Letters
The
Boatshed
Ulli’s
Wet & Wild Returns
Newsletter
thoughts
Stonehurst,
2002
Spring
wasn’t nice to kayakers
A
Birthday Adventure or Be Careful What You Wish For
Robert
and Betsy’s Southern Sojourn
Volkspaddlers@yahoogroup.com
DEEP
SCULLING - Replace the Roll!
Seen
Our Website Lately? www.swbans.com
Just checked out the
website. Other than a few understandable mis-spellings (new and creative
ways of spelling old words ... it is great. Like we said on
the phone: Ulli is quite an amazing guy for just getting things done.
His enthusiasm and genuine interest shows through all of it. Like I said
four years ago: “The day Ulli got off the airplane in Halifax, he
became a Nova Scotian.” (In fact, more of a Nova Scotian than most of the
people who have been living here for generations ... i.e. he gets in there,
gets into it, and gets his hands dirty.)
Such a pro-active
website can only further the aims of the Association eh?
I love Rob’s photo of Alex dry-fitting his Greenland boat. What feet! I will try to get a photo of Rob Wells, who weighs 310 and has size 19 feet, in his VOLKSUMOKAYAK before we put the deck on this Friday. Now, there are feet, and there are FEET!!!
I feel that I have been remiss in not sending more articles for the newsletter as of late. My excuse has been: “Hay no tiempo.” But, considering what Ulli is able to get accomplished, I’m just being lazy. Will try to rectify this a.s.a.p.
Gerry
In the March issue, two articles dealt with the issue of cold water immersion and the hazards it poses. In his item, Gerry Gladwin lists a number of items which should be included in an emergency kit. I’d like to add a couple of suggestions.. Adding a ‘space’ blanket to the kit costs very little (<$5), and could be a lifesaver. This mylar material is very light, compact and windproof. It can be wrapped around a person experiencing hypothermia or even used as a windbreak/shelter.
The other suggestion is to carry several triangular bandages in the emergency kit. Besides their obvious uses in 1st Aid, triangular bandages can be handy for any situation where one has to tie or pad pretty well anything. If you don’t want to buy them, old pillow cases and the like, cut to shape and washed before being placed in plastic bags, are a free and effective alternative.
Rick Hayes, Upper Gullies, NF
...and the general gossip from the rest of the membership....
Rumor has it that one of our “Valley” members backed their truck up at the Kentville Post Office and forgot the Volkskayak(s) that over hung the truck roof. The fellow sitting at his desk in his office on the second floor (?) thought he was under terrorist attack as these sleek objects exploded into his office through his now shattered window. New uses for a VK,,what have you used yours for lately ?
Ken Lamb has almost finished his Windsprint. As with all Ken’s projects this one is a work of art in wood. The extra touches of exotic woods for trim and the flawless craftsmanship make this the finest Windsprint I have ever seen. Shows you that even a “simple” boat cleans up nice under the right hand. Ken has also finished up a “Golden Eye” kayak that was started by Tony and Patrica but because of epoxy allergies, they couldn’t finish it. More of that stuff going around....
Anne and Ryerson’s Windsprint is also almost done. Almost as pretty and Ken’s,,,but much, much faster looking! Both these new boats will be launching on June 23rd.
Ulli’s Skin on frame
Greenland Kayak is finished. Here is his report...
“Test paddle of the
skin boat? Well, kind off paddled it on Sunday. Turned out
that it is not what I was looking for, mainly because my interpretation
on the depth was wrong. So it has too much volume, and I sit too deep (coaming
is to high), and I don’t have good grip on the boat (can be improved by
padding. Other than that, i.e. everything below the waterline works great.
Runs easy with a smooth entry. It was tippy in the beginning, after
a while I lost a bit of concentration, tipped over, blew two rolls, and
bailed out since I had no idea how easy this would be and didn’t want to
be out of breath after a couple of more rolling attempts. If there
would be just a way to cut 2 inch out of the height....It is anyway not
a boat type I would like to paddle without a 100% secure roll. There
is no way to do an unassisted reentry other than re-enter and roll, and
even an assisted one wouldn’t be easy. OK, kiss 300$ goodbye
and think about the next one. Guess I will take the lines of the
skin boat and try to get them into a plywood hull sometimes next fall/winter.”
