Re: [Paddlewise] pariniod paddler

Dave Kruger said in a post dated 11/29/00..."I have a related dilemma to
pose": ( regarding paddling successfully with some one not matched to
your style or experience )." does anyone have a regime to help here?"

I am a realist and can cope with most challenges as long as I know the
answer to the following question up front..."How scary can this get?"  I
have no problem bringing this question up, but your friend might.

Years ago a friend took me out on his Hobie catamaran sail boat and
after about a half an hour I was smitten....I expressed my enthusiasm
and dared to ask the "S" question. He knew that I was born with gills so
he quietly flipped the boat and dumped me in the lake. He then treaded
water while instructing me on the correct way to right the boat. Once we
were back on board he said with a grin that THAT was as scary as it got.
* note: I am not advocating the "surprise" method  of instruction for
anyone  (that you intend to remain friends with.)   :O)

But I digress...the thread is... that I delight in introducing friends
who have never been in a kayak to my love of the sport.
I own two sit on tops for just this purpose and before I take a newbie
out I always do the same drill.
I tell them that if they choose to (or have to ) hop off for a swim I
want to show them how easy it is to re-enter.
I show them in water just above my head and on the kayak that they are
going to paddle. I find that taking the time to start the paddle in this
way alerts them to the possibility of an inadvertent dip and makes them
far less fearful of it.

I think that the other post that suggested that you check your friends
comfort with being IN the water may be onto something.

Good luck,
Rob Dee


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