
Edging- tilting the boat to 90degrees on the water but keeping your body upright so that the boat lets water in (yes, it's a lot harder than it sounds)
Of course if you can't keep the balance then you capsise or use a move called the "point of no return" ooh lol where you make a quick J shaped flicking movement with your wrist to balance out the boat... unless you fall the opposite side once you've pushed back up and balanced LOL

One rule of kayaking: Expect to have done to you what you do to others

Ahem, there were 2 instructors (Scott and Brian) who were very amusing and sarcastic so I got along well with them. We played a few games which made us use the techniques we'd been taught in practice. They had something planned... Scott was purposely bashing the side of my kayak whilst Brian was taunting from the side going "That's very BRAVE Rach." This was because earlier, I'd soaked Scott while he was blocking me on one of the games, so when I grabbed the back of his kayak he had one of those "revenge" looks in his eyes and grinned

Quick, yet violent spin of his boat sent mine flying through the air while he waited for me to surface from the water, laugh and tell me that my boat needed emptying...

I think that's quite an amusing story to leave it on LOL because it was SO fun

If anyone here does do kayaking or would like to take it up as a hobby, I'd advise playing games to begin where you can experience the most fun part... capsizing

[jephree]

Sounds like fun.

I have a kayak in a bag next to my bed.

It's like a life boat for when the sea rises but I also use it for fun.

It is inflatable.



Not much white water round these parts but it is a fun way to explore the area. I try to keep it right side up.

Key West kayaking at Lazy Dog Island Outfitters & Outdoor Adventure Company - Guided kayak and snorkel tour, kayak fishing, kayak rentals and sales

[jephree]

Arctic Ice Got Smaller, Thinner, Younger This Winter

[k_9]

Haha, it's in a bag?! Get it out and use it dude! With the money that they cost, the amount of places you can go in the despite not having white waters, they're always useful. Heh, you can get your abs up to scratch for free... maybe install a waterproof monitor on it if you must