At the Maritime Museum
of the Atlantic Gerry Gladwin of Volkskayaks will start in the shed on
May 27 building Volkskayaks with new owners. This is always
a great way to meet new boat builders and see how a kayak should be built.
Gerry has over the years perfected the process of “stitch and glue” constructionto
turn out a high quality product. Stop by and give a hand or encourage
the builders.
The “Marilla” project
continues with recent work on the mast and spars. This is a lovely
re-creation of an 1895 Tancook Sloop, a boat in the collectionon the main
floor. The new hull is in the shed on the wharf and staff members
work on it most days.
Dear fellow wooden
dinghy sailors,I am the owner of 14' LEADER multi-purpose dinghy.
Built by Small Craft of Southampton Ltd. in Southampton England.
Her handling is of very high order, and the outstanding characteristic
of “LEADER” is her remarkable steadiness, which immediately inspires confidence
and imparts a feeling of security. Performance to windward is exceptional
and of the wind she goes like a bird, planing easily, quickly and very
very steadily. She is easily controllable and powerful at all times.
I estimate her age to 40 to 50 years while everything from her rigging
to her brass rivets, to her mahogany plywood hard chines are in excellent
repair. She is resting on a trellis in my garage in Rusticoville,
Prince Edward Island To part company with this lovely craft I would
need $ 2,500 . For more information I can be reached
@ home 902-963-044
or
during working hours
902-888-1819
Thank you,
Frank Nowak
Spring made it to Nova
Scotia, and Summer is around the corner. Unintentionally I found
out last weekend that the lakes are already pretty much warmed up. Tried
my skin on frame kayak, but that’s another sad story.....
The purpose is to
work and practice those skills one will hopefully never need in real life,
in a controlled and reasonable comfortable setting first. Plan
is to graduate from there to a place like Rainbow Heaven. Capsize manoeuvres,
re-entries, rolling..... you name it, we can do it or work on the know
how. Wet exit, T-rescue, scoop rescue, paddle float rescue....... to name
a few.
It is not an organized
clinic with an instructor. It’s just a getting together of like-minded
paddlers to work out and learn from each other. Everybody is
responsible for him or herself......
From experience the
best thing is to put yourself on a schedule, a firm day and time every
week. The location in the past was Grahams Cove on Lake Banook in Dartmouth.
Sandy beach with a gentle slope, sheltered, and easy access. I would
be able to do it on a regular basis starting in July on Wednesdays, most
Thursdays, or Friday evenings. My preference would be Thursday, but
both other days are fine, 6:30 - 7:00 was a good time to start, and 1 -
1.5 hours is time enough to wear you out or get cold. Wetsuits etc.
extent this time to almost unlimited on the lake.
Anybody interested
to join in? Now would be the time to clarify the details (day, time,
location), to get going in 3 weeks or so.
At the AGM this year I will suggest several options for the course of the Newsletter. This gives everyone time to think them over.
First, I have been
editor for 8 years and enjoy it very much.
The problem is an
old one that keeps growing, it is a lot of work,,now about 30 hours per
issue. Many members have helped in the past, and continue to do so
even now. A big Thank You to you all.
For me to continue, we must come up with some other way to share the work around. Perhaps a new Editor with more time, I could remain on as “photo editor” or something like that. Or another thought is to publish only four issues per year, one for each season. Issues done this way could be a bit larger and include more photos with the cost overall remaining about the same per year.
I am happy to entertain any and all thoughts.
Another great event by Donna and Howard Ray of Stonehurst. Thanks guys from all of us.
By 10:30 AM it was plain to see we were experiencing the largest event ever held by SWBANS. Cars and kayaks were everywhere over the Ray’s property, the total count was 25 boats !
