Brittany Kayaking

This is really cool! It shows capsizes, rescues, a failed roll or two ... I can relate to that!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGvoLrADm_s

Enjoy!

Frozen Out

Winter is here. For the next six days it will be minus double digits Celsius.
The lakes were frozen days ago and this cold spell will freeze the rivers as well.

Still it was a good first kayak season for me.
I was able to average 10 times on the water per month. My last time on the lake was November 17. Life has been good and busy as usual.
I achieved my goal ... I successfully rolled the kayak ... twice!
My research enabled me to find a practice routine that works. The routine is the paddle float technique. It requires attaching the paddle float to the paddle and practicing the "hip flip". Paying special attention to not raise the head while executing the move.

So now I will concentrate on a camping trip or two over the winter. If I can do two trips I will be happy. Of course, Frontenac Provincial Park is  must. Maybe Mew Lake at Algonquin Park. Mew Lake is car camping or yurt camping. Frontenac is hiking in ... no car camping unless you walk at least a mile and a half back to the car.
My winter camping at Kingsford Lake taught me well: after dark, stay put.
Of course if there is a group of you, that makes a difference. The problem is finding people with the desire, experience and equipment to camp in sub zero weather. I think I will try out the winter sleeping bag in the car first, this week. In the parking lot.
It is going to be minus 18 or thereabouts for the next week or so. A good time to check it out.

The thing about Frontenac is that both times I camped there in the winter, the park belonged to me and the coyotes and the Canada Goose. I was the only human in the 14,000 acre piece of heaven.
To be precise, at the time I had a wonderful girlfriend so I wasn't entirely alone.

 The similarity between camping by yourself and kayaking is this: Risk Management & Planning.

My three night kayak camping trip to Doe Lake this past summer was the first time I had ever camped alone. It was the first time  I had kayaked alone as well, because it was only the second time in my life I had kayaked. On the way home from Doe Lake I had a three hour kayaking adventure on Devils Lake.

Solo kayaking, from a safety standpoint is not ideal but it takes time to find and establish a kayak community. It takes time to get involved.
I accomplished  some important skills in four months. Especially the rescues. That was the bulk of my time on the water. Even though it was solo, it was very productive as far as self rescue is concerned.

I gained experience. The most valuable lesson I learned on my kayak camping trip is this: things will go wrong. Events will occur that will demand good judgement. There will be significant challenges.

I loved every second of it.

So kayaking is on hold until the thaw. Hopefully I will establish some contacts.

Ice On The Water

The cold weather has arrived!

Last night's low was -22, and the night before -26. Celsius that is.
So yes. At those low temperature's the lake freezes.
I am hoping for a warm spell soon. If these temperatures continue the ice will be too thick for a warm spell to thaw.

Lake Ontario is still open. It is one matter to solo on the Rideau Lakes. It is an entirely different proposition to solo on the big water of Lake Ontario.

Sea Kayaking by John Dowd is still going to take a little longer to arrive.

No news on the men missing in the Bay of Quinte.

Off to London at the end of the week for a holiday visit with my babies.

Another Video By Roald & Atle

Here's another "rock gardening" video from the Norway boys!

click Here

Enjoy!

Marine Museum of the Great Lakes

This past Friday, November 22nd I paid a visit to the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes.

click here

You probably already know if you would like it here. I knew I would like it too ... but I enjoyed it very much once I got there and saw some of the exhibits!

I didn't visit for as long as I should have, but this was a reconnaissance trip to check it out.
It is very much on the list of things to do for next season. After this week visits are by appointment only.

It is very cold these past few days. It will mild up for a day or two, but then it will cool off a bit.
Still I am feeling rather adventurous and I would like to get my 40th water event under my hull! Lol!

Off for  walk.

Enjoy the day!

This Is Not The Pond I Paddle In!

This is a little different from what I do ...

Actually it's a lot different from what I do!!!

click Here

Wow!

Kayak Dreams-Kayak Thoughts

The sky is clear and the sun is slowly rising.
It is -5C, feels like -9C here in Perth in eastern Ontario.
The flags are moving very little if at all.

I think I'll go for a paddle. I am well rested. I will eat appropriately.
I will think of my paddle plan.

The Bay of Quinte is beautiful. Belleville, Ontario is an incredibly beautiful place because of it.
I would love to paddle the Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario in this area ... Prince Edward County.

Two men went out onto the Bay the day before last and failed to return as planned before 2200 that night.
SAR at nearby 8 Wing, CFB Trenton searched through out the night after being notified by the float plan contact.
The search is now being conducted by the OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) detachment in that area.

