Collarspace Discussion Forums


Home  Login  Search 

RE: Kayaking


View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest
 
All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid >> RE: Kayaking Page: <<   < prev  1 2 [3] 4   next >   >>
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 1:25:45 PM   
LaTigresse


Posts: 26123
Joined: 1/15/2006
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyHibiscus

YES SCARY TUBES OF DOOM THOSE ARE THEM!!!


What she said.

_____________________________

My twisted, self deprecating, sense of humour, finds alot to laugh about, in your lack of one!

Just because you are well educated, articulate, and can use big, fancy words, properly........does not mean you are right!

(in reply to LadyHibiscus)
Profile   Post #: 41
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 1:26:03 PM   
LadyHibiscus


Posts: 27124
Joined: 8/15/2005
From: Island Of Misfit Toys
Status: offline 		I do understand how kayaks work, and RESPECT to those crazy Inuits for thinking that stuff up in the first place. Imagine hunting in one of those things in open water??

Physics, I dig. Being TRAPPED IN A COCOON IS BAD I AM TELLING YOU THIS REALLY REALLY BAD.

Flat water. Boat that I can separate myself from. These are good things. Yes.

_____________________________

[page 23 girl]



(in reply to JeffBC)
Profile   Post #: 42
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 1:32:38 PM   
JeffBC


Posts: 5799
Joined: 2/12/2012
From: Canada
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyHibiscus
Physics, I dig. Being TRAPPED IN A COCOON IS BAD I AM TELLING YOU THIS REALLY REALLY BAD.

OK.. I hate to tell you this because it's gonna blow all of your kayak street cred if anyone sees you actually doing it. But honestly, if you don't do the part where you surgically attach the boat to your body and gloss over welding all the iron bands around your waist and thighs then getting out ain't that hard. All the pro kayakers are going to see you as a fake weekend warrior though.


_____________________________

I'm a lover of "what is", not because I'm a spiritual person, but because it hurts when I argue with reality. -- Bryon Katie
"You're humbly arrogant" -- sunshinemiss
officially a member of the K Crowd

(in reply to LadyHibiscus)
Profile   Post #: 43
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 1:34:21 PM   
LadyHibiscus


Posts: 27124
Joined: 8/15/2005
From: Island Of Misfit Toys
Status: offline 		I AM NOT CONCERNED!! The thumb area isn't exactly "up north" but I will still be a flatlander and so an object of scorn and derision only useful for my cash.

Prideful I am not!

_____________________________

[page 23 girl]



(in reply to JeffBC)
Profile   Post #: 44
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 1:38:34 PM   
JeffBC


Posts: 5799
Joined: 2/12/2012
From: Canada
Status: offline 		*laughs*

Cutting to the real chase here... given the paddle you're actually talking about... bring some pieces of stuff to wad up over your thighs and under the braces so you are really braced and all will be fine. The thigh braces look like this:



and you just press the top sides of your thighs up against them to lock into the boat. The padding is anything you can wad up between your thigh and the brace in case there is extra room.

_____________________________

I'm a lover of "what is", not because I'm a spiritual person, but because it hurts when I argue with reality. -- Bryon Katie
"You're humbly arrogant" -- sunshinemiss
officially a member of the K Crowd

(in reply to LadyHibiscus)
Profile   Post #: 45
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 1:40:19 PM   
LadyHibiscus


Posts: 27124
Joined: 8/15/2005
From: Island Of Misfit Toys
Status: offline 		Oh honey...have you SEEN the size of my thighs?

Thanks for the useful tips, Jeff, just the sort of thing I was looking for. I generally launch myself into stuff with total confidence in my mad skillz, and I'm not dead yet... but I've had some moments of surprise along the way!

_____________________________

[page 23 girl]



(in reply to JeffBC)
Profile   Post #: 46
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 1:52:53 PM   
ChatteParfaitt


Posts: 6562
Joined: 3/22/2011
From: The t'aint of the Midwest -- Indiana
Status: offline 		Let me ponder my options. . .