Skill level was from new beginner to very experienced. With this combination tips and ideas were passing back and forth all day. Alison learned how to do a power stroke, a few people learned better ways to get into and out of a kayak, we all learned about paddling against a good tide and fierce wind.
The wind was the main topic as it reached gale force at times. Usually this would have cancelled the day, but we knew that the area was well protected and though you might get the full blast from time to time, it didn’t have the open water to create a dangerous fetch. Waves were very low to none.
After navigating against wind and tide up Tanner’s Passage between the mainland and Heckman’s Island, we turned back to seaward and let these forces now propel us. And did they! People hardly had to touch a paddle except to steer or use it as a sail.
Lunch was a welcome thought and we met on a rock beach, well, two beaches close together at the seaward end of Heckman’s Island. Lots of food and rest, and then most of us paddled back to Stonehurst, some pulling out and heading back to the city, and some exploring the little passages between islands near Howard and Donna’s home.
For those who stayed even later we were treated to a BBQ by the Rays. Everyone brought something for the pot with our hosts providing the burgers and hot dogs etc., and the great yard for sprawling. All this and an ocean view . The wonderful hospitality was a bonus.
There were sunburns and sore muscles the next day, but very much worth it.
In late May and early
June I was reminded were I am. Frigid water, sometimes wind speeds beyond
the fun threshold, and unexpected high swells. It’s a place with
a sometimes narrow margin between fun and cold sweat, were mistakes and
wrong assessment of conditions and/or skills get you punished. I didn’t
have to find it out the hard way, others weren’t so lucky.
I read it in the news:
Mid May two sea kayakers were rescued from the Bay of Fundy when they were
unable to fight strong off shore wind and found themselves blown out to
sea; The first weekend in June peaked with a fatal kayaking accident
in the Bay of Fundy, followed on Monday with a close call for a fellow
paddler in our own backyard. A week later, Rob and I were paddling
Halifax Harbor with its own hazards, and three paddlers got into trouble
on Grand Lake, two required outside assistance from a local fire department
to make it back to shore. Most of these frivolous or unlucky paddlers got
dumped due to wind and wave conditions, and the lack of skill to handle
the conditions encountered. They found themselves swimming in the
frigid waters, facing hypothermia, and relying on outside help.
What should we learn from those incidents? Nothing we shouldn’t already know, but sometimes we forget important things. Equipment and skills should fit the situation.
“Dress for immersion” is one of the golden rules in kayaking. T-shirt and shorts are an inappropriate paddling outfit for most days of the year on our waters. The only exemption may be our lakes in summer. However, wetsuits or dry suits are not exactly dress code in Nova Scotia’s sea kayaking community. Few people wear them at all, street clothing is common, and in June the air temperatures suggest illusive safety. If you don’t want to dress up in rubber, stay at least away from cotton shirts and blue jeans. Wool and a number of technical fibers (i.e. fleece, polypropylene), in combination with a wind breaking outer layer, will keep you at least somewhat warm when wet until you have a chance to change into dry clothing. You don’t have to go swimming to suffer from hypothermia, spray and wind work just as well.
Know your limits and try to stay within your comfort zone. The alternative is to avoid conditions and situations which carry a risk,. i.e. stay on dry land. As soon as you get on the water there is always a chance to start an involuntary fish count, no matter how skilled you are. Rapidly changing conditions, a wind gust, a wave sneaking up, a submersed rock, or a moment of distraction is all it takes. Even after 20 years of successfully staying upright, it is always possible to find out how cold the water is.
Get out of the water. Even a wetsuit or a dry suit can only buy more time until hypothermia kicks in. Getting out of the water as fast as possible is mandatory! Have you ever tried a re-entry in your kayak after falling out on purpose? When did you practice assisted and un-assisted re-entries the last time? Ever tried to tow or carry a swimmer to safety? Even on a calm lake or in a pool those drills and tasks can be hard to do. I know, that even regular training of these techniques is no guaranty for a successful re-entry in adverse conditions when tired and cold, but still chances are better than if unprepared.
