Re: [Paddlewise] Feeling dizzy?

Mark wrote:

<<Add me to the growing list of those who've experienced "kayak 
angst."<<

Me too me too!  Well, not really "angst" - but a sometimes even 
pleasant "altered state" now and then.
 
and he added...

>>As temperatures fall and the ocean grows cooler, it becomes clearer 
too -- fewer little critters floating around.  It was overcast that 
day and the sea was glassy.  As we paddled further from shore, we 
passed the outer edge of the kelp forest.  Peering down into it was 
like looking into a giant aquarium.<<


These are the conditions in which I've experienced some dizziness, 
and I think the clarity of the water had a great deal to do with the 
sensations.  Being able to sense depth so clearly, places the paddler 
in more of a "flying" position than merely as a "surface traveler", 
and I think this contributes to a feeling of vertigo - along with the 
subtle movement of a calm but present swell.  I would never want to 
avoid these conditions though, as it's wonderful to watch all the sea 
life in the clear water, and to enjoy the "flying" feeling.

Though it hasn't happened much in these same conditions, I've also 
experienced some disorientation in thick fog combined with calm seas 
- especially when the sun is bright above the thick surface fog, 
creating a bright "neon" feel to the fog that engulfs me.

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned here, that tends to help me, 
is sound.  If stationary land masses, or definitive breaking wave 
action or chop aren't available for sensory input, there is often 
still some sound to be heard, and points of reference can be gained 
by listening.  Though sound is of course a standard navigational aid, 
I've also found it useful to establish a personal sense of "horizon" 
and/or "surface space" - even if the sounds are moving (ie: birds, 
seals, etc.).  In true sensory deprivation situations, even slapping 
a paddle on the water surface can help to break the "trance".

In the very calm conditions that seem to produce this dizziness (I 
hesitate to call it "angst", as I've never really felt a true angst, 
but instead, rather enjoyed these "altered state" experiences), I've 
sometimes just closed my eyes, and allowed movement and sound to be 
my primary senses for short, or even longer periods.  

Even sometimes in some pretty good chop, if I'm in familiar 
circumstances, just for fun and practice, I'll spend long periods 
with my eyes closed, relying on all my senses besides sight to 
navigate, sense balance, etc.  Well, I think it's fun anyway.

If you're in familiar waters, and you're close enough to land to hear 
foghorns and other familiar sounds, and you know where they're coming 
from, you can create an "acoustic horizon" for yourself.

I guess what I'm saying is that it seems to require a very few, very 
specific circumstances (sources of sensory input and/or lack thereof) 
to create these "altered states" - be it a feeling of vertigo or 
dizziness, or the more severe "angst", and that by using as many 
senses that are available to you, you can expand your awareness 
beyond those few specific "angst contributing factors" to lessen 
their very specific effect.

I should stop now before I begin to confuse myself and fall off my 
chair.

Melissa




***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************