Lady Hib

some whimpy ass kayak

Lake Huron

Yep, I'm voting for that Delicate Flower every time.

You'll be fine. It looks like a great place, enjoy it.

_____________________________



(in reply to LadyHibiscus)
Profile   Post #: 47
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 1:53:35 PM   
JeffBC


Posts: 5799
Joined: 2/12/2012
From: Canada
Status: offline 		*laughs* I loved this thread. For once I could actually respond to a post on CM as an actual expert (well, expert enough for this anyway) and not speaking about "matters of opinion". it might be the first time that's happened in the years I've been posting here. Hell, I should learn how to wield a single tail for that reason alone.

_____________________________

I'm a lover of "what is", not because I'm a spiritual person, but because it hurts when I argue with reality. -- Bryon Katie
"You're humbly arrogant" -- sunshinemiss
officially a member of the K Crowd

(in reply to LadyHibiscus)
Profile   Post #: 48
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 2:17:22 PM   
ARIES83


Posts: 3648
Status: offline 		I Was a marathon surf-skier in my
teens and the only advice I have is, yes it's
unbelievably wobbly at first and seems like
you will never get comfortable on it, skip
foward 6 months you will feel like it's a part
of you, and you will be "Hib the sea urchin"

Now days I only have a kayak and I've never
tipped over so I have no idea if getting out
upside down is tricky good luck!

-ARIES

_____________________________

530 DAYS

(in reply to LadyPact)
Profile   Post #: 49
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 2:17:34 PM   
Lucylastic


Posts: 40310
Status: offline 		Not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, its been a couple of decades since Ive been in one, but for me, the hardest part was getting in one, being upside down was easy if I remembered not to brace my knees when I was ready to skoot out... ahem... oh and dont curse underwater!!!!
I take it they dont make them out of fibreglass anymore (damn that stuff is nasty)
if you get upside down, rip back the skirt by the cord, then unbrace your legs and push down and back, use the sides to push your self out if you get into trouble, use your hands to slap on the bottom of the canoe/kayak.
I learned in a swimming pool as a teen then braved the rivers and canals, the sea then did a little white water in the UK. I loved it and we got into it as a family(cept my mum) that my dad built four in the garage and a trailer to take us on holiday canoeing.
I even learned how to roll, but getting in and out could definitely be less than esthetically pleasing.

oops
Oh you gots some excellent advice, *I didnt read the thread before writing* but thought I would share my thoughts anyway:)
I hope you have a blast!!!!

_____________________________

(•_•)
<) )╯SUCH
/ \

\(•_•)
( (> A NASTY
/ \

(•_•)
<) )> WOMAN
/ \

Duchess Of Dissent
Dont Hate Love

(in reply to JeffBC)
Profile   Post #: 50
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 2:26:52 PM   
lizi


Posts: 4673
Joined: 2/1/2009
Status: offline 		My guy and I have been kayaking for a few years now, we did some kayaking in the Ohio River this month in fact and it was fab. Everyone gave you great advice. My guy had a flatter bottom kayak for when I started that was about impossible to tip, but not a sit on top. Now I've graduated to a regular sea type kayak. Neither of us has ever tipped. I think the trickiest time is getting in and out, take your time and go easy. In the water I've never had a really super tippy experience where I was scared I flip and we've done a lot of different bodies of water- even done some support events for triathlons and such.

The leg braces help a lot to stabilize while you are paddling. Make sure you have a whistle attached to your PFD and as Jeff said, nothing you care about is in the kayak with you or on top under the cords- I do stick my water bottle under there though. If it's something like car keys, one of us clips them to our PFD. I wear kayak gloves or I get blisters, and I wear a brimmed hat and sunglasses with a cord as it gets very sunny out there on the water. Water shoes, swimsuit bottom and the swimsuit top or a tshirt depending on the temperature. GO TO THE BATHROOM BEFORE GETTING IN THE KAYAK

(in reply to LadyHibiscus)
Profile   Post #: 51
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 2:50:17 PM   
LaTigresse


Posts: 26123
Joined: 1/15/2006
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: lizi
GO TO THE BATHROOM BEFORE GETTING IN THE KAYAK


I believe this is some of the very BEST advice I have EVER seen written on these forums!!!!!!!!!!

