Kayak for fitness and fun

Imagine yourself seated at water level, in a narrow cockpit, legs pressed out to the sides to stabilize your boat, and you are beginning to get the idea of kayaking. You need to engage your core and back muscles to paddle effectively. You turn the boat with your rudder and your paddle. You can go as fast or as slow as you like. The paddle is light, made from aluminum or fiberglass, with two blades on each end, spanning about 210 to 240 cm long. You need to orient it in the correct direction for effective paddling (the paddle blade has a name on it). You also need to hold the paddle gently (no death grip) with your elbows bent at your side. The rudder is like a tail-surface that you can extend and retract. You control the rudder with your feet using a system of pedals and cables. On the water, it’s quiet and sublime; swimming seals pop up next to you, wanting to play. There are shores to hug and explore, colourful starfish to marvel at, and if you are lucky, you will be see the jellyfish drift by you as you glide along the surf. Designed to remain stable, a kayak does not easily tip over (especially the heavy plastic ones). There are hidden dangers that you should be aware of: cold water (a forced plunge in water below 8 C can provoke hypothermia within minutes), tides and currents (currents between 1 to 4 knots are average, kayakers maintain an average speed of 3 knots) wind (has a drift effect) and weather. I highly recommend that you learn how to perform a rescue and self-rescue by taking a course. I booked a private lesson with Ecomarine and I am now confident in my skills and abilities. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot roll an ocean kayak very easily. Also it requires good strength and endurance to be able to perform a self-rescue.

There are many wonderful kayaking companies and tours out there to try: Ecomarine (Jericho and Granville Island) Deep Cove Kayaking and Rocky Point Kayaking. GAIA Adventures is offering an introduction to kayaking, women only, in Rocky Point Inlet (sheltered and fabulous) www.gaiaadventures.com. See you out there. Catherine D’Aoust, GAIA Adventures Fitness and Adventures for Women, www.gaiaadventures.com