Paddle in a group, paddle safe. Paddling with a buddy or in a group offers illusive safety in case of capsize. Somebody still needs to have the “Know How” and skills to assist a swimming paddler’s re-entry. Otherwise there is a good chance that more than one end up swimming next to their boats. Everybody should know at least the basics of the common assisted rescue procedures. It would make the job safer, faster and easier for all involved in a capsize situation. No matter what, un-assisted techniques are still #1. Your buddies maybe busy fighting with the conditions themselves, unable to help you or even notice you are in trouble.
Gain skills and Know How. One person’s nightmare is heaven for another one. Depending on skills, experience and personality, everybody has to define their own comfort level. I reach my limits were other’s just starting to enjoy the paddle. If paddling in a group: Keep your personality and know your limits (don’t do what you don’t want to do), respect other people’s personalities (don’t make people do things they don’t want to do or can’t do), let your paddling partners know when you reach your limits, but gain experience with time and work on your skills to push the margin of comfort.
Help and advice can be found in various places. Clinics and classes are offered by outfitters, or simply learn from fellow paddlers.
Have a safe paddling season!
June 4 this year marked my 50th birthday. I wanted to do something memorable, something life affirming in recognition of this milestone so I decided on a little kayak trip from my house to a friend’s place on Micmac Lake. The route was straightforward enough - cross Cole Harbour from our front yard, round Rainbow Haven Beach and Hartlen’s Point, through Eastern Passage and up Halifax Harbour to Dartmouth Cove. A short 1 km portage up Prince Albert Road to Lake Banook, under the highway into Micmac Lake and up to Larry’s dock.
Originally I had planned to build my own boat for this trip but, as the date approached it became clear that wasn’t going to happen. Fortunately, my good friend and fellow SWBANS member Bob Cowan graciously agreed not only to accompany me on the trip but to let me use his beautiful CLC 17. We drove the whole shore line from home to Larry’s on Saturday, planning stopping points and calculating times and distances. Over the weekend I built two custom dollies to transport our boats from Dartmouth Cove to Lake Banook. By Monday morning we were psyched up and ready to go.
The wind was at our backs and the tide was running as we left home at 8:45. The paddle down Cole Harbour to the sea was glorious - sun shining, boats loaded with the day’s supplies - our first real trip anywhere. Bob’s wife Debi was on the beach when we got to Rainbow Haven with the dog and her camera. As we left the channel we were met by a modest 3' beach break which caused Bob to wisely express concern. Rather than discuss a game plan for negotiating the beach break, I charged ahead, assuming Bob would follow. When I got outside, I was alone.
After a few minutes and a couple of fruitless cell phone calls, I decided to go back and see how Bob was making out. Sea kayaks go much better into waves than with them and I was soon in the water. The 8 degree water. I kicked for at least half an hour, dragging the boat, but made only marginal headway and, thanks to Debi’s phone call to 911, a Sea King helicopter came by and ended my swim for the day. The adventure concluded with a nice warm ambulance ride to the Dartmouth General, more warm blankets and cold monitor wires, then home for a nap. If the paramedics or the Sea King crew happen to get hold of this, I am profoundly and eternally grateful for jobs very well done.
So, what did we learn from our adventure. I learned a bunch of little stuff like the goldfish in those ziplock bag commercials should be really nervous - I now have a really nice new cell phone. Also, just because your lunch and stuff are in the cockpit doesn’t mean they can’t end up in the water - attach everything to the boat. I also wish I had tucked my paddle under the deck bungies because the chopper blew the boat away and the paddle didn’t stay with it.
As I was sitting on the beautiful blue ocean, wondering how my friend Bob was doing, Tom Cruise’s lament from ‘Top Gun’ kept going through my mind: “Never leave your wing man.” Whatever you do, wherever you go, make sure everyone is on the same page. Bob faced some big waves a few years ago in Big Bras d’Or. He knew both his limits and those of his boat but, in my zeal for the trip, I ignored his concern. It cost me the trip (for now) and, as it turned out, it could have cost me my life.
