So this was shortly after the watch change and the first opportunity to get on the water one afternoon for a couple of hours in Plymouth. For no particular reason I used a club boat (a short cove boat, similar to my B2 which turns 180 degrees with only one edge). I did, however, take my shiny (for me) new Werner Shuna paddle (set to 45% and 115cm).
*Photo: Terry Calcott
Two groups went out for a paddle: a recreational group that headed down the east side of the strait and a group of 7 of us who opted to do some training. We were led through some pre-launch stretches (these are really good, I really should do them more often), as well as some stretches in the boat (you should also practice the one that stretches behind you to the opposite side of the kayak). We went over the basics (connections, stance, power transfer and feel). Although we did some turning exercises, including cross bow rudders, the highlight of the afternoon was jumping rocks with our eyes closed, verbally guided by an oppo. Needless to say, the swell was light. However, I had noticed earlier that with the wind and tide in the same direction (high tide was at 16:00), we were moving really fast every time we stopped to talk as a team). We also paddled 10 strokes with my eye closed and I was surprised how much I was drifting even though I thought I was going completely straight.
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It makes me smile, when I see it.