We had scheduled a noon-pool and evening-lake session because of the hot weather. Jim, Stephanie, Mary, and Valerie all wanted to learn rescues and strokes in a sit in kayak.
We started with the wet exit with and without sprayskirt, followed by the paddlefloat rescue. Some folks used the stirrup to get on the backdeck. Then we did the T-rescue – it is not easy to lift the kayak on your lap. You really have to use both hands!
The hand across your lap is on the nose and the other hand is further on the hull or deck of the rescuee’s kayak. Now you can lean on that kayak, and you have enough leverage to make your boat perpendicular to the rescuee’s kayak. Then you can pull the kayak on your lab.
We finished the pool session around 4pm, grabbed a sandwich, and drove to Lake Martin.
We got there around 5 pm and discussed how to prepare yourself for kayak trips. Then we were off to practice strokes, of which the “torso rotation” is an important ingredient, followed by navigation and towing.
We finished the lake session under a beautiful low hanging sun, shining her light on the mighty cypress. It was a great day with great students!
-Maarten B, Instructor