We did a lot of things right and we had some providence thrown in for good measure. We had our dry bags, although we didn’t have to use them. Debi had the foresight to phone for help before it got dicey. The Sea King happened to be doing some drills in the neighbourhood and responded in minutes. Everything turned out alright (thank God) and the birthday party was hilarious at my expense.
By the time we do this trip again (on Bob’s birthday in August) I will be good at water reentries and Eskimo rolls and have a real waterproof cell phone case and have straps for the spares in the cockpit and go on a calm day and stick with my buddy and be very, very specific when I ask for an adventure.
Our kayaking trip was thought about for a year in advance. We had travelled most of the same route before but having a kayak with us this time made it far more enjoyable because of the sights we saw from the boat; the people we met because of having the kayak and just having something to do on a trip and getting exercise. The ease of having just one kayak on the car instead of two resulted in my building a new double for the trip incorporating three cockpit openings so that it could be used by one person and stilll be balanced. The kayak is 18' long (4' longer than the car) of strip construction with a spruce hull and cedar deck.
We set out from Nova Scotia on a bright cold day in early April. Some four hours into our trip we were in the midst of a heavy wet snowfall in Saint John. The owner of Eastern Sports; Bob Vulg, came out in the snow to see this latest kayak and invited us to join him for a paddling excursion he was leading the next day. We declined in order to continue on our way seeking warmer conditions.
During our 24 days away we drove through 20 States; kayaking in only four of them but managing 17 outings averaging 2 hours each. Our first paddle was in Nashville Tennessee where the temperature was in the low 70’s and signs of Spring were everywhere. Then it was on to a pleasantly warm paddle in the heart of New Orleans on Bayou St John. We next did several paddles on the crystal clear spring fed rivers of summery northwestern Florida. The wildlife ( including several alligators and hundreds of turtles ) was fascinating along with so many interesting plants and trees. The Carribbean coloured waters of the Keys provided us with half a dozen paddles while basking in true summer temperatures in the high 80’s. While paddling in St. Augustine in northern Florida , we watched for fifteen minutes as two porpoise leaped and played in the water very near to us. A small lake in Maryland allowed us our last taste of Summer before enduring a full day of snow from Maine back to N.S..
Having our kayak on top of our small car was a good source of conversation and interest by many people we met along our route. At a stop light in New Bern, North Carolina, a carload of people expressed appreciation for it being hand-made and tried to ask questions before the light changed and we sped off on our separate ways. At a slow spot on a turnpike a young lady in an open jeep called to us ‘that’s nice!’. One of the most interested was a Key West local, an older hippy-type, who asked specific questions about its construction. While padddling in St Augustine people in a dinghy and others in a large sailboat actually clapped and hollered ‘looks beautiful’. (Ed.note: Robert made it clear to me he didn’t write this to brag about his kayak, but to show how a hand crafted wooden boat draws attention)
While driving in Maine and the Maritime Provinces in the Summertime it is common to see kayaks on top of vehicles. In the Southern States we travelled such sightings were uncommon. In the Keys there were several rental outlets but in our paddles we did not meet any other dedicated kayakers on the water. We saw hundreds of boats while paddling but few were wooden boats. The fact that we had an all wood boat was certainly one of the attractions of our little boat among so many expensive ones. The wooden boat on top of our low slung car was an aid in being more visible in heavy traffic congestion. Even after dark while lost in a melee of traffic in the Bronx, two of New York’s finest NYPD members wanted to know what model the kayak was and then wanted to check out my paddles before actually halting traffic so we could proceed on our way. For just about the whole trip there were ‘public boat launch’ signs and other signs picturing a canoe. We had little time to check them out in our three weeks. Our bonus was 9 alligators, hundreds of turtles many unusual birds and the two porpoise .
I appreciate people who take the bull-by-the-horns and who just getthings done. Like Ulli, recently. He emailed,”Just an idea.” To the VK Community Forum. He proposed a volkspaddlers newsgroup. Then he set it up.
The concept is to link up people who may want to go paddling (especially on short notice) where and when there may be other like-minded individuals with a similar plan. By simply sending an email to thenewsgroup outlining the proposed trip, there may (or there may not be) others who would like to go along. The opportunity is there for those who wish to take part. It simply reinforces the ‘safety in numbers’ concept.
