The first Tuesday evening paddle of the year and a calm night, exactly what I wanted to try out the Tahe on a journey with the Greenland paddle. I was hoping that I would be able to keep up with everyone in a sustainable way using the GP (stick not doctor). Even with my inefficient novice techniques the boat made this possible, in fact, quite easy.
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| this way... |
Unused to having to think about what to do in wind, I was concentrating hard on counteracting weathercocking even in a gentle breeze. With feet firmly wedged in the tiny hull I realised moving my feet around was a natural reaction to aid direction control - now impossible. Without a good fitting deck I was reluctant to edge too much, extending the paddle was the easiest option. It was a good lesson for the beginning of the coaching season to have to think about it all over again.
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| photo: Peter Fay |
I worked hard at the paddle entering the water without a splash or plop, keeping the angle of the stroke efficient (trying to make that elusive little line of bubbles travel out and away from the boat) and keeping the stroke 'longer, lower and later' than the Euro forward paddling stroke. Rotation was a bit inhibited by the loose deck travelling round the cockpit rim.
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| photo: Johnny Johnston |
As the light failed I realised how black I was and how useful lights would be!
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| paddling and chatting - chaddling? |
A good start. Next - turning in the wind and waves.
One reason that my next boat is going to be screaming yellow. I definitely want to be more visible on the water. Unfortunately, we had a boy nearby who was killed when the kayaks that he and his father were paddling were hit by a motorboat.
ReplyDeleteVisibility is good.
Yes I felt quite vulnerable even though I knew what it would all add up to, so I stuck close to the bright and white boats. This boat is for playing in the sunshine!
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