Winter oasis

It may look like we took one of those Florida vacation packages and headed for warmer weather. Actually, we waded through snow piles to get to the local high school pool. The kayak club does a free Saturday kayak practice every year about this time, to pick up students for their Jan. - March classes. Than and Collin got to do this before, and were all ready to go when I went to pick them up this morning. It was Lee's first experience with the pool scene.
Thanks to Anne and Matt a few years back, the boys are all crazy about kayaks...Santa gets pestered every year. The kayak club has some really great folks who like to work with the kids. There'a always an almost 1 -1 ratio, instructors to students at this session. Brave people, to get in that pool with a bunch of paddle-wielding amateurs.
First, instructions. Getting the right fit of boat, paddle and driver.

Here's Lee, with TWO instructors - notice they have helmets on - for good reason!

The students are turned loose for about 45 minutes to play, then they raft up at the shallow end. The instructors give some fun demonstrations and good tips.

That should have been ME in the kayak next to Lee. Except I can't get IN one. My poor 'ol knee just won't do the bend into it, and if I ever had to bail out I'd be in trouble....

Lee picked up the rhythm easily, and practiced backing and turning. One of the instructors taught him a nifty sweep stroke for shorter faster turns.







This was an interesting boat. As you can see, right now it is just frame, covered with plastic. The guy is making it from scratch. It's what they call an Iceland boat, note the different shaped paddle. He was testing it for balance in the water today, before putting the skin on. He was making this one for his brother-in-law.

It was weird seeing him out in the middle of the pool in this plastic-covered frame, looked like he was sitting in the water. You wouldn't think the plastic would hold up - but then there's all the duct tape. Wonderful stuff, that duct tape...wonder if it was the "Duck Tape" brand??







This guy was using some hand paddles. From his helmet, I can tell he is a white water fan...all the boats for the pool work are used in rivers and small lakes. You need a longer, more bouyant sea kayak to go out on Lake Michigan. The small boats are more difficult to keep going in a straight line. That was one of the things they had all the students practice in the pool.

This little red boat is a new style of sport boat, it will stand right on end in fast water. The guys loved playing with it. But you have to have small feet, or not wear oversize water shoes...reminded me of a Ruddy Duck, with that up-dip nose!

Some of the demos involved how to recover from overturns, and handle emergencies on the water, the distress signals, and how to help a boat in trouble.

The two hours went by really quickly. Lee was actually getting tired, towards the end.

But they were still the last ones out....

Rafted up for a final photo - what a fun outing!

Collin's egg money is going into a special bank labeled "kayak".