It is not at all like
a ‘booked expedition’ (for big bucks) with an expedition leader, who is
responsible for everything from boats and pfd’s, to the preparation of
gourmet eats. Speaking personally, a cheese sandwich and a drink is lots
for a short day-paddle. Rather, it is simply a group of people who
may wish to go float in a situation where they can support one another
if necessary, learn from each other by experience, and enjoy the good company
of other paddlers exposing themselves to our great outdoors.
To be included in
this newsgroup you will have to register by sending an empty email (no
subject, no message, no signiture) to: volkskayakers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
You will receive an automated response by the system to which you will
need to reply (just hit the reply button in your mail program) to confirm
your subscription (option 2 in the list. Option 1, by following aweb
link, seems not to work). That’s it. Only those subscribed are able to
post and receive messages.
When you want to go paddling, and if you would maybe like some company, tell the group. Others may show up to share the experience. As web hamster (Ulli) and the Moderator at Yahoo put it: The focus of this group is to find paddling partners, find or offer non-commercial paddling trips to join, get information on paddling destinations.
Note the ‘Non commercial’
point of view. - G
The Moderator goes
on to say: We offer just the communication platform and are not responsible
or liable if something bad happens on trips or based on information you
gathered via this group. You are responsible for yourself off and on the
water! True. As with any personal pursuit, this is understood. One
of the main reasons for the group is to increase the likelihood that paddlers
can find destinations and paddling partners to undertake their chosen activity
safely and in the company of others. The idea is to teach responsible boating
by setting a good example.
To be part of volkskayakers@yahoogroups.com just go there. And be there. Likely there will be somebody else with the same idea. Thanks to you Ulli,
KYHOYA (Keep your head over your ass)
If you know how to roll, or high scull, try this fun technique! Rolling is a commonly used self-rescue, and high sculling is an exciting skill that allows one to be submerged yet relaxed while floating in their kayak on the surface.
But there is another skill, infrequently mentioned by instructors and books, which has added an element of safety, and fun to practice in the pool. This technique combines the skills learned in rolling and high sculling to create deep sculling.
There are two important skills that are usually attained by students before they try deep sculling…these are high sculling, and/or rolling. High sculling is a support stroke which has become one of the Canadian Recreational Canoe/Kayak’ Associations sea kayaking skill requirements. As with rolling, once learned, like any strong foundation skill, it allows for other skills to then be learned.
Once a paddler has become comfortable with these techniques, and understands the importance of the hip, torso, and head in up righting their kayak, the unusual righting technique of deep sculling bares its ugly head, and a new skill awaits an eager student….
DEEP SCULLING
Sculling strokes are
usually practiced while the blade of the paddle glides lazily back and
forth across the surface of the water. The depth of the body’s submergence
largely differentiates the two main types, high and low sculling, during
this action. During low sculling the paddler’s upper body remains relatively
dry, above the water and the paddle shaft. In high sculling, the paddler’s
body is beneath the shaft of their paddle, and somewhat if not totally
submerged, except for the face to allow for breathing. Deep sculling takes
it all one-step further!
For example, the water
skiing effect of the sculling movement of the paddle creates enough resistance
to allow a practiced paddler to skull for support in the high (dry) or
low (wet) position. There is, however, another element to sculling that
I call deep sculling. Deepsculling is a worthwhile training technique that
is fun, easy on the joints, yet can be used as a replacement for a roll
and has other useful purposes. For those who have weak or strained shoulder
joints, it may even reduce the threat of dislocating/hurting a shoulder
or vertebrae when rolling since it requires less sudden movements in it
than rolling usually does. While deep sculling, a paddler literally goes
from deep submersion to being upright…without technically rolling!
To help visualize the paddle’s action during deep sculling, imagine a broad, flat leaf falling lazily from a tree. Often it will not just fall straight down, but will swing back and forth pendulum-like until it hits the ground. During deep sculling, while a paddler is rising from deep submersion, the action of the blade resembles this motion, except in reverse. Rather than carve its way down, the blade of the paddle carves its way up to the surface, followed closely by the paddler!
