Long Forgotten Muscle Groups
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,443
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,443 |
My wife and I bought our Kayaks on Memorial Day weekend. We have been spending a fair amount of time on the water - but this past weekend we took the basic techniques and safety course. Practiced both Saturday and Sunday maintaining the "Paddler's Box" and not "Chicken Winging". In a nutshell, this involves a lot of core rotation to make use of more than just your arms in paddleing. Also in a nutshell, I can barely move today without lots and lots of pain. Also - in the course, I was the only one that volunteered to go into the water and be rescued. We did both and assisted "T" rescue and an unassisted "rescue yourself" recovery. I was able to accomplish both - but what really got me was that no one else wanted to get wet? My thought is that I did not want the first time I went swimming unintentionally to be without the direction and oversight of a qualifed instructor??? The rescue part was the last part of a 4 hour course. There was one guy there - maybe 8-10 years younger than me. His wife did not participate staying on shore. As the class was breaking up, he paddled on off to the landing area. A few minutes later, he shows back up, sheepishly, and says he was "told" he had to get wet. I laughed inside while I stayed and watched the proceedings. He only did an assisted rescue though.....
"A fanatic is someone who can't change his mind and won't change the subject" Churchill
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Re: Long Forgotten Muscle Groups
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955 |
Sounds like you are well on your way. Practicing rescues can be fun, as long as the water is warm.
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
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Re: Long Forgotten Muscle Groups
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 92
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 92 |
The evil DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). On days I blast my muscles or when I first start lifting from a long hiatus I experience that crippling pain. Strangely, its worse not on the day after, but always 2 days later. Good job getting into it and not being a land lubber, the pain will only make you a better kayaker!
M60, VP150, QS8, HSU VTF2-MK 3, Marantz SR8002, Oppo BDP-83SE, 50" Panasonic Plasma
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Re: Long Forgotten Muscle Groups
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,443
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,443 |
After learning a bit about proper paddling technique, I was practicing my rotation so that I am using more than just my arms. The side benefit is that I am more flexible now and can actually turn when backing the car rather just a cursory turn of my head. Who woulda known?
"A fanatic is someone who can't change his mind and won't change the subject" Churchill
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Re: Long Forgotten Muscle Groups
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786 |
Once you get that rotation thing going, kayaks really are a breeze to paddle.
Fred
------- Blujays1: Spending Fred's money one bottle at a time, no two... Oh crap!
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Re: Long Forgotten Muscle Groups
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441 |
One tip that really helped me with paddling efficiency -- besides making sure your thighs and feet have solid contact with the hull and footpegs -- is that when you want to be going in a straight line, you never really want to draw the paddle back past your body. You should reach the paddle as far forward as possible/comfortable and draw back only to where you're sitting. Any further and your energy will go into turning the boat.
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