The men went out in an aluminum boat. I have been listening to the CBC Ottawa this morning but no mention of this situation.

As a sole paddler risk management is always a concern.
As a sole paddler I abide by survival principles and ... there are some I don't abide by.

For the principles I adhere to I commend myself.
For the one's I don't adhere to I excuse my behaviour, to my detriment, no doubt.

So this news story about these two has struck a nerve. The angel on my right shoulder is quietly being heard loud and clear over the din from the devil on my other shoulder.

There is a very important lesson in this story for me and I need to hear it.

I need to listen. And to think. And do the right thing.

I so badly want these guys to be okay.
It could happen to me.

To Gallaghers Point And Back

It was a very good paddle. Rainy with a bit of wind, but very mild ... 11C. This first image shows the trees on Hog Island. This is the Lower Rideau Lake still.

The next image shows the bridge at Rideau Ferry. Once I cross under the bridge I will be into Big Rideau Lake. There are three "Rideau" lakes ... the Lower, the Big, and the Upper. The Upper is at the highest elevation. The Lower and the Big are at a lower elevation than the Upper. The Big is called that because area wise it is the largest. 

 

The next image shows some of the islands in the Big Rideau. It is raining and slightly windy.

This one is a shot of the stern of the kayak showing the extra paddle and removable deck light.

All these photos are taken with the waterproof GoPro Hero 3. This underwater image shows the surface of the water, the hull of the kayak and the rocky bottom of the lake.

Here I am parked for a snack/break.

 

Finally, heading back towards Rideau Ferry, the Lower Rideau where I put in and take out.

 

Thirty Nine & Still Dreaming

The title of this post refers to my 39th time on the water since July 14, 2013, when my kayaking career started.

The "Dreaming" part of this post title refers to those moments when I stop in the lake and just relax ... just listen ... just be.
That dreamy state is one of the feelings that shows me how good being on the water is for my head, heart and soul!

Since my last post I have been on the water 3 more times ... on the 11th, 12th and 17th of November.

The weather is even more important on the water at this time of the year.
November 12 was the first time I paddled in freezing and snow conditions. It was snowing, the temperature was below freezing and there were wind gusts which caused the wind chill to plummet.

The ice is visible on the equipment on the above images. The equipment still performed as intended, however ... after getting off the water the paddle would not separate because the joint was frozen.

As far as the effectiveness of my thermal protection is concerned, it all worked well. My nose and cheeks and mouth did get cold in the wind.
The 5mm neoprene mitts were a lifesaver for the hands.
The hands have to be able to work. Survival depends on it.

Fortunately there were no capsizes, although I am confident that I could have self rescued should one have occurred.
The dry suit performed over and above as usual.

My most recent paddle was on the 17th. A more than 3 hour trip to Gallagher's Point and back on the Big Rideau Lake.

 

The 11C degree temperature was a gift. It was rainy and windy, but not excessive. The night of the 17th the big winds that caused havoc in Illinois came through here. By the time they arrived here they had diminished to about 50-70 km/hour winds. There were power outages across southern Ontario and Quebec.

 

To Port Elmsley & Back

My most recent kayak adventure occurred this past November 7.

It was a paddle across the north west side of Lower Rideau Lake, past Beveridges Bay and on towards the Tay River.

It was a well planned trip. The spherical compass has made all the difference. I plotted a course on the chart to Stonehouse Island my first reference point. Once past the island I tracked to the port and consulted the chart to avoid shoals and shallows.

Here is one short video from the trip. 

 

This is taken about 15 minutes into the 2 hour journey. I am using a GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition. Handheld at this point still to install a bracket to the deck of the boat then I won't have to hold the camera.

 

It was a good paddle. No rolling or rescues on this trip. The water is cold on my head and my hands. The thermal gear keeps the rest of me dry and warm, definitely a needed investment.

 

Chao for now!

 

 

Kayak Submarine

If this guy isn't rich yet, he soon will be. Maybe.

The CIA and every other dirty trickster will be all over this.

Check it out here:

Pretty cool, huh?

The Trusty Kayak

So this past Friday, October the 25th, I was able to get onto and into Lower Rideau Lake.

I did my usual pre water checks. I inspected the hull and the inside of the boat. Then I walked into the lake and submerged a few times to ensure the integrity of the dry suit.
The water is cold enough to cause paralysis with in a  few seconds, or perhaps minutes, at the most.

Click here to go to a good cold water immersion info site. 

