During the lead up to Christmas, with the weather being so bad and not being able to get out fishing, I thought I would give a bit of white water kayaking a go.
I'm so glad I did!
The course was running on 4 cumecs (the lowest flow) and it didn't look that hard. So after having a look around the course, and a quick coffee to warm up, we made our way down the the flat water pool.
It was a strange felling sitting inside a white water kayak, rather than on a sit-on-top, and it is a lot more responsive when you start paddling.
Tom gave me a few basic paddling tips to get me going as we made our way across the flat water and into the gentle flow at the bottom of the course.
Within minutes I thought I was ready for my first run of the course!
Of course I only made it down the first few drops before I tipped over and took my very first swim.
I felt like I had been beaten up!
After a bit more coaching from Tom, and a lot more swims, I can now proudly say that I can make my way around and down the course on the lower volume without swimming.
Next step is to get on the course on higher volume, and take on a few rivers as well.
I've even started converting some more kayak fishermen over to the dark side!
I've even started converting some more kayak fishermen over to the dark side!
Well done. I am still learning in my sit in (Dagger RPM Max). I got it to get more confidence on moving water, having only used a sit on top previously. Did you learn to roll before going down the course? I have been to Lee Valley but I think you have to be able to roll before you can go down the WW?
ReplyDeleteMartin
Thanks Martin! Haven't learnt to roll just yet, more focused on perfecting my support strokes and putting in the power where needed.
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