_____________________________

My twisted, self deprecating, sense of humour, finds alot to laugh about, in your lack of one!

Just because you are well educated, articulate, and can use big, fancy words, properly........does not mean you are right!

(in reply to lizi)
Profile   Post #: 52
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 3:03:37 PM   
lizi


Posts: 4673
Joined: 2/1/2009
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: LaTigresse


quote:

ORIGINAL: lizi
GO TO THE BATHROOM BEFORE GETTING IN THE KAYAK


I believe this is some of the very BEST advice I have EVER seen written on these forums!!!!!!!!!!


Hahaha...oh yes. We kayaked with our kayaking group to a waterside concert once and they were all drinking beer- you know what happens then. Well, my guy and I didn't have to sweat finding a way to get ourselves to a bathroom. The pic is of us at that event, the gentleman next to me snuck his kayak inbetween my guy and I and kept trying to put his hand on my knee, lol. He finally left to find the bathroom!

PS. Waaa...can't get the picture in the posting. I'm an idiot.


< Message edited by lizi -- 8/29/2012 3:05:21 PM >

(in reply to LaTigresse)
Profile   Post #: 53
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 3:07:05 PM   
lizi


Posts: 4673
Joined: 2/1/2009
Status: offline 		Hopefully this worked.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to lizi)
Profile   Post #: 54
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 3:09:33 PM   
JeffBC


Posts: 5799
Joined: 2/12/2012
From: Canada
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Lucylastic
I even learned how to roll, but getting in and out could definitely be less than esthetically pleasing.

I never learned how to roll.. at least not reliably. I might have to do that though before actually doing some open ocean kayaking around vancouver island. I do, however, have the pro-tip on getting in and out.

1) Get kayak in a few inches of water... best is parallel to the shore. If the bottom of the kayak settles onto the bottom of the lake as you get in all the better. You'll still be able to scoot it into the water and it'll be more stable.
2) Place paddle just behind cockpit combing so that one blade is sticking way out towards the shore and you can grab the shaft with the combing in one hand.
3) Kneel down butt first so that you are facing the front of the boat and your butt is facing the paddle shaft just behind you. As you lower your bodygrab the paddle & combing. What you have done at this point is... once again... used the paddle to make an outrigger... this time the outer blade is just leaning on the shore/bottom. At this point everything is totally stable so long as you keep your weight solidly on the paddle side.
4) Place one leg then the other in the cockpit and settle in being sure to keep your weight leaning on the paddle shaft (so it doesn't flip over the other way). DON'T LET GO OF THE PADDLE/COMBING
5) Get yourself all situated as best you can all the time using your hand to brace the shaft of the paddle against the combing and using it as a balance.

It's hard to explain in words but easy to do. Man, those paddles are good for WAY more than paddling :) This video shows it quite nicely at about the 2 minute mark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZZhJNKMC7s

Lizi mentioned some other random gear to bring and I totally agree. I'd also like to mention again a paddle leash. It doesn't need to be fancy. A few feet of anything that is suitable for lashing the paddle to you, your life vest, or the kayak -- some twine and velcro to wrap around a wrist would work just fine A tow line would also be handy in the unlikely event of a capsize -- figure 15 or 20' of rope and 2 carabiners. Anything which needs to remain dry MUST be stored in a dry bag if on deck and ideally even if inside a hatch. yes, the hatches tend to leak at least a bit. If you don't have a dry bag then improvise with a two garbage bags and be careful not to rip them.

If you can find one without buying it, a bilge pump would also be nice because man, I personally would not want to try to tow a waterlogged kayak.

