Subject: [baidarka] Time for Lessons / Was: Re:Thanks
From: Juan Ochoa (jochoa@ll.mit.edu)
Date: Wed Dec 05 2001 - 13:16:21 EST
hispaniola wrote,
>It was my first time ever in a kayak so I'm
>still trying to figure out how it all works. Apparently that wasn't it.
>Good way to learn to wet exit my new boat though.
Now that you have a beautiful hand-crafted kayak, it is time to "craft" the
paddler.
I cannot emphasize this strongly enough: You _need_ to get instruction on how
to paddle, how to learn the ocean, how to handle your boat, how to protect
yourself when things go badly.
The instruction could be formal, you pay at your local kayak store for __ hours
of a class or you can go out with others and learn as you go. It doesn't
matter which way you do it. It _does_ matter that you paddle with others who
have more experience. You can learn the hard way, but it could cost you your
life (and perhaps ruin the kayak). It is a _lot_ more efficient to learn from
others and considerably more fun. There are more than enough stories of
frightening close calls to tragic screw-ups by inexperienced paddlers. BTW, I
still count myself as inexperienced, depending on the conditions.
I'm sure most any of us on the List would be happy to guide you along the way.
The only problem is our various geographic locations. If you are in the
Northeast, I'll be happy to take you out on the water and teach you what I
know.
______________________________________
Juan Ochoa
Harvard, MA
jochoa@ll.mit.edu
(978)456-6916
(781) 981-0602 FAX
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