Oh god, kayaking

Hmm, I assume the K1s will be K1 marathon racers, so fast but not particularly stable (ask the submersible Jamie :D). The tourer will be sit in, but probably have a huge cockpit so won't feel constricting, will go quite fast and may have a rudder or skeg to help you go in a straight line.
The GP kayaks are likely to be dancers or falchions or similar. Personally I would go for that. It would do 90% of what a tourer will do, but you can take it out on the sea or river or anything else you fancy (hence the name). The cockpits tend to be smaller so worth practicing getting in and out til you're confident.

Just got back from Lakes. Canoe was mint (sorry I have caught that word off my son). Kids loved it. Thanks for all the advice!

(Oh did a litte bit of walking too).

(And got a bit of running in). :D

Hey Grouse,

Which lake did you test the canoe on and how far did you go. I have not forgot our canoe date just got a few Canoe races coming up in the coming weekends.

Jamie

Hi Jamie. Went on Ullswater from bank opposite Hallin Fell, Then went over to Derwent water and paddled round Friars Crag, from Park Foot Campsite at Pooley Bridge - nearly went on the rocks there an had to bit of rapid paddling to get back out into the lake (oops) and went on Windermere from Bowness round the marina near the ferry. Felt quite confident and the kids loved it. 'Combi' paddles worked well, as I coud use single paddles with older child and double blade with younger child who was content to sit at the front and play pirates. I am working on my 'J' stroke. ;) Really enjoyed it.

Did you fall in?

No. But we did have a swim in Windermere. It was cold.

Sounds wicked Marg, when I'm done with baggging wainwrights I plan to paddle each lake.

Do you fancy the race in Chester this Sunday

Can't even do Padfield Plum Fair this Sunday Jamie. Family do I have to go to.

I like the idea of a bit of a tour, I want to take my son up and down Windermere over two days and camp one ned. I think the sevy is up to it but there won't be a lot of luggage space, there again I'm use to travelling light. Don't know if it is best to go north - south or south to north, I suppose I would need to have a look at the prevailing currents and winds as well as campsites.

Glad you got fixed up - a good camping trip would be Ullswater from Pooley Bridge to the Glenridding end, there is a campsite opposite Glenridding steamer pier (plus one in the village, but thats a short walk/carry) or for wild camping the bay about a mile before the first campsite has always looked tempting to me. Or you could start at Glenridding and there are several campsites close to or by the water near the Pooley Bridge end. My wife and me paddled Windermere earlier this year - there is a surprising shortage of places to land (a lot of the shoreline is 'private') and/or likely camping sites. Just got back from a few weeks sea kayaking near Arisaig (on the way to the Ben) - Basking sharks, seals, an otter, fresh mackerel - thoroughly recommended! Lots of rain though. We paddled our sevylor here last year and it did very well but our new boat (nautiraid 500 folding kayak) let us extend our horizons a bit.

Thanks Cougar, Hadn't thought of Ullswater. Sevy was great by the way, thanks for the recommendation. Gave me a bit of a feel for canoeing and paddling. Really fancy doing some kayak touring after bumping into some kayakers at Loch Tarbert who were touring Jura and the Isles.

Ah proper kayaking, none of this messing around on lakes and canals ;)
The Garvellachs are a special place, you can only really get to by kayak. Just watch out for that big hole near Scarba :p

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Originally Posted by Grouse

Thanks Cougar, Hadn't thought of Ullswater. Sevy was great by the way, thanks for the recommendation. Gave me a bit of a feel for canoeing and paddling. Really fancy doing some kayak touring after bumping into some kayakers at Loch Tarbert who were touring Jura and the Isles.

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Try and get hold of a copy of 'The canoe Boys' - it was out of print but I think it has been recently republished. If you want any touring inspiration this is it! Cumbria Libraries had a copy a couple of years ago, might still have it. Its the SMOTS of sea kayaking except its not about stats or history - just about two young lads making an incredible journey up the west coast with very basic kit and lots of porridge!

I've read that (while living a stones throw from Mingulay :)). Blazing Paddles is almost as good, and very funny. In fact you can still come across Brian doing up the Black Houses in the Uists.

Race at Chester tommorow for me, now then do I go in my new boat and risk falling in and coming last but having a faster race if I stay upright

Or do I go in the slow tank of a boat, stay upright but get past by all the people with faster boats and good balance.

Uhm

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Originally Posted by NotOnUrHelly

Race at Chester tommorow for me, now then do I go in my new boat and risk falling in and coming last but having a faster race if I stay upright

Or do I go in the slow tank of a boat, stay upright but get past by all the people with faster boats and good balance.

Uhm

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New boat gets my vote!

Go for fast and unstable, and ask your mate to take a cam. We could all enjoy this!

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Originally Posted by Pudgy

I've read that (while living a stones throw from Mingulay :)). Blazing Paddles is almost as good, and very funny. In fact you can still come across Brian doing up the Black Houses in the Uists.

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And 'Dancing with Waves' enjoyed that too, I did hear he was about to produce yet another book. I also liked 'A boat in our baggage' I once borrowed a book from the library that I have never been able to find since and I cant remeber the title - it was about a chap doing a solo trip in NW Canada or above over about three summers, he was a tad eccentric (planted a pink flamingo on a stick outside his tent every night I think) - but the book was fascinating. I've never been able to find it since, anyone any ideas what it is?

Had a bit of Nightmare at the race on Sunday on the Dee, I opted for the stable and slower boat. I was pushing for Third place in my division with about 1/4 of a mile to go on a 4 mile race.

