Back to basics

Joined Liverpool Kayak Club and had my first session in the pool last night and my first attempt at trying to roll a Kayak.

After an hour I still could not roll the Kayak. I have got to practise in the garden, working on technique more than strength (This will only be happening after it goes dark :)

Training started - Kayaking the English Channel

Kayak bought, training begins.

Back in the gym and trying to fit the miles in on the kayak. Been training on the River Dee, longest session has been for 2 hours covering 8 miles on flat calm waters. Sore hand and shoulders.

Attempted to Kayak from Conway to Llandudno this weekend for my first time on the sea, but after 1 hour of being bashed by the waves in a force 4 - 5 , they got the better of me and over I went.

Luckily there was a man on the beach who saw me go over and very kindly phoned the coast guard to my embarrassment. Not the best start to my sea kayaking adventures.

On reflection I need proper training if I am going to complete this challenge. So I am in the local swimming pool tonight to learn how to roll.

Roll on the comforts of a swimming pool.

NEW CHALLENGE ON

Kayak across the channel - June 2014

This one will happen, fee's paid. I am looking for a charity to do this challenge for, any ideas.

Postponed

Unfortunately the charity has asked that the challenge be postponed as Just Giving and various other elements of the raising the profile of the charity are not going to be in place for the challenge.
New date April 2013. Apologies to those who were looking forward to the challenge.

2nd Lesson

Well, that wasn't too bad tonight, felt more at one with the canoe, got alot of priceless advice from members of the club and Keith is going to put a mention of the challenge and the charity on their web site.

Im going to go twice a week now as I need to get some hours in the canoe, as eight to ten hours canoeing a day is going to take some preparation for.

I learnt tonight that quite a few people fail this challenge with sprained wrists and pulled tendons and muscles, not good as my back and left wrist have been causing me  pain lately,  though thats more work related.

First Lesson

Well that's the first canoeing lesson over, I must have done about two miles maximum and my hands, thighs and shoulders are aching already....
It has made me realise that I need more hours on the water, there is alot more to it than I imagined like, foot pegs, knee braces and getting in and out of the canoe on your own is very tricky.
But, I enjoyed every minute of it, roll on 1st September...

Weh hey, Got a canoe, Liverpool Canoe Club kindly have agreed to loan me a canoe with accessories to do the challenge.....Thank you so much

They have also agreed to teach me how to canoe, one to one lesson with Ste next Tuesday to get used to canoe.