Well it seems that I have missed the boat on posting the news about John. As he is unable to type, I am taking the liberty of at least posting about our kayaking course which we took on Sunday. John and I signed up for a rolling course as there were only 4 spots and that meant instruction would be very one on one. Boats, skirts and paddles were provided.
Our group consisted of 3 men, our instructor, Scott and moi! Scott began the class by telling us that men take a little longer to learn to roll whereas women learn very quickly due to listening!! As Gord had already done the course once Scott decided to get him started first as he already had the basics. The lesson progressed with Gary next and then John. In the meantime, while one of us was learning, the rest of us practiced bracing and turning with our boats using the sweep but tipping the boat ever so slightly. Makes turning a lot faster!
Our class was only 3 hours, and although all the men got instruction on rolling, I didn't. I did get a chance to brace my kayak and get a "feel" for what would be the next step. As John had learnt the basics I thought he would be able to show me. In class we learnt about keeping your elbow/shoulder in your side so you don't dislocate it. Keeping your paddle on the surface rather than deep in the water. I thought Scott was an excellent instructor and recommend this course.
What I did learn, and did three times, was to hang upside down in the kayak. To slow down and gently pull of the skirt, push myself out of the kayak and float to the surface. All without any panic.
Cost of course $75.00 Cost of hanging upside down without panic and finally mastering my fear......priceless....
Next summer I hope John and I will be able to go to Thetis Lake to practice. Scott said Elk Lake wasn't a good place to practice rolling.....too polluted.
And now the rock part......well it wasn't a rock John hit with his bike, and he did a different kind of roll on November 20. I really can't express how much relief I felt when I arrived at Vic General Hospital and was able to assess the damage, and that although the damage is bad, it wasn't worse.
Great! This is so encouraging me to take a roll class this winter. I worry about disorientation when upside down, but you make it sound like something that practise can help.
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