Wet and Wild Weekend

On Saturday I took a kayaking skills and safety class as part of my preparation for my trip to Antarctica in December. I've been sea kayaking about half a dozen times before, and really enjoyed it, but I've never actually taken a class. And I figured that, although it's unlikely to happen, I don't want to have to learn how to do a wet exit for the first time in the frigid waters of the Antarctic Ocean!

The class was held at Stevens Creek Reservoir, about 15 minutes north of where I live, so that was really convenient. When I signed up a few weeks ago, I was worried about what the weather would be like, but the gods smiled upon us and it was gorgeous and sunny all day. And there were only three of us in the class because it is so late in the season, so we got lots of individual attention.

For those who haven't kayaked in anything other than a sit-on-top model, a sea kayak is different. You sit inside a cockpit with your legs extended in front of you within the shell of the boat. And, in my experience so far, the hardest part comes right at the beginning, as you try to attach the spray skirt. That's an article you wear over your clothes that has an elasticized oval of fabric that you wrap around the cockpit so that water doesn't get in it. You start by hooking the back of the skirt, then pull it up over the rest of the lip surrounding the opening until it's nice and snug. Did I mention that it's elasticized? TIGHTLY elasticized? Let's just say that you need more upper body strength to get that ^%#@% skirt snapped in place then you need for several hours of actual paddling!

Anyway, once we were secure in our craft, the first part of the class was learning the basic paddling techniques for going forward, backwards, and turning. I already knew how to do most of this stuff, but I definitely picked up some pointers that helped a lot. The reservoir was a great place to practice—the water was completely flat and calm.

After about an hour and a half on the water, we took a break on land for lunch so we could build up our energy reserves for the afternoon. You see, that's when we were going to learn how to do a wet exit and then re-enter the boats.

You've probably seen people do kayak rolls before, but that's actually a more advanced skill that can take a while to learn (and much longer to master). Before then, most people need to learn how to exit the boat if you capsize, and then how to get back in again.

We got a demo on land of one of the re-entry techniques, and then tried ourselves before getting back on the water. It was a lot more difficult than the instructor made it look (as usual), but I did manage to squirm my way inside. But the real test was still to come.

Once we got back in the boats and set out to do the skills for real, I got a little nervous about the actual capsizing part. Because, remember, you're physically attached to the kayak by your spray skirt, so when you first go underwater (completely upside down, just to be clear), you're trapped inside the boat. And even though the technique for removing the skirt and pushing out is very simple (there's a loop at the front of the skirt that you pull and you pretty much pop out at that point), it's one thing to know that logically, and another thing to actually do it.

One of the other guys went first and was fine, so I held my breath and tipped over. It was definitely a freaky feeling at first, but I managed to get out of the kayak no problem. But then the boat was right above me and, as I moved to the side, it seemed to move with me. This probably only lasted a couple of seconds, but it seemed longer until I surfaced, my paddle floating beside me. (You're not actually supposed to let it go, but I was a bit more focused on. you know, breathing again... :)

Once I was above water, I set about following the many steps to getting back inside. The water was quite cold, so I was certainly motivated! Anyone who knows me knows that Grace isn't my middle name for a good reason, but I finally managed to scootch my way back into the cockpit and pump the water out. And I tried really hard to reattach my spray skirt, but I have to admit I needed help from the instructor because I'd spent so much energy just getting back in the boat! (I wish I had been able to get a picture of me squirming my way back in, but unfortunately I don't have a waterproof camera. I'll definitely have to look into getting one of those...)

We had one more re-entry technique to learn; it involved using another kayaker for assistance. The wet exit went a little more smoothly that time, and I found this re-entry technique a bit easier than the solo one.

After that, we learned a couple of bracing techniques, which you use to try to prevent yourself from going over in the first place, and then we headed back in for the day. I can't say I came out of the class feeling like an expert or anything, but I do have more confidence that if something were to happen on my trip, I'll be able to handle the situation.

I must have been doing something right, anyway, because today I'm pretty much aching all over and covered with bruises in a variety of shapes and sizes. I'll just have to add those to my list of badges of honour! :)

Comments

[Gillian]

Hey Elizabeth, GREAT BLOG.

Sounds like you're having fun!

G