A gentle start

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.

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.

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.

photo: Johnny Johnston

As the light failed I realised how black I was and how useful lights would be!

paddling and chatting - chaddling?

A good start. Next - turning in the wind and waves.

Easter weekend

Time to get the Tahe outside while opportunity, boat wrangling services and weather window coincide. Feels faster than the Isel with the GP and absolutely solid on edge. I had to remember all about weathercocking - not an issue with the Isel.

 Boy it was cold though.

After a couple of rolls a hood was a necessary addition.

Now you see me..

Now I'm just another seaweed covered rock.

Looking forward to a journey soon and, when the sea temp rises a little, applying the rolls in conditions.

Count down to Kayak Ways

This weekend was the first time I got in the Tahe G with the tuilik and it all started to fall into place. Perhaps the freedom of movement, or the fact that Thorfinn was mentoring, but it felt great.

Nice fit!

I am keen to get the basics well polished before seeing Cheri and Turner in May so as to make the best use possible of the time with them. I have been polishing the forward finishing rolls they taught me at the last session in Skye in May 2011. I think I am due for an update and a bit of feedback!
(Also probably about time for a HD GoPro).

If you aren't going to get to a workshop with Kayak Ways anytime soon, their DVD will be out in April. Produced by Justine Curgenven, This is The Roll, is all about the principles of rolling, with sticks or Euro paddles, taught by the experts!

tuilik home

Unpacked and lying, perhaps not unsurprisingly, like the skin of a vaguely familar marine mammal, my tuilik is back home after a flying visit back to Canada for alterations to make it fit the Tahe G. I wish I could visit so quickly and easily. A fast and efficient service from Brooks.  I am looking forward to uniting it with the boat and having the freedom to roll without a deck. It's always more condusive to paddling outside in the cold too, though, when I say paddling, of course, I mean rolling.

welcome return of the travelling tuilik

The Dark Side

I watch as Hairyaker tries out the Tahe, (spookily like Eichi Ito's animated paddler). For a brief moment trying out the boat involves a tiny bit of discussion on forward finish rolls, and suddenly, I'm coaching Greenland style rolling!

But maybe not for the last time...

as we know, the dark side can be addictive!