_____________________________

I'm a lover of "what is", not because I'm a spiritual person, but because it hurts when I argue with reality. -- Bryon Katie
"You're humbly arrogant" -- sunshinemiss
officially a member of the K Crowd

(in reply to Lucylastic)
Profile   Post #: 55
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 3:28:34 PM   
Lucylastic


Posts: 40310
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: JeffBC

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lucylastic
I even learned how to roll, but getting in and out could definitely be less than esthetically pleasing.

I never learned how to roll.. at least not reliably. I might have to do that though before actually doing some open ocean kayaking around vancouver island. I do, however, have the pro-tip on getting in and out.

1) Get kayak in a few inches of water... best is parallel to the shore. If the bottom of the kayak settles onto the bottom of the lake as you get in all the better. You'll still be able to scoot it into the water and it'll be more stable.
2) Place paddle just behind cockpit combing so that one blade is sticking way out towards the shore and you can grab the shaft with the combing in one hand.
3) Kneel down butt first so that you are facing the front of the boat and your butt is facing the paddle shaft just behind you. As you lower your bodygrab the paddle & combing. What you have done at this point is... once again... used the paddle to make an outrigger... this time the outer blade is just leaning on the shore/bottom. At this point everything is totally stable so long as you keep your weight solidly on the paddle side.
4) Place one leg then the other in the cockpit and settle in being sure to keep your weight leaning on the paddle shaft (so it doesn't flip over the other way). DON'T LET GO OF THE PADDLE/COMBING
5) Get yourself all situated as best you can all the time using your hand to brace the shaft of the paddle against the combing and using it as a balance.

It's hard to explain in words but easy to do. Man, those paddles are good for WAY more than paddling :) This video shows it quite nicely at about the 2 minute mark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZZhJNKMC7s

Lizi mentioned some other random gear to bring and I totally agree. I'd also like to mention again a paddle leash. It doesn't need to be fancy. A few feet of anything that is suitable for lashing the paddle to you, your life vest, or the kayak -- some twine and velcro to wrap around a wrist would work just fine A tow line would also be handy in the unlikely event of a capsize -- figure 15 or 20' of rope and 2 carabiners. Anything which needs to remain dry MUST be stored in a dry bag if on deck and ideally even if inside a hatch. yes, the hatches tend to leak at least a bit. If you don't have a dry bag then improvise with a two garbage bags and be careful not to rip them.

If you can find one without buying it, a bilge pump would also be nice because man, I personally would not want to try to tow a waterlogged kayak.

Excellent advice on getting into the canoe.

Heh I could do it, but gawd I did look like a pratt:), we learned at the swimming pool and you get in at 3 foot minimum...or on the canal(man made) you had the wall, the canoe and lots of water, , I would sit down on the ground, steady the side against the wall, put my feet in, grab hold of the front with one hand, cling to the ground with the other hand wriggle in... so many many times, I would lose the canoe and end up ass first in the water panicking with my toes caught in the rim....
When I learned to roll, we had to turn turtle, grip a hold of the instructors hips , then flip hard with your hips , the buoyancy was supposed to help you get back up.... took many tries ...the fifth time I almost did it, I got halfway back up and noticed my hands were gripping the instructors swimming trunks and they were sliding down, and I was so gobsmacked all I could do was watch his manhood bobbing around ....till I couldnt hold my breath anymore... He never let me forget it.
I learned to roll mainly because the fewer times I had to get into the canoe from the bank, the better:)

I also learned how to empty out a waterlogged canoe, in the water but I needed to have another canoe and another person to help do it,:)
Now its making me wanna go out n do it again, LOL

_____________________________

(•_•)
<) )╯SUCH
/ \

\(•_•)
( (> A NASTY
/ \

(•_•)
<) )> WOMAN
/ \

Duchess Of Dissent
Dont Hate Love

(in reply to JeffBC)
Profile   Post #: 56
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 3:28:42 PM   
lizi


Posts: 4673
Joined: 2/1/2009
Status: offline 		Tag teaming off Jeff again- YES, he uses a dry bag for certain things. Only way to keep things dry or leave them in the car. We DO bring a bilge pump, it's just icky paddling with lots of water rolling around inside where you are sitting. Expect to get wet, paddling tends to spray you with a small but constant supply or water drops. Wear sunscreen! I tuck a small washcloth in my PFD pocket for when I get sweaty paddling or need to clean off the sunglasses from water spray. If I take off the gloves for any reason I attach them to something, attach everything in the kayak to something or you'll lose it. If the hat comes off, it hangs around my neck for the same reason.