In and on the water by 1300/1 pm and out by 1500/3 pm.
An hour and a half of capsizing practicing rolls, paddle float rolls and rescues and meditation on the back kayak deck. Then a half hour to paddle the somewhat usual 8 mile circuit: boat launch to Hog Island, Rideau Ferry, Nauds Point and back to the boat launch.
Truly a wonderful adventure on and in the water.
The practice is paying off, slowly but surely.

The water was flat like a shiny plate of glass. Very unusual for that time of day.

The only other craft that appeared that day was a cruiser on it's way to Poonamalie. In the distance.

So why did I title this post the "Trusty" kayak.

I trust the kayak because I checked it out before I got a mile off shore. I also tested my thermal protection, the dry suit, as well.
My checklist is short for this type of water play. Clearly the checklist has to be appropriate the planned water event.
For two hours of what is essentially safety practice followed by a short paddle the list is not long.

So yeah, I had a bunch of fun and ... the money machine as been shut down for the season, so I no longer have to pay $6.00 to use the launch. Yippee!

Yeah Baby!!!

It was another beautiful day yesterday. I spent part of the afternoon/evening on the Lower Rideau Lake.

A profitable one and a half hours of practice followed by a paddle over to Nauds Point, Millar Bay and Rideau Ferry/Hog Island and back. A distance of just under 8 miles.

The fun stuff included paddle float rolls, ladders, scrambles, and the head in the capsized cockpit, breathing the trapped air.
The standard procedure now is to sit on the back deck while pumping the water out of the cockpit. The back deck is where I meditate. I am able to sit cross legged back there now.
Another fun technique is to do the ladder recovery with the bow pointed into the waves. While I am slithering up the back of the kayak the water turns the kayak 180 degrees to face downwind.

The dry suit is working very well. It is a amazing to me to be able to play for well over an hour or two in water that would otherwise be out of limits to me.

I have started to study marine navigation. At this point I am using the compass on the charts but already have a spherical compass to attach to the kayak deck. 

Thirty three times on the water since July 14, 2013.

So why? What does it accomplish? What is the point?

Fun, learning & exercise! It is beautiful out there. We are very lucky to be able to enjoy the immensity and grandeur of our natural Canada.

We are so fortunate.
I don't know who or what to thank ... but I am grateful.
Thanks.

Wonderful Wind & Water

Another couple of hours on the lake with the wind and water ... and a bit of rain. Who cares? The weather is cozy inside the dry suit.

Another successful roll and some very nearly successful rolls.
The process is to practice the hip flick with the float on the paddle first for about ten minutes. Once again the first attempt was successful after the paddle float practice.

98 more to go then I can start learning some other rolls.

The waves were substantial as was the wind. This made sitting on the back deck more fun.
I also pointed the bow into the wind when doing the ladder rescue and the waves turn me 180 degrees while I am sliding up the back deck.

Also did a couple of cowboy scrambles.

The other new technique was going under the capsized cockpit and breathing the air trapped in there.

I also have started capsizing while moving.

Roll Baby Roll!

Since August 18 I have been trying to roll the kayak.

I did it today!

Today I practiced performing the hip flick.
And that is the secret ... the shortcut ... the magic.
Don't practice rolling the kayak ... practice doing a somewhat decent hip flick.
And that is how I rolled the kayak.
Now doing a first roll in less than 60 days after the first attempt is not bad ... actually that is pretty good.
But concentrating on doing the hip flick would have made it happen sooner.

So now, I need to do a hundred rolls. Then they'll be good every time.

I also wore the drysuit for the first time today.
It takes rolling practice to a whole new level to be dry and warm while on the lake.

The drysuit is the Kokatat GMER.

It cost me just over a thousand dollars including tax. Dry & warm is worth a thousand dollars in itself.
This suit though has just increased my paddling season from 3-4 months to 7-8 months.
It effectively increases the value of the money I spent this year on kayaking equipment and courses.

I am pleased that the first time I wore the suit was also the first time I rolled the kayak, somewhere around my 52nd or 58th try!

And therein lies the paradox of learning to roll the kayak:
By the time one finally rolls it, one has perfected a number of alternate self-rescue's.

The water temperature was 15C/59F and not one bit of a cramp.

Another wonderful time on the water.

Kayak Update

So here is an update to my Kayak Dreams. Since my last post on September 15, I have put in another 9 hours on the water and under the water.

Without bragging, ladder exits are very effective and cowboy scrambles are good. I haven't practiced any paddle float exits so that needs to be done soon.
Clearly ladder exits are my favourite because they are fast and they don't require a lot of physical work.
These last 15 days I have started sitting on the back deck, no hands!
My recent attempts at standing in the cockpit have indicated that I am not ready to invest large amounts of time in learning that trick.

