I often mention to my students that paddling is life-changing. I usually mention this as we're making our way off of the docks for the first time during the first class, and my students nod in skeptical agreement. I know that I'm right, of course, and I always sort of smile to myself knowing that before the next couple of hours are through, they'll know I'm right as well.
This past Saturday was the final session in my most recent Adult Learn To Kayak class. There are six in the group, and four of them had decided to go out in the "trainers," the first level sprint boats. The other two fancied themselves as having no aspirations beyond the rec boats. This is fine with me. Although I strongly encourage my students to go to the very boundaries of their comfort zones and step across, I won't force anyone to do anything that truly frightens them or makes them fear for their safety.
As everyone pushed off, I didn't see any real problems for anyone, except possibly for Gary, who had really long legs. If you're familiar with sprint boats, you know that your balance is compromised if your knees are bent way up into your chest. Knowing that Gary might have a larger challenge than the others, but also knowing that none of the other boats would fit him any better, we set off.
The plan was to paddle around the bend from the boathouse to the venue side, by the finish tower, and up the course. The water was glorious, flat as a pancake, although this did change with the wind once we got around the corner. It probably only took 500 meters for Gary to flip for the first time. Fortunately, we were close to the shore (I coach this as a matter of my survival in this class lol) so we all paddled to the shore and Gary and I did a master class on how you get back into a sprint boat that you've flipped. Before too long, we were off again.
As we paddled toward the tower, we were greeted by an explosion of SUP boards, kayaks, and canoes. It was wonderful, and what I envision for this venue!! In addition to a SUP race, our club was doing a paddle-a-thon to race money for travel and equipment. This meant all of the the athletes and all of the equipment were there at my disposal...bahahaha..
We paddled a kilometer or so up the course before we decided it was time to go back and join the fun. They didn't know it yet, but my number one priority was to get them in the Dusen K-4 with high performance. We got out and put our boats up onto the dock. It was great to see people swarm over to try out our equipment as my guys cycled through third seat in the Dusen. I absolutely LOVE to see the smiles as these folks who before a week ago had never even been in a kayak as they sprint down the course in this wonderful boat!! It makes me happy!! Everyone also got an opportunity to SUP, paddle Dragon Boat, anything they wanted. It was really a good day.
At some point, my students realized they they still had to paddle back to the club. Haha. I think I heard some groans, but as we made our way back to the club, past the beach and the rowing docks, I could hear people talking through their smiles. I knew that as we put up the equipment, people would lament the fact that the class was over, they would ask me how they could join, and I was pretty sure that Gary was completely hooked and would want to join the Masters' program.
I was right.
See you out there!!
TKM
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Life can be a bear sometimes. Balance is key. I think I've got mine back.
WOW.
As I look back over the last 6 to 8 months, I see why I'm carrying a little extra belly fat nowadays. If I didn't believe that whole stress/belly fat thing before, I sure do now!
But, I digress.
The issues I've had recently with my son and his bouts with anxiety and depression have made me look at myself again. Of course I have the same problems! I've come to an understanding that my time on the water is like therapy. I've read that you can control these issues with diet and exercise, and if I made a graph of my stress levels when I'm paddling regularly vs when I'm not, I know the stress factor would be way down.
Lightbulb moment!!
The Adult Learn to Kayak class has started for this season. I love seeing the cross section of society that signs up for the class. The first session there was a young married couple who just wanted to work on their general paddling technique for the coming season. They had no interest in sprint, which is what we generally do, and just wanted to paddle around the lake and look at the wildlife. For me this is awesome. I'm getting paid to paddle around, talk to nice people, and watch birds fish? Yes, please! They were so grateful for my taking them on as students. Haha...they have no idea that they're doing me the favor!
The club has started scheduling the class in 2 3-hour blocks this year. Saturday was the first time I've done 3 hours straight on the water with students. I was a little concerned because three hours can be a long time out there, especially when the sun is high and the bass boats are out in full strength. But it was great! I had 6 students this time around, and they're great. We started out in the rec boats for a couple of km's and then I brought them back for trainer time. The trainers are the basic level sprint boats. Wide across the hull, with a generous cockpit. Generous enough for middle age bodies, lol. Four of my folks tried them, and I think we had one flip. It was great! I think they each plan to paddle them when we take our "long paddle" during the next class.
Once we finished up with the trainers, we got out the SUP boards. This is new for Lanier Canoe and Kayak. I'm glad they've finally gotten involved with this. It really is the wave of the future, and we need to have a SUP club in the building. I've actually started doing this myself. It's fun!! All of my students tried it and loved it. Definitely going to be a little more of that.
You know, as I look back across what I've written, it looks rather disjointed and fragmented. But I think it represents how they past months have been for me. I've learned I'm at my best when I'm on the water, and that I truly am happy and blessed to have the opportunity to introduce others to something which has been life changing for me.
I can't wait to see what the summer brings.
TKM
As I look back over the last 6 to 8 months, I see why I'm carrying a little extra belly fat nowadays. If I didn't believe that whole stress/belly fat thing before, I sure do now!
But, I digress.
The issues I've had recently with my son and his bouts with anxiety and depression have made me look at myself again. Of course I have the same problems! I've come to an understanding that my time on the water is like therapy. I've read that you can control these issues with diet and exercise, and if I made a graph of my stress levels when I'm paddling regularly vs when I'm not, I know the stress factor would be way down.
Lightbulb moment!!
The Adult Learn to Kayak class has started for this season. I love seeing the cross section of society that signs up for the class. The first session there was a young married couple who just wanted to work on their general paddling technique for the coming season. They had no interest in sprint, which is what we generally do, and just wanted to paddle around the lake and look at the wildlife. For me this is awesome. I'm getting paid to paddle around, talk to nice people, and watch birds fish? Yes, please! They were so grateful for my taking them on as students. Haha...they have no idea that they're doing me the favor!
The club has started scheduling the class in 2 3-hour blocks this year. Saturday was the first time I've done 3 hours straight on the water with students. I was a little concerned because three hours can be a long time out there, especially when the sun is high and the bass boats are out in full strength. But it was great! I had 6 students this time around, and they're great. We started out in the rec boats for a couple of km's and then I brought them back for trainer time. The trainers are the basic level sprint boats. Wide across the hull, with a generous cockpit. Generous enough for middle age bodies, lol. Four of my folks tried them, and I think we had one flip. It was great! I think they each plan to paddle them when we take our "long paddle" during the next class.
Once we finished up with the trainers, we got out the SUP boards. This is new for Lanier Canoe and Kayak. I'm glad they've finally gotten involved with this. It really is the wave of the future, and we need to have a SUP club in the building. I've actually started doing this myself. It's fun!! All of my students tried it and loved it. Definitely going to be a little more of that.
You know, as I look back across what I've written, it looks rather disjointed and fragmented. But I think it represents how they past months have been for me. I've learned I'm at my best when I'm on the water, and that I truly am happy and blessed to have the opportunity to introduce others to something which has been life changing for me.
I can't wait to see what the summer brings.
TKM
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)