I don't use a fancy or set way of getting in and out, I pretty much struggle with it each time and go very slowly, an inch at a time if necessary so it doesn't tip. Has worked for me. Tuck a sealed granola bar in the PFD pocket just in case you get the munchies, we go out for hours at a time.

Sounds like a lot of work, I keep a kayaking tote bag with my personal stuff in it as well as a biking tote bag all ready so I can grab it and go when he says we're going. Cuts down on the prep. He keeps all of our actual gear for the boats in his trunk. All we ever have to do is get the boats when we want to go. I really really enjoy it, we've had so much fun. One of my funnest times was that concert. Afterwards, we paddled the Inner Harbor in Baltimore in the dark (we had lights on the boats) and wow, it was awesome! Our trip to OH was amazing as well, the Ohio River up close and personal was so inviting. We went right up to a decaying paddlewheel boat and got to see it all right there. You get to see things under a microscope almost, it's so quiet and you're right there in the middle of all that nature. Turtles, fish, egrets, herons. I really love kayaking. Plus he's always so proud of me, my arms can keep up with him a lot better than my legs, although I try pretty hard on both.

(in reply to JeffBC)
Profile   Post #: 57
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 3:41:54 PM   
JeffBC


Posts: 5799
Joined: 2/12/2012
From: Canada
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Lucylastic
I also learned how to empty out a waterlogged canoe, in the water but I needed to have another canoe and another person to help do it,:)

Canoe or kayak? I never found it hard with the kayak. I just kind of plopped the bilge pump in the cockpit and leaned on the boat with my body in the water till I got most of it out. Then I'd climb on in and get the rest. Then I'd use the handy sea sponge we stored behind the seat to mop up the last little dribbles.

Now its making me wanna go out n do it again, LOL
*laughs* No joke. Our kayaks need some rigging work but this thread is motivating me to get on down to the local kayak place and get the parts. Right at our house is "the gorge" which is a fairly large river (without the actual river part *laughs*... it's just a cut in the land where the ocean is.. no "flow"). But that's relatively safe in terms of wind & tides. I'm going to need some professional instruction though before I head on out into the open water. But man, I'd love to do something like paddle from sidney to pender island. I just need to know how to do it without being washed out to sea.


_____________________________

I'm a lover of "what is", not because I'm a spiritual person, but because it hurts when I argue with reality. -- Bryon Katie
"You're humbly arrogant" -- sunshinemiss
officially a member of the K Crowd

(in reply to Lucylastic)
Profile   Post #: 58
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 4:44:04 PM   
doctorgrey


Posts: 373
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyHibiscus

Trying again




I have no idea what this thread is about, but can I live there please?

DrG

(in reply to LadyHibiscus)
Profile   Post #: 59
RE: Kayaking - 8/29/2012 4:53:30 PM   
LadyHibiscus


Posts: 27124
Joined: 8/15/2005
From: Island Of Misfit Toys
Status: offline 		It's privately owned, DrG...but you might be allowed to touch it!

Thanks for the advice everyone! I feel much more prepared! And since I have no fear of looking silly, since I do it ALL THE TIME, I expect to provide some amusement for onlookers as well!

_____________________________

[page 23 girl]



(in reply to doctorgrey)
Profile   Post #: 60
Page:   <<   < prev  1 2 [3] 4   next >   >>
All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid >> RE: Kayaking Page: <<   < prev  1 2 [3] 4   next >   >>
Jump to:





New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts




Collarchat.com © 2025
Terms of Service Privacy Policy Spam Policy

0.108