[Paddlewise] Introducing myself

Hello everyone on paddlewise,





my name's Kevin Dyer an Englishman living (and paddling) in Switzerland where
we have lots of lakes, but no sea. Seems a strange place to get the
sea-kayaking bug, but thats it, I got bit.





Our 2 main paddling spots are lac Léman (Lake Geneva), lac de Neuchâtel and
lac de Joux. All three lakes are oriented NE - SE and have a long enough reach
to generate waves of the short and and steep chop variety. On lake geneva, 2
metre high waves are possible.





My wife, Brigitte and I own and drive a Nautiraid Grand Raid 520 folding kayak
since last summer. The 520 is a double that is converted to a big single in
less than 2 minutes, which, our kids being too young to be left alone, is
mostly the way we use it.


Its a very stable boat that I can stand up in for a quick look around, but I
suspect that as a solo boat you need to be a lot heavier than me, or use
ballast. This, for reasons of wind resistance, the boat riding high in the
water. That said, yesterday I paddled around the lac de Joux, about 23
kilometers in 4 hours. For about a quarter of the trip, I paddled straight
into an east wind blowing 35 - 45 km/hr.  I don't know how this compares to a
rigid 'yak or a single folder.





My kayaking experience is limited to this one boat and a SOT river descent in
France. My wife has done some sea kayaking in Alaska with feathercraft boats.






We have a lot of experience with other outdoor "interesting" sports (for me
interesting means you have to use your head to stay alive) such as
paragliding, rock climbing, high mountain climbing and wilderness trekking.


We apply this experience to kayaking; don't take unnecessary risks, think of
every situation that you may encounter (you never can) and be equipped
accordingly, know how to use your equipment and before leaving, check it three
times; then check it again, you forgot something.





So far it's worked, we're still alive.





That was the introduction. I now intend to lurk on this mailing list,
listening to my betters and generally shut up, until I know what I'm talking
about.








Keep safe,








Kevin D.


















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