Safety Course - Portsmouth Kayak Adventures
So my rock climbing girl buddies and I are set to go rock
climbing and kayaking in Acadia, ME in September. Only problem is I don't have
a kayak. So I figured I'd rent one. But there's gotta be more to just renting a
kayak. I mean, just how the heck do your use one? So I looked around for some
basic lessons and found Portsmouth Kayak Adventures. Their website has loads of
photos and well, they're a close drive for me. I was looking forward to
learning basic paddle strokes but more importantly, I needed to learn Wet
Exits, and Self-Rescue as well as Assisted Rescue techniques. So I signed up
for the $75 course and it fit the bill to a 'T'!
The morning of my lesson was pouring but I eagerly headed
up north as I didn't want to miss my lesson. When I got to PKA the rain had
stopped but it was still cloudy. I met with Kendall, paid my fee and signed
some paperwork. Kendall had me use a 14 feet Perception kayak and showed me how
to carry it into water and how to enter and exit. She showed me how to fit the
paddle to my armlength/stride and how to grip it. And she fit me for a PFD -
Personal Flotation Device.
We got into water and I found it very easy to paddle my
kayak. Kendall commented that I had a good stroke. The kayak can tip and roll,
but more so if you really lean over, as Kendall pointed out. I found that it
was wobbly as I hadn't gotten my centerpoint of balance. So I used the skeg and
that helped a great deal. We paddled across the harbor and I learned and
practiced paddle strokes for turning, backing up and stopping. I also learned
about blade placement.
We then paddled east to under the Sagamore Avenue bridge
and to a spot to practice wet exits and rescue techniques. Kendall demonstrated
a roll, wet exit and self rescue a couple of times, then it was my turn. I
admitted to Kendall that I was nervous about being upside down under water. But
she assured me that I would be alright and that she was right there for me. She
also assured me that my PFD would make me "pop up" out of the water! The
water was a bit chilly so I kept my (hiking) winter base layer top on over my
swimsuit.
I rolled into the water, exited my kayak and sure enough,
my PFD made me pop right out of the water! I righted my kayak, got back onto it
and used the portable pump like Kendall had demonstrated. I tell ya, pulling
yourself out of the water and onto your kayak isn't easy! Also, I had forgotten
to tap the sides of the kayak a couple of times before my wet exit. So in the
water I went again! This time I wasn't nervous rolling or being upside down
under water. Btw, tapping the sides of
your kayak when you roll under is a way to let others know that you have
capsized and are alright. To right your kayak push the end of the kayak up from
under water. As the tip of the kayak is out of water, quickly turn it over so
that the kayak is right side up.
After practicing self rescue technique a couple more
times Kendall demonstrated an assisted rescue technique called the "X
Rescue". When it was my turn to
play rescuer, Kendall capsized her kayak. I paddled up to her and grabbed one
end of her kayak and she grabbed the other end. As she pushed down onto her
end, I lifted my end up onto my kayak. I slid her kayak so that the cockpit was
right over mine (hence the "X") and let the water drain out into my cockpit.
Then I turned it over and slid it back into the water right up against to my
kayak. I made sure the stern of her kayak was up against the bow of mine, so
that I could make certain that she got back onto her kayak safely. To hold her kayak steady while she pulled
herself up I grabbed both sides of the cockpit while leaning most of my weight
onto her kayak. Kendall is my size so I
didn't have to put all my weight over her kayak to steady it. I'd probably have
to use all my weight for someone who is much heavier than me. The X Rescue
technique is useful to know in case you ever need to assist another kayaker who
has capsized.
As we paddled back to shore the sun came out. The 1.5
hour lesson went by quickly and Kendall was happy that I had fun during my lesson.
She explained about the different types of kayaks and recommended a kayak
length and brand for me. After changing out of my wet clothing, Kendall gave me
her business card with two brands of women's PFD style she recommended. I'd
like to get my own PFD, one with pockets to keep my keys and iPhone. I'm also hoping they come in a bright pink or purple color! :P Kendall
recommended Stoloquist and Lotus brands.
I would highly recommend this Safety Course. The folks at
PKA were friendly and professional and I plan to take more classes from them.
And I especially feel confident about renting a kayak for my trip to Acadia! :)
