Eskimo Rolling - Reentry & Roll - March 29

I had a Greenland style rolling student today. She had an iffy sweep lay back roll, and wanted to make it more reliable and add a re-entry and roll to her abilities.

We made her roll very reliable in about 5 minutes. It is so cool to identify and fix a weakness and see results so quickly. And, then to make her roll bombproof in just a few more minutes!

Then we went on to the re-entry and roll. As is sometimes the case, the problem had nothing to do with rolling. It was in committing to climbing in to the upturned kayak, making sure you are fully in the seat and in contact with the thigh braces, and still have control of your paddle.

Here is how to accomplish this. Start in the water with your kayak right side up and facing forward to the left of you. Grab both the paddle shaft and your kayak's left side combing on your left hand. Put the kayak on its side as you put your feet into the cockpit. Now, take a deep breath and grab the combing on the right side. You now need that breath since you will be upside down at this point. Squirm around if needed and get completely into the seat with your feet on the your foot rests and your thighs in the braces. At this point you will have completed the hard part. (Unless of course, you can't hold your breath more than 5 seconds.)

Let go of the combing, grabbing you paddle with both hands and get into your set-up position. Now, roll the boat like you would any other time.

If you are doing a left-handed roll, start right side up, follow these instructions carefully, and you should end up upside down. I'm not left-handed, so I can't be sure, but I hear it works splendidly. :-)

After you have rolled up, you will have a cockpit half full of water. So head for calm water or a friend's help so you can pump out the water and put your spray skirt back on.

While I have never experienced this, I'm told that some boats roll more slowly when they are full of water. So you my need to do your roll more slowly as well.

There is a myth floating around that if you put your spray skirt on while you are still upside down, you will not have a cockpit full of water after you have rolled. Balderdash! Rubbish! Let's sink that myth for good.

Two Star Training (aka Beyond FUNdamentals) - March 28, 2010

What a great class. And, an adventure. We combined training with touring around Snug Harbor, regularly changing the sites in out "classroom".

The adventure was in maximizing results in the time available since rain and lightning was forecasted early in the afternoon.

Four intrepid souls began. And, three of them stayed awake throughout!
About 1:00 thunder in the distance suggested the weather forecast was coming true, so we retreated from the water.

I was thrilled, because in 3 hours of learning I saw an enormous increase in skill among the class. While disappointed to get off the water, it was balanced by seeing the results that were already achieved.

The gang found a perfect spot for some "dryland" training, under the new roof on the deck at the shop. And, we began with questions and answers.

After the questions slowed down, Harry took a stab at Kayak-Mation. He used a kayak ornament to simulate a banana simulating a kayak. We learned a bit and laughted a lot.

The rain and thunder had diminished and we decided to conclude our learning adventure.

Tom was rising to new heights with his kayak.

While Peter was getting down to his next kayaking achievement.

And, Sarah and Harry were relieved that Kayak-Mation survived.

Foundation Skills at Weedon Island - March 24, 2010

It was a beautiful day for a class. We taught and practiced as we traversed Weedon Island.

On our first venture foreword we saw this yellow-crowned night heron.

Before long we spotted another. At least some of us spotted it.

I think Wes was blinded by the reflection off his white kayak and couldn't see it.

After paddling awhile through the mangrove tunnels, we came to nice pond. After some more lessons and practice, Marty stopped to do a whole bunch of finger exercises with her hatch cover. During which time Wes decided to do biceps curls with her camel back. (I think Marty's exercise was doing more good than Wes's.) Here's Jeff going straight for a change. More practice . . . And even more. And, while surreptitiously sneaking up on a pair of oyster catchers, they taught me spelling was not the only challenge I had with that word.

Alafia River - March 20, 2010

We got a great break in the weather and had a beautiful day on the Alafia River. Here is the small group that noticed the weather forecast and joined us. And, there they go. Jan Fred We had this beautiful scenery all day. Ilene and Murray at the end. What should the caption for this photo be? How about, "Hey Murray, forget something?

Hillsborough River - 3-10-10 Private Tour

What a great day on the Hillsborough River.  There were tons of wildlife all along the way.

Here are Gabriele, Lena, Miguel, and Cruise.  They sure were fun to have along.

Still in the access creek and Gabby spots a turtle.

Then we headed up into the slough to look for gators.

And, this chap obliged.

A bit later we turned around and headed down stream.

Where we spotted this Black-Crowned Night Heron and lots of other birds.

We were enjoying the beauty and tranquility of the river, and wondering when we would stop for lunch.

Cruise was really happy when he heard lunch.

And he proved he enjoyed it,

then led the guests down stream again.

Did we mention birds?  Click on this photo to make it larger and check out all the birds.

When we got to stubby, we knew it was the end . . . of our wonderful eco tour.

Weeki Wachee Manatee Hunt 3/3/10

Most of the photos in this post were taken by Jeff White and Wes Eubank.  "Thanks, guys!"

The forecast was for Florida cold, lots of wind, and zero percent chance of rain.  Fat chance!  2 out of 3 isn't bad.  It was colder than we weather wimps are happy with, and quite windy.  But, we had plenty of extra fleece, some extra paddling jackets, and were protected from the wind by all the trees.  Now about that rain we were not going to get.  At the very outset we got just enough to dampen our spirits.  Yet, with concern in our expressions we kept on going.

And, going.

 

 And, going . . .              and, there was no more rain.

We kept on going until we came across a pair of manatees.  Some suspect they were mother and child.  But, I thought that was too easy, and they must be one regular and one midget manatee.  Check out the photos.  Can you tell who has it right?

 

 I'm sticking with the midget idea.

 

 The manatees seemed to take offense at the midget crack and the big one appeared to want to get even.  But, they ducked under and all was well.

So, we followed them for a bit, before stopping for lunch.

Doesn't it look like Rosemary is saying, "Come on Bruno, one more bite?"

And, then who crashed our luncheon?

 

It's the midget and the monster.

And, shortly thereafter, Rosemary must still be trying to get one more bite.  But, Bruno is happily keeping her away.

And, finally breaks free.

Here are some more of our cruise mates.

Is that Rosemary sneaking up on Bruno?

And, Jeff at the take-out, taking a rest after carrying all those kayaks up the hill.

He kind of looks like a fisherman with his catch, doesn't he?