More practice with the new boat

Sunday 3rd July 2011

3 Generations on the water!

With the weather looking so good, I asked Connor if he fancied a bit more practice in his kayak. I wanted to do a bit of familiarisation with my new kayak, and we asked Terry (Grandad & and Dad) if he wanted to come as well.
After a quick lunch of bacon, egg and beans on toast we set off for Rother valley Country park - just 20 mins from home. W e new it would be busy. There were seemingly endless rows of cars driving back and forth along the shore road, music belting out! Lovely (not).
Arriving at the reception, we met Chrissie from Sheffield canoe club, and discovered that they were having a fun day on the water and bank side, we went and joined them and launched from there.

Amongst all the chaos of BBQ smoke and competing music, the water looked inviting.

Connor and Dad went on first, and were away.

By the time I was on the water (trying not to scratch the boat unnecessarily on the submerged rocks), Connor had done some forward and reverse paddling, and was away.

He seems to have really got a grasp of the feel of what the kayak is doing. Paddling with nice strong strokes, and being very reactive when it starts to go off line.

I think its the tongue that is helping the concentration!

3 Generations. Niether me or Dad have been in the water enough this year, so it was good to get a bit of practice for all of us turning, edging and honing the paddle strokes.

I finally get a picture of me in the new boat, it feels great to paddle, and edges really well. As with the test boat I took to Angelsey, it is initially very tippy, but has amazing secondary stability, I can lean on an edge and change direction very quickly.

I did a text book roll and it was effortless. Very pleased.

Dad had a go and found it - well, tippy! He didn't fall in, and found it changed direction on edge easily.

I had a go in the Wilderness Tsunami, and I can see why Dad loves his boat! It really does inspire confidence. It feels almost as though you could not tip over in this kayak. (although I did a couple of years ago when pushing it a little whilst edging). It is easy turn, has excellant glide and most of all the most amazing comfortable and adjustable seating.

When I'd done, Connor had a go in mine, and then Grandads, he was off down the lake with great speed! We weren't sure he'd turn it and get back to us, but he managed no worries.

In fact he went around a few times! It was easier for him to paddle it in a straight line than in his own short boat, no spinning as soon as you stop paddling.

I hope he sticks with it, but I suspect this is going to turn out expensive over the next few years!

Hugh having a go in my kayak, he paddles a home made kayak he has had for ever, and has done many expeditions and trips all over the world, including Greenland. Oh, and he taught chemistry at my school when I was there! What did you think Mr Pashley? - Better than these big plastic things I've tried recently and the nicest looking boat I've seen in a while!

Time to get Connor in, and changed.

Just one more time please!

After getting Connor onto land and dried off and dressed, I went back out to have a go at rolling again.

This time I wanted to paddle forward, edge the kayak into an extreme turn, and see how far I could go without going over. I was surprised just how far it would go. Over I went, and again, a perfect roll.

I had another go, and rolled up effortlessly - this time going straight over and back in! Its like rolling a Roto-bat in a swimming pool. I rolled up again, and fell straight back over again. Next try, I had lost grip position on the paddle shaft and sliced through the water - almost making it,  I resigned to having another go. I failed again, and decided to have a go at self rescuing.

Trying to climb onto the stern and slide my way up the deck proved impossible! As soon as I got my weight on the kayak, it lifted the Bow out of the water and span around back upside down, there's hardly any volume at the extremities of the kayak.

Someone from the club shouted 'have you got a paddle float?'

well I had so I quicly got it out, inflated one side, and went to slip it over the paddle, where's my paddle?

I had forgotten to secure it to the boat! Must remember that one!

Anyway, I got back in 1st time, and found a little water that would have needed removing at sea, but I could paddle OK.

A good sunnypractice day for all.