To be sure, all attempts at new techniques are a learning process ... and we love learning so it is justified.

The rolls are coming along slowly.
I read a number of kayaking blogs by kayakers who have a good or great roll or, 2 or 3 or 4 different kinds of good rolls.They nearly all took a number of months to get an occasional roll.

As far as the Paddle Canada course description is concerned, a successful roll, 3 out of 4 attempts ... is not covered until Kayak Skills Level 2. That qualification for most people is in the 3rd year of kayak skills training.

It all depends on where you want to paddle. For Lake Superior, the St. Lawrence River and oceans, a good roll in adverse seas is a must. For paddling alone a roll is a must. Most of my paddling has been alone but nearly 60-75% of my time on the water is practicing rolling and self extraction.

If you never use a sprayskirt, and do not intend to paddle unless it is summertime and the water is 75F/24C degrees, and you paddle with others, and you can swim to shore a distance of 150 feet ... then as long as you have a roster of roll-less self extraction methods, (ladder, cowboy, float), then you can probably still survive and live to tell about it after capsizing unexpectedly.

I need a roll. So I will practice/get instruction until I succeed.
I am considering joining a kayak club next year to get some additional experience and contacts also.

A drysuit will be required soon, the water is already starting to cool off from the cold rains.

I recently located the charger for the Nikon D50, so I will plan on taking it in the kayak too. I am still trying to locate the charger for the waterproof camera.
A GoPro Hero 3+ is in the offing ... 60-90 days I expect. They are surprisingly affordable even with the additional appliances required for water/underwater video/photo.

Yesterday I purchased an extra paddle and hip pads for the boat.
I was very unsafe and foolish to be paddling without an extra paddle for these last 50 hours on the water. Granted, I was mostly doing rescues in familiar waters. Paddling is not walking or running. It is a water environment and risks are to be minimised and safety maximized. Enough said.

To London this week for a few days ... no boating there, no time.

Take care of yourself so that you can help those that matter to you.

The Water Is My Friend

The lake is a lot quieter these days. Of course the serious fishers are still there, but their numbers are low.

So on the days that I do go out for an hour or two for practice, I usually am the only one. No need to worry about rental doo's.
Anybody on the lake these days is familiar with water.

The water is my friend. I am starting to get comfortable, upside down, under water, strapped into a kayak. I am able to concentrate on the job at hand down there now.

Here is a short video from my first trip in the kayak back on August 11:

It was a very nice day with a bit of a wind that built some small waves on the water. It was very invigorating to get the splash and spray while cutting through the waves. Of course the return trip was a lot quieter while being pushed and blown in a following sea. Still for a novice like me, any time on the water is worthwhile. 

.

Ladder Self Rescue

This is a good example of this type of rescue.

Key points are to get as much of your chest on to the stern point when initially mounting the kayak.

Second point is very important: Keep your legs as far apart as practicable.
The legs are the outriggers or floats that maintain balance.

Thirdly, keep your torso low; this keeps your centre of gravity low.

And lastly ... enjoy the ride!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCC-oX-OsWg

This rescue is fast and simple compared to the Paddle Float Rescue. The ladder is my preferred recovery while practicing kayak rolls.

More Roll Practice

The weather is supposed to be sunny with occasional cloud cover but no rain. The boat activity on the lake should be somewhat less now that the long weekend is over.

Yesterday's efforts were worthwhile learning. The first 7 rolls were without the diving mask which I had forgotten in the car. That was just as well for the practice. Yesterday's evening practice I did have the mask.
Today I will wear my contact lenses and use the mask, so hopefully my being able to see will help me when keeping my sight on the active paddle.

I have 3 days off now so I have time to establish a roll and practice it.
Having a good ladder self rescue is a real energy & time saver. It makes the practicing much more convenient.

I am not concerned that I have made 12 roll attempts and still need to be successful.  I have been a late bloomer and I welcome it. Hopefully the time spent learning will pay off in good performance.
I will persist. I only started kayaking last July 14. It has been less than 60 days and I recognise the accomplishments so far.
The Paddle Canada certification process is based on learning and experience ... practicing what you learn. So that is the concept that I am paying attention to.

It is a simple process: practice until the goal is met ... and then never stop practicing.
Self rescue's and their practice is a part of kayaking life.

So the plan for today is:
adjust the thigh braces
get in the set up position underwater
move the paddle and my body into position
"catch" the water and hip flip
keep my eyes on the active paddle blade, while
leaning back

It may not happen on the next try but that is not important. It is vital to learn and execute the steps.

