[Paddlewise] Holding Breath

From: Peter Cragg <critters_at_houston.rr.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2002 14:38:48 -0500
Dear Group,

I am diabetic and have to exercise, among other things, to control my blood
sugar.  Three years ago I started kayaking.  Going out on Wednesdays and the
weekend.  Its great exercise.  Started out in a Dagger Callisto but is was too
small.  Switched last winter to a Dagger Cortez.  The other evenings I walk 2-3
miles.

Picked up a Dagger RPM MAX to try white water,  and get a roll.

To help in holding my breath during a roll, I have started practicing holding
my breath while walking.  I walk at a pace to do 3 1/2 miles and hour.   Inhale
a big breath and hold it, and count my steps while walking.  Thirty steps was
my maximum.  Got it up to 50 steps.  Then I figured out that going over in a
kayak was the equivalent of holding my breath on no air (exhale).

So now I breath normally.  After exhaling, I hold my breath.  At first I could
hold my breath for 10-15 steps.  Now I can hold my breath for 20-25 steps.
This has given me the chance to do two to three attempts at a roll.

During this time, (since last April), I had a roll just 30 % of the time.
Now I can hit a on side roll (RPM MAX) every time on flat water.  Going to try
the roll in the Cortez next.

Still working on a bomb proof roll on white water and off side roll.

Safe Paddling

--
Peter Cragg
Scoutmaster
Troop 889

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Received on Fri Aug 30 2002 - 12:59:48 PDT

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