How its’ done:
Take time to stretch
and warm up first. Pay particular attention to stretching your back, shoulders
and neck.
While you are upright,
and firmly situated in your kayak, lean back and extend your paddle out,
perpendicular to your kayak, on your dominant side. Keep your outside (extended)
elbow low and slightly bent like in a chin up position. Your inside arm
should be bent and positioned with your elbow close to your ribs. Think
of your inside arm as the fulcrum during this technique. Take a deep
breath, relax, tip, and let your body sink until your paddle is almost,
but not quite vertical in the water.(approx.80 degrees)
Now, while keeping the inside arm somewhat bent, but above the upturned hull of the kayak, incorporate the back and forth sculling motion required for high sculling with the outside arm. While doing so, your bent (inside) inside arm continues to act as a fulcrum for your paddle shaft while your extended arm carves back and forth in long, lazy sweeps.
Arching the Back:
Unlike high sculling
where one’s back is arched away from the kayak to help keep their face
out of the water while hovering at the surface, in deep sculling, one isessentially
rising to the surface and then rolling upright. Just like when rolling,
maintaining a head back, and rear deck lean while surfacing is important.
The position used in the second “C” of the “C to C” roll where boat, abdomen,
and then shoulders and finally head emerge in this order from the water,
is important to maintain.
Note: While attempting
to rise to the surface, the speed of your accent ion to the surface is
determined by the blades’ angle as it “sculls” back and forth. Be sure
to twist your outside wrist at the end of each stroke so that the leading
edge of the blade is slightly angled upward. Experimenting with the angle
of the leading edge of the blade will allow you to find an accent ion pace
that works well for you, before you run out of air!
With practice, this
deep water sculling effect will cause the extended blade to effectively
rise to the surface, bringing the paddler with it!
Once the paddle has broken the surface, the skills used for rolling, such as a backward or forward lean, combined with a hip flick should safely land the paddler upright in their boat again. Voila, another fun way to rescue one’s self in a slow, safe, and deliberate manner, without too much strain!
Deep sculling is not just a rolling tool, but can also get you to the surface and essentially hold you there while you wait for an assist, or can be used to propel the kayak forward towards something to aid in the up righting process (i.e.: another paddler). Finally, deep sculling allows a submerged paddler time to gather their wits for setting up before a roll.
Note: Practice on both
sides, and always be sure to leave enough breath in your body for an underwater
exit. Remember, this is a stroke that works best when one’s body is relaxed,
so enjoy the sensation of being in control, even when you’re underwater!
Rob Girard is an Instructor
with the C.R.C.A., and with Sea Sun Kayak School & Adventures Ltd.,
Halifax.
www.paddlenovascotia.com.
Our Web Hamster, Ulli Hoeger has done a wonderful job setting up this interesting and informative site. New items are posted regularly including photographs of SWBANS events and articles too large for the Newsletter.
The ever expanding “links” page is chock full of what you really need for being out on the water as well as lots of fun stuff. For example, you can get up to the minute weather, including marine weather, a very good site on hypothermia and cold water shock, notice to mariners on line which tells you where the lighthouses and bouys should be, Toporama, free downloadable topographical maps of Canada, and tourist info for Nova Scotia for booking that B&B for your next trip.
On the fun side,,have you seen the link to the guy that built his own battleship! How about the numerous links to your favorite publications or our sister organizations around the world, lots of interesting things here. Need a Nova Scotia sail maker, or a kayak designer? Find it here.
Besides “links”, you will also want to see the “Kodak Moments”, the “Newsletter”, keep track of the “SWBANS Events”, read “Stories and Tales”, calibrate your GPS for your next trip from our members collection of “Waypoints”, and get first hand information about a new boat design or find a friend under “Members Only”.
This busy site is updated
regularly.. many thanks to Ulli who over the last few years has become
a personal friend as well as a good friend to SWBANS.