When I am good enough I will do it.

I am becoming comfortable underwater, upside down, in a kayak.

Good luck to you today working on your projects!

Practice, Practice, Practice!

So the total for today was 12 roll attempts. I am accomplishing 4 out of the 5 steps. On my 12th attempt I performed all 5 steps and it should have been a successful roll except that the spray skirt is dislodging. It is difficult to hip snap a kayak onto the surface with the cockpit flooded with water.

I will adjust the right thigh brace on the boat. I will also try to be a tad more gentle. I have had a tendency to "over" hip snap in the past. The result being that I roll past upright and submerge on the other side.
That being said, now I have enough practice to practice well, to practice effectively. Rolling practice is dependant on boat activity on the lake. Few boats, lots of practice. A lot of boats, very little or no practice. I prefer less than great weather because then the boaters stay away in droves.

So my focus will be to: keep my eye on the active paddle.
Hip snap slightly gentle, only after feeling the "catch". Concentrate on good position.
If I adjust the thigh brace and pay attention to the timing of the execution I should have more success.
Learning to roll the kayak reminds me of learning to ride a bicycle.
"Getting it" was elusive initially, but once I "got it" then I "got it".

After all is said and done, I am enjoying it immensely, and I now have 12 correct ladder rescues under my belt.

Here we are at the Rideau Ferry Yacht Club Conservation Area on the Lower Rideau Lake.

 

One thing that I have got in the habit of doing before each roll attempt is to measure the depth of the water with the paddle. The 230 cm length of the paddle is equivalent to just under 7' 6".

It is easy to become complacent when concentrating on doing the task at hand. I am glad that I am paying attention. 

Kayak Dreams Two

My kayaking career continues to paddle forward.

Since I started with the July 14 Flatwater Kayak course I have spent about 30 hours on the waves.
July 23, 24 & 25, I had the rental P & H Cetus MV 177 to learn in.
I repeated the Flatwater Kayak course on July 28 in order to gain more practice time.

Last Sunday and Monday I paddled two new lakes: Big Salmon Lake at Frontenac Provincial Park and on Monday it was Upper Rideau Lake ... Narrows Lock to Westport and back, round the lake.
This evening was a relaxing hour long jaunt on Lower Rideau Lake at Rideau Ferry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are pictures of my first boat! It is a used 2012 Wilderness Systems Tsunami 145. I really like it. This is the same model that I use in both kayak courses. It was also the model I rented last week.

 

Needless to say ... I am very happy!

Kayak Dreams 1

So this week coming up I'll be on holidays! I'll be off to Frontenac Provincial Park for a 4 night kayak trip! Then on Sunday it is back to Frontenac Outfitters to take the Paddle Canada Flatwater Kayak Paddle course. This is the course I took a week ago. I think it will be a good follow up and re-cap of the trip I will be venturing on this week. This weeks trip may give me some questions to ask the "pros".

The weather is supposed to be mostly good.

Two years ago I took a 5 hour Kayak Familiarisation course there. I also did a 3 night canoe/camping trip in June of '11 at Frontenac. This will be my fourth time overnight camping there and my second paddling trip.
This week will the will be the start to fulfill the prerequisite for the Level 3 Kayak Skills course. The requirement is 3 separate kayak/camp trips totalling no less then 10 nights.
I also plan to do a 3 night trip in early August. That will give me 7 nights. Then one more trip in September for 3 nights will give me the required 10.

I also hope, (if my budget allows) to take some private instruction on one very important safety lesson: Kayak rolling.
Once I have learned competent rolls then I will have that important tool in my kayak skill set. Then I can try out the 'yaks on my short list.

So far the list is comprised of the following boats:

Delta Kayaks 17s.
Current Designs Solstice GT.
Current Designs Isle.
Wilderness Systems Tempest 175 Pro.
Current Designs Caribou.

There is also the necessity of a Standard First Aid course, and;
The very important Wilderness First Aid Course.
Also under consideration is the Bronze Medallion.

My walking exercise is being maintained. My left knee issue, (that I acquired by running too intensely without doing the necessary training), has resolved itself. However that poor decision will delay my running program until next year at the earliest. Or I may just remain a walking "warrior".

Through all this progress, I have been lacking in my Spanish study. So  need to focus on the study and treat it with the respect and commitment that it requires.

Photography will come back into my daily life again.
Then I will have to make a decision about the guitar.

I will have the option to retire in less than 30 months.

Wow! Then what?