RE: [Paddlewise] Who we are

Hi everyone,


I'm 53 and a "Petroleum Landman" by profession.  I took my first Kayak
lesson in November of 98.  Took my first paddle several years earlier,
1991, I believe, in Bar Harbour, Ma. that was a tandom with a rudder.  I
knew nothing about the sport, "but it looked pretty cool."  I have had lots
of coastal experience in motor boats and sail.  I started going out boating
with my Dad when I was about 8 years old.  I started SCUBA back in 1966 and
have kept that sport up as well:  NAUI & PADI Instructor certifications;
IANTD Deep Diver, Advanced Nitrox.  I've done scientific diving, deep
(decompression) diving and mixed gas.  I used to do a lot of flying:
Commercial Multi-&-Single Engine Land, CFI, CFII; and former Air Taxi Part
135 pilot.  I learned a bit about Navigation and weather during my 2000
hours PIC experience.  Some mountain experience, mostly gulf coast and and
some caribbean flight experience.  I did enough mountain biking to loose
some sensory nerves in my left (dominant) hand.  It's been a couple of
years since I've biked, and the feeling hasn't come back.  When the feeling
left, I quit the sport, trying to protect what sensation I have left.
Actually it's "just the little finger" but, I liked that one too.

Guess I've done about everything BUT paddle.  But, Back to paddling:

Back in November of 1998, I was a runner, and while training for a
marathon, I injured my knee.  Paddeling seemed to be a way to keep up some
aerobic fitness, so, I walked into a local paddle shop and the story
begins.  I walked out of the kayak store with a handful of books and
videos.  The next weekend, I signed up for my first Kayak lesson...which
was in a closed deck Dagger.  As the lessons began, I was practicing the
strokes the instructor was reviewing, adding the J-lean I had seen
demonstrated in the video, when that backsweep "bit me."  Plunk!  It was
sudden, unexpected, and cold.  Now, upside down in the cold but calm lake
water, I experienced my first wet exit.  I came up and the instructor
talked me back into the boat.  I announced to her that "Gee.  I got to
practice rescues."  She (Cathy of Southwest Paddle Sports) graciously
corrected me:  "No.  You were practicing wet exits...I got to practice the
rescues."    The water, not being too cold in Texas that time of the year
was bearable, and even though I was dressed in Cotton, I managed to dry off
enough to finish the lessons and paddle around without getting too chilled.

I took a local "ACA Coastal Kayaker Course" from David Trail, of Trail
Expeditions, and later that spring, my wife and I visited Seattle to take
Gronseth's 5 day course, as well as his surf course.

(After about a 30-to-45 minute lesson, George taught me to roll.  I'm still
working on the roll, but I'm getting pretty consistent with it; in fact, I
haven't had to make a wet exit since George taught me the secret; both
onside and offside.  I've got about 530 rolls so far, split rather evenly
between on-side and off-side...a real milestone for me, which I am rather
proud of.).

This spring, I'm headed back to Gronseth's "Kayak Academy"  to take the 3
day Crossover with Kevin W., and the Tidal Rapids Course with George
Gronseth.  Later this summer, I'm headed out to Alaska with Gronseth for
his course on outer-coastal passages, in Sitka.  (I plan on having 1000
practice rolls before this trip... if the shoulders hold out!)

My wife (Debi) and I both paddle an Eddyline Falcon 18 and we primarily
paddle the Texas Gulf Coast.  I live in Houston, so Galveston Bay and the
beach are about 45 minutes from home.  August, incidentally, was hell.
Paddling is very nice this time of year.  YES!  It's COOL...and there are
more birds...YES!

PS.  The knee seems to be "coming back" after surgury this last August and
I've started running again.  ...only three miles this time, but I'm running!

PPS:  No Marathons in my future!  ...unless I paddle 'em.

Robert




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