Sticks & Shovels Day
Twelve of us met at CIH today for a wet practice day. The Pond was finally clear of the dreaded bottom sucking machine known as The Dredge. Prior to launching, we had a short safety briefing where we discussed how easily shoulders can get injured. I knew that Randy Alcorn was going to meet us later and he has been unable to paddle for 6 months because of a shoulder dislocation and complications he suffered while trying to do a paddlefloat roll.

We finally all headed out to The Pond. It was an easy paddle because there was a mild off shore wind blowing. We all paired up into groups. Several were practicing bracing, others were trying to roll, and several others headed off to the 5 - 6 foot surf that was hitting the beach beyond The Pond.

Beth Powis hit two rolls perfectly. This was the first time she was able to roll her Tempest and she really had a big grin on her face. Paul Chiang is a very new paddler. The first time I met him was two months ago on the Tall Ships paddle that Len Goodman hosted in LA Harbor. That was Paul's 2nd time in a kayak. Today he was doing rolls with a partially inflated paddlefloat. There was so little air in it, I bet he didn't really need it, but psychologically he thought he did.

Chris Wood and I were both regressing on our rolls. I was trying to use a GP stick and I have never been able to roll with one. I finally found that I was lifting my head too soon. With a Euro paddle, I can overcome that sloppiness in technique. With the GP, it seemed to me that technique is really important. Well back to watching the video a few more times and getting back out and practicing some more.

I also tried using a breathing tube that I purchased in a silent auction. This is a three foot tube that has a mouthpiece with several one way valves that you can stuff through your skirt and breathe the air from inside your boat when necesseary. Sounds easy until I tried it. I exhaled to have room in my lungs for some air, and then couldn't overcome the pressure of the water in order to breathe. I finally breathed in a big mouthful of water. I used one hand to furiously pound for a bow rescue and the other hand was simultaneously popping my skirt for a wet exit. Beth was not able to get to me quite fast enough. Chris was on the other side of me and he was there (I wasn't expecting that), and he said if I had used both hands to search for a boat instead of popping the skirt, I would have been able to grab his bow. Of course I told Chris, that with 1/2 a lung full of water, clear thought was not possible while underwater.

Chris, Paul C, Beth and I quit about an hour before the rest of the group. None of wus were at 100%. Chris and I headed towards Daddy-O's where the rest of the group met us when they finished.

In spite of the frustrations, it was still a fun day on the water and I personally got to improve my other GP skills.

Steve Holtzman

Submitted on December 19, 2004