Remember around this time last year, when I signed up for and completed a 2 day kayaking skills course?
Well, that was the first and last time I was out on the water on my kayak for that season, due to the throbbing, pulsing pain in my right leg that happened if I remained in a seated position for too long. This pain had started the previous winter, making any road trip of more than 30 minutes duration very painful and making kayaking damn near impossible. A specialist figured it could be degenerative disc disease (Mom had this) and suggested an MRI. Then the pain slowly faded as inexplicably as it came on, although my right leg behaves a bit differently than my left leg, still. (The MRI is on hold, should the pain come back.)
Anywho… I signed up for a 2 hour self-rescue clinic this spring with the incredible Caroline Ross of Crosscurrents Kayak – with hopes of being able to get out on the water more soon and feeling the need for a rescue refresher first. Caroline’s tagline from her website is Up your skills. Up your confidence. Up your fun, and I’m thrilled to say she delivered on all three “ups”, for me!
I had 1 overarching goal for this session – to learn to use the stirrup I had purchased to get me back into my boat. I was thinking this would be easier than the heel hook re-entry, and result in less wear-and-tear (aka pretty terrific bruising) on my thighs. *Spoiler alert * – I did complete this goal and realized that I actually prefer the heel hook re-entry, and yes…I do have some pretty terrific bruising, once again. Hmmm, maybe I should learn how to roll???? 🤔
We were also instructed to try the scramble method of getting back into the kayak – this did not work for me, but I was more than happy to be able to use either the heel hook or stirrup to get myself back into my boat, with my trusty paddle float acting as an outrigger. I’m sorry I don’t have any photos or video of this to show you but there are plenty of videos on YouTube if you want to know what these self-rescues look like. And there are some photos on the post that I have linked, above.
The last exercise of the day was a balance challenge. We went out into deep water and were challenged to get out of the cockpit and onto our back decks and back into our seats again, without flipping our boats. And, if we did flip…Congratulations! You get to do another self-rescue! I did not think I would be successful but it’s amazing what you can do when you really don’t feel like doing yet another self-rescue 🤣.
Caroline was snapping pics and graciously shared them with me.
The rush that comes with pushing yourself beyond what you think is physically possible is something that I haven’t felt in a long while and something I want to feel more of. I’ve missed this!
Many, many thanks to Caroline Ross for providing me with such excellent instruction and coaching, and for the opportunity to see what this old body is still capable of.
Rock on, and keep those elbows up!
The WB
Good job. Kayaks look like a lot of fun, though I’ve never tried it. Having nearly drowned a few times, I prefer dry-land adventures. I hope your health holds up well enough to keep getting out on the water for more kayaking adventures.
Thank you very much, TG 💕 I would not be fond of water sports either, with your experiences.
I have kayaked before but if I fell out I’d be toast (soggy toast, that is). Smart to learn the correct way to save yourself. I hope your right leg continues to feel better!
Thank you very much, Janis 💕 I’d prefer to know what happened to my leg but since that’s not a possibility right now, I’m just glad it’s eased off.
I envy you that level of physicality. My knee would never tolerate a kayak, but it sure looks like fun!
It’s fun, for me anyways! Thanks, Rivergirl 💕
Congratulations! It feels good to pass any test of strength, endurance, or conditioning at this stage of life. I played tennis for 2 1/2 hours in the heat and humidity yesterday and didn’t die. But, there is no way I could get myself back into that kayak. Awesome!
Congratulations to you too! I can’t tolerate heat well anymore, so I couldn’t do what you did. Thanks, Suzanne 💕
Good for you! Hopefully you’ll get out more this year. A long time ago I was part-owner of a 2 seat kayak. Lots of fun times. I lost custody of it in a divorce. 🙁
Oh, that’s too bad! In the kayaking world some people call 2 seaters “divorce boats”. I think they test relationships 😉. Thanks, Kate 💕
🙂
Wow, what an adventure! Congratulations for achieving your goal. What fun!
Thank you very much, Jean 💕
That’s pretty cool. I have a question though. Why or what situation would make you want to lift yourself out of the cockpit onto the back deck? What would that skill be useful for? I was in Alabama a couple weeks ago and went out in our kayak. It’s just a small, open sit in kayak, so no deck to sit on. But I did discuss with my brother that if I tipped it over I didn’t think I’d be able to right it from in the water, nor would I be able to get back in it. Which is why I kayak along the shore of the lake, I figure I could swim to shore dragging it and start again there. But maybe I need better skills!
Getting into your boat from the back deck is part of a “scramble” re-entry, which I wasn’t able to achieve. In a scramble aka cowboy, you reach for deck lines on the far side of boat and pull the back deck underneath your torso, then straddle with your legs and make your way to the cockpit. I wasn’t able to pull the boat under my body – not enough strength – but now I know if I get strong enough, I could complete a re-entry that way. Great question! Thanks, Dawn 💕
Hi, Deb. What a powerful reminder of how much joy can come from showing up, trying again, and surprising yourself. I love how honestly you shared the challenges and triumphs — it’s not just a kayaking update, it’s a celebration of persistence, resilience, and rediscovered confidence. <3 <3 <3
Thank you very much, my friend 💕 It was and is a powerful reminder of that joy! Well said!
A true badass for sure!
So happy to have found your comment! Thank you very much, Paula 💕
Wow Deb! Seriously impressed not only with what you achieved but that you decided you were going to achieve it. I take my (metaphorical) hat off to you.
Thank you very much, Debs 💕
Way to push yourself Deb, wonky leg and all! Now, fingers crossed, you will be set to have more adventures this year!
That’s the plan! Thank you very much, Bernie 💕
Hi again, Deb (for me, my comment became lost, or in spam, or something?) I will resend and hope it sticks 🙃 Hi Deb, You are always an inspiration, since you are a ‘doer’ despite aches and pains and challenges. ‘Rescue, refresher …’ sounds like a good idea for everyone in general. Ha, ha … whatever it takes to stay on the kayak … Good point on the zippers. Great photos! Good on you, Deb! Sending you pain free vibes in your direction. (we do not have to walk too far on our date if walking is a challenge?) See you soon. 💕 Erica
Looking forward to our upcoming walk! Thank you very much much Erica, for your kind words 💕
Excellent Deb – well done you … and what fun and adventure you had … not something for me – as I prefer to be dry! Delighted you so enjoyed this upgraded temptation to the bod … cheers Hilary
Thank you very much, Hilary 💕 It was good fun and a bit of an adventure!