A large pleasureboat came past and kicked up a right wash. It sent me flying in, I was suprised that I could stand up in the middle of the Dee. By the time I had got myself to the bank, emptied my boat and got back in everyone had passed me. I came in last in my division.

Did someone say Kayaking was good.

Jamie

No, don't think so. Somebody did say write an article about your trip to Finland for next month's Dash though... ;)

Im getting a bit nervy about the cold nights drawing in and training through the winter.

Can anyone recommend a wetsuit that would keep me warm if I fell in during the winter but would not be to uncomfortable to train effectively in.

I currently have a cheapo shorty £18 that I bought to do a bit of body boarding in cornwall.

Im thinking triathlon type suit winter job but dont know where to start looking and how much to pay.

Cheers
Jamie

Try a long john type wet suit, notonursmelly. Covers legs and torso, but leaves your arms free. Combine that with a semi dry top and its not a bad combination. Get them pretty cheap anywhere, decathalon, maybe even argos. Not sure about second hand though I used to pee into all of mine :D

Ok, one more thing for this race on Saturday.

It's shorter than the one I was originally doing, it's something like 800yd sea swim (arse), 20 mile bike, 6 mile kayak and 6 mile run.

The kayaking is in a canal, but I don't know how deep it is. You don't have to wear a buoyancy aid for it, but then again they have trusted you to swim in the sea without sinking.

Thing is, what do I do if I fall in? I mean apart from spluttering, and splashing ineffectually, and doing my Tourettes thing.

Can you get back in the boat thing easily ? (I'm borrowing a "general purpose" boat, which I'd like to think means it has things like a kettle on board, but I'm not sure).

Or do you have to look pathetic (I'm good at that) until someone rescues you?

Ta lots.

I would wear a BA - keeps you warm! And good habit - helps you get to the surface if you fall out! Boats easy to get back into if it's something you have done before otherwise you could just keep flipping back over again!! SOunds like it would be fun to watch! If you fall out get to the surface - Empty your boat which can be v hard on your own - Or if there isn't much water in it just jump back in. Lean over grab far side of cockpit, flick your legs, jump and splash lot and wiggle yourself back in!!

I think not falling out of your boat is your best option Mud! Or else, just look pathetic until rescued?:D:D

Yeah the Tourettes thing. Did that recently when i got lost. You won't find any of those place names on the map, that's for sure. It's always worth a go, esp if you find yourself up a certain creek without a certain implement.

Good luck!

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Originally Posted by vburke

If you fall out get to the surface

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That is my number-one-top-tip for Saturday.

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Originally Posted by vburke

Empty your boat which can be v hard on your own - Or if there isn't much water in it just jump back in. Lean over grab far side of cockpit, flick your legs, jump and splash lot and wiggle yourself back in!!

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Thanks for this, the far side of the cockpit bit sounds like something I may be able to remember.

Ideally, I'm hoping that I won't fall in at the transition point where everyone is watching. Although that would mean I had some little helpers present. Once they'd stopped laughng.

Actually, I think I may practise the getting-back-in-thing when I get into bed in a minute.

Mud,

Canals are not usually that deep (up north anyway). I fell in the Bridgewater at Runcorn on Friday. A number of startled fishermen where really concerned for me. I just waved and said dont worry it happens all the time.

If you are on a canal and are felling unstabe it might be a good idea to paddle close to the bank for a quick get out - empty - carry on, consequence of this is the fact that if there are other boats close by in the race all of the wash (swell caused by them) ripples at the side and makes the side rougher than the middle. Catch 22 really.

If nobodys about, bank hang then if you go in its quicker to get out. If there is a lot of boats get in the middle to have less chance of going in cos of wash.

And please if there are any canal barges be sure to over take them they only go 4mph (come on your faster than that), I love racing them.

Give us a full report on how things go, good luck.

Jamie

Hurrah, I didn't fall out! Thank you for all the advice.

It was all a bit emotional at times, because I couldn't get the flipping boat to go in a straight line. One of the nice spectators said that the most positive thing about my boat was that it would be great for taking in the surf afterwards.

It was certainly the nearest I've come to being last in a race (not helped by a lot of entrants doing it as a relay; one person for swimming and kayaking, one for bike and run).

But, I did have a play in a proper boat afterwards, and it was reassuring that I could make that go in the right direction.

1:25:00 for six miles, Jamie, so I'd have only just beaten your canal barges (and seeing as most of the time I was going sideways, I may not have been able to squeeze past them).

Fighting the boat for that long has also left with me some lumps and brusies in strange places - I'm hoping some of those have gone before Langdale.

Anyway, there's a longer report on the blog in my signature if you like, and thanks again for the help everyone.

Nice report Mud and glad you managed to stay dry, they are a bugger to steer are'nt they. Im forever getting b****ed off the group for using the wrong side of the river and getting in the way.

That times pretty good, you probably did more than six mile with all the meandering.

Was it a sea kayak?

Did a ten mile session last night, I'm back to a more stable boat which means I can train harder without worrying about capsizing. Im getting fitter and its keeping me sane whilst not running.

Half way through the session it was lights out as it went dark, this is a whole new ball game. You cant see the waves and the temperature drops as well as logs become invisible. Good fun though.

Well Done
Jamie

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Originally Posted by Grouse

Ordered a Colorado. Yippee! Need some buoyancy aids maybe wetsuit type thingies too but know nowt about them. Any tips?

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Hi Grouse

How did you get on last summer with your Colorado? Seriously thinking about buying one to use this summer. Any helpful tips greatly appreciated!