Re: [Paddlewise] Third Kayak Lesson: the problems of stability

Josh,
Thanks for posting about learning experiences. As an instructor myself, I
always like to see how others are learning. I have a coule more comments
below.
                         -------------------------------
                         |        Kevin Whilden         |
                         |     kwhilden_at_seanet.com      |
                         |   Kayak Academy Instructor   |
                         | http://www.halcyon.com/kayak |
                         -------------------------------

On Sun, 6 Feb 2000, Joshua Teitelbaum wrote:

> Dear Paddlewise:
> 
> Jacqueline and I had our third kayak lesson on Friday in Hertzeliyyah.  It
> was a three-hour lesson in which we practiced what I believe is called the
> T-Rescue: rescuer takes rescuee's kayak bow-first, and empties it; rescuer
> holds rescuee kayak while rescuee climbs into his/her kakak, between the
> two kayaks.  Our teacher, Omer, does not teach the paddlefloat rescue,
> which I have learned about on Paddlewise.  He believes in kayaking in
> pairs, and learning how to roll.  Apparently this is how they are trained
> in BCU courses.
> 
I encourage you to buy a paddlefloat, perhaps off the web. Get the Mariner
float if you can, since it is the highest quality float available. Do not
settle for a single chamber float, but a rigid foam float is okay. You can
probably make a serviceable float on your own easily enough. The paddle
float rescue has demonstrated its effectiveness time and again, and is
something that you can add to your quiver of rescue techniques easily
enough. No matter how much the BCU recommends for paddling in pairs, there
will come a time when find yourself paddling effectively solo either by
choice or by the result of having too much separation from your partner.

> One of the best things I learned this time was the low brace.  Ever since
> the beginning of the course, I have not felt very stable, and had tipped
> out twice.  However, I have since discovered that consciously slightly
> increasing the pressure on the feet and thigh braces helps a lot in
> achieving stability.  

This is absolutely correct. The goal is to have the legs and hips locked
solidly in the boat from leg pressure and from effective thigh hooks and
hip pads. Snug paddling is absolutely essential to good technique, so
don't settle for a loose fitting boat. Use foam and duct tape to increase
the snugness of fit.

Once you are out on the water, concentrate on rocking your hips back and
forth (or alternatively lifting the knees up and down) while holding your
upper body steady and vertical. essentially you need to bend your torso
while holding your lower body rigid and upper body and head steady. If you
get comfortable with this, then you have learned what I consider to be the
number one most important skill in sea kayaking and whitewater: edge
control.

We are using NDK Romany 18 kayaks, which I understand
> are considered high-performance, unstable, and ones for which knowing how
> to brace well is essential.  Learning this brace was very helpful because I
> could see how it could right the kayak quite well in an emergency
> situation.  The trick is, of course, having this become instinctive.  If
> it's not, it won't work.
> 
To practive the instinctiveness, have someone get behind your boat in
shallow water, and tip your kayak to the side at random. You'll get it
instinctive in short order, provided you then paddle a bunch in rough
water or surf.


> We also practiced more surfing, in about two foot surf.  We learned how to
> ride the wave in, and when the boat turns (broaches?),  to brace on the wave.
> 
> After three lessons, I am realizing that to get confident and go out on my
> own, I will need a LOT more practice.   This is a  bit discouraging because
> I think it will take a long time to be proficient and self-sufficient.  My
> wife, however (ladies, pay attention!) is a lot quicker study than I, and
> seems to be progressing faster.
> 

You shouldn't get discouraged by going sea kayaking for any reason,
whether ostensibly practice or otherwise. :) Also it seems to me that you
already have good judgement of your skills and limitations, which is the
most critical element of safety in sea kayaking.

Cheers,
Kevin

> We have our last lesson next Friday, and I can't wait to see if I can solve
> my "stabilty" problems.
> 
> Josh (in Ra`anana, Israel, where the water temperature is  65 degrees)
> 
> ==============================================================================
> Dr. Joshua Teitelbaum, Research Fellow               Tel: [972] 3-640-6448
> Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and        Fax: [972] 3-641-5802
>   African Studies                                                       
> Tel Aviv University
> Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 69978  Israel
> E-mail:teitelba_at_ccsg.tau.ac.il
> www.dayan.org
> ==============================================================================
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