Thanks to those who responded with welcomes and encouragement. By the way, I did not mean to imply that I am a helicopter pilot. I haven't flown a helo since Viet Nam, 33 years ago. I just thought of the that learning experience in that first few minutes of fighting for balance in the kayak. I'm actually a retired Sheriff's Captain working in a second career as an Oracle Database Administrator (pays better but is more boring.) Anyway, as I always say, anything worth doing is worth over doing, and any activity that doesn't end in the emergency room is a success. Thanks again, Gary *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 2/19/01 3:34:58 AM, gpalmer_at_snowcrest.net writes: << Paddling the boat reminded me a little of learning to hover a helicopter. In a helicopter, it is like you are balanced on a ball that is floating in the water.>> An interesting analogy. I won't bore you with the specifics but in general, balance in a kayak is about controlling where your center of gravity is relative to the boat's center of buoyancy. << What starts out as a racing mind and large, rapid control movements, eventually becomes imperceptible pressures that are not even thought about. >> That's it. See, you've got it already! << I just hope the learning curve is shorter than the 30 hours or so it takes to develop a decent hover. >> I'm not so sure it's shorter, but the penalty for a catastrophic screw-up is a lot less expensive and might even be fun if the water temp is to your liking. Nice to meet you Gary, welcome! Jed Doctoral Candidate for Sophomoric Studies *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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