I want to love kayaking, but kayaking does not love me

[Violet2]

Do you kayak? How do you evolve/develop as kayaker?

I thought I liked kayaking.

I had only ever tooled around on a perfectly placid pond.

In a big circle.

Until today.

I did a supposedly 'easy' two hour run.

It was horrible.

The first 1/3 was all submerged debris, stuff growing into the river from the bank and having to duck under fallen trees.

I capsized DH when he tried to help me navigate a fallen tree. He dropped the trunk on my neck in the process--long red skid mark from that.

I didn't really know how to steer so the constant zig zagging required by the debris was difficult. I 'bushed' myself a few times.

Then, I went to navigate around a family that had stopped for a break (and spread out to block 3/4 of the river) and I warned them that I was inexperienced and to watch out for me. Their boy shot out in front of me.

To spare him a collision I 'bushed' myself again and spent the next 10 minutes trying to extricate myself.

While the family calmly watched,chewing their lunch. They never offered to help or apologize. I was really really ticked.

Then they followed me and the kids tailgated right up my a$$, so now I had to steer and keep a lead on them to avoid more collisions. I had to warn them to stay back that I was not safe to be around. (I probably should've told them I capsized DH.) THankfully, they backed off.

I had no idea where DH was at this point either. I hadn't seen him since he had capsized b/c I didn't know how to stop. I knew he was okay, but also that he had capsized again trying to get back into the boat. I figured he hadn't drowned b/c other people were in the area with him. Also, the water was super shallow.

DH caught up with me an hour later (the other people had offered him some help). Thank goodness.

It just wouldn't end. Dh's kayak kept taking on water but we couldn't find a leak. The river was way shallow and we kept getting stuck and there were 3 portages (get out, haul the boat across a road and back into the water).

At least I finally mastered steering. Doubt I'll remember how though if there's a next time.

3 hours of hell, we were finally back where we started. I was so stressed, I was in tears at one point. Very not fun. I'm not a huge baby either, I've climbed active volcanoes (different skill set though, one I have!).

So is this normal for kayaking? Do I have some overblown fantasy of what kayaking is?

I keep thinking I like kayaking and that it would be a great outdoor sport to take up to keep me active, but maybe it's not for me?????

V

[e.naomisandoval]

Oh please, please take a lesson? I paddled whitewater C1 (looks like a kayak but it's a canoe, trust me) for years and I miss it but alas, live in a flat state now. I took lessons starting on flat water and then worked my way up. I have learned to roll a kayak. It's helpful if you're on white water.

The dangerous things on the river where you were are strainers. Steer clear! You can drown yourself getting entangled in stuff with minimal current if you manage to lean upstream and flip.

But seriously, get a lesson so you know the basic strokes and it's fun. I have never been great at jumping into new sports so I just always get lessons when starting out and then it can be fun. Even just a 15 minute talk helps. You should be able to go in basically a straight line and turn at will.

[Violet2]

I don't have easy access to lessons so maybe I will just stick to the big circle.

The debris was intense b/c you had to constantly steer, no coasting time, and make tight turns. And the river was maybe 20 feet wide. So when you had to zig zag you had to be very very fast. No room for error and then you had to duck under fallen trees at the same time. I had muscle cramps all through my fingers up to the tips from working the paddle so hard and fast.

Really a recipe for disaster with an outfitter who provides no training or warning other than it's an 'easy' run. Personally, I would've appreciated a heads up as my definition of easy is not theirs.

I didn't even realize there was a drowning hazard. I just thought, it's shallow, should be safe.

It was shallow enough that there was rarely enough water to roll. Flip on your side, but not roll under, kwim? Of course DH capsized in a deeper spot, but he didn't roll. Thank goodness.

At one point in my life I wanted to go ocean kayaking with whales and camping. I think that dream is dead.

V

[e.naomisandoval]

Wow. That sounds scary. I'm sorry that was your introduction. A lake would have been nicer. That's how I've always learned a new craft. On a nice, safe, flat, open lake.

[Violet2]

Originally Posted by e.naomisandoval

Wow. That sounds scary. I'm sorry that was your introduction. A lake would have been nicer. That's how I've always learned a new craft. On a nice, safe, flat, open lake.

Thank you for saying that. I was petrified but didn't know if I was out of line to feel that way or not. DH, of course, is a natural athlete and nothing bothers him so it was easy for him and he enjoyed it. Also, I am apparently the Amelia Bedelia of kayaking which was great entertainment for him.

Yes, flat and open were my definitions of easy.

V