Well I never got to do what I planned in the end lol.
Getting quite a conflict on what others say where I should be heading next, one side says just get into the next boat up and worry about technique later, with the idea that if I get the technique on the lower boat I wont want to move to the next boat up, and ill be stuck in that boat throughout the winter
The other side says no, stay in the one you're comfortable with and get the technique right before moving up.
Both sides have merit, perhaps the latter makes more sense, but too I can see getting too used to something you wont want to move up especially as the waters getting colder.
So a compromise, ill get my technique in the lower boat sorted but on each session dedicate quite a lot of time in the next boat up and be prepared to get wet before the water gets too cold.
OK did just that tonight, next boat up and about 3 dunkings, every time when I slow to turn, straight line not too bad, like I said before it was a knife edge boat to me once and it's feeling a lot better, aint giving up on this one too easy.
Had a few minute's on the Ergo machine (indoor machine) with another member, my stroke wasn't really resembling what the top guys were doing and I was having trouble getting it right and using my arms too much, you'll always find the penny drops at some point and I've now found for me it was simply a case of locking my arms straight at the elbow, this forces the torso movement which is giving a lot of power to each stroke together with the leg and arms,
the catch (where the paddle enters the water) should be from fairly high and like stabbing something, mmmm E'x's do have a use lol.
Back out on the water I've now got something that resembles along the lines of a racing technique, definitely faster, and a few more muscles used, now its down to practice.
Had a go at a few race starts with some of the others, quite amazing what don't come together when you push it hard, caused a few wobbles and found the boats steering does get effected when some boats are ahead from their wakes, again practice and more practice :)
The beginning
At 47 most would regard you over the hill as an athlete, hopefully I can prove that's not always the case, and Ive got a few more puffs of steam left yet.
Ive chosen the fantastic sport of K1 Kayak marathon racing for my last ditched attempt of a physical endurance sport before I fall the wrong side of the hill.
The last time I did any Kayaking was well over 20 years ago, technology has made vast improvements in construction and weight saving, paddle technology too has gone a long way in deign and efficiency, but the overall concept has changed very little.
I have chosen to enter the Devizes to Westminster race Easter 2011, raced in a solo K1 its a race against the clock over 125miles of the Thames river, with 77 portages (get out of your boat and carry it around locks etc) over a period of 4 days,
if raced in a K2 (2 man) then its a race non stop from start to finish inc. through the night, advertised as one of the worlds toughest Kayaking races it not only tests your fitness and stamina, but your mental endurance as well together with the help of a good ground crew providing support with food and water.
Have a look at the posted YOU TUBE 6 part documentary to get a better idea of how tough this race can be, and for a laugh there's a couple of videos showing how difficult it can be trying out a K1 kayak for the first time.
I'm planning to enter one of the winter 6 race series starting on the 7th November to help towards the Devize race, my general fitness is OK and quite reasonable for endurance, perhaps bordering insane to take this on, got a feeling I'm going to be feeling some pain along the way.
I am smoking but that has another 7 days before I stop, aghhhh I have to :( I'm getting so much grief from my boys so all in all it'll be a good thing and a few more coins in my pocket.
Technique does play a major part in this sport, but fitness and training can't be ignored, so much to achieve in a short time, where to start I haven't a scooby yet or what other training away from Kayaking will help, another whole ball game to look at and plan.
The K1 Kayaks have a stability rating of 1 to 10, 1 being the least stable, the less stable they are the faster they go, that is if youre staying in the boat that is.
I'm comfortable on a 5, but the difference between the 5 and 4 seem a big step, the width (beam) is even narrower, if you can imagine trying to keep upright on a uni cycle for the first time then you're getting near how difficult it can be, once you're moving it's a little more stable, well that is until your co-ordination goes haywire then it seems to remind you you're on a tight rope and the ejection seat is getting ready to dump you overboard,
I keep being told its like learning to ride a bike all over again, mmmmm seems a lot harder than I remembered, so looks like practice and more practice will be the order of the day,
the club have told me as soon as I'm comfortable with the current boat ill be put on the next faster boat, heck the one I'm on is like balancing on an ice skate, the next one was like balancing on a knife blade aaaagghhhh
Im going to use this blog as a diary entry to show how I get on and some useful information about the K1 & K2 kayak marathon and sprint racing as I go, and my preparation for the Devizes to Westminster race, it should be a laugh and hopefully some may find it useful starting the sport themselves, or perhaps what not to do!!.
Feel free to add comments and any advise on any of the subjects I may be failing on, that'll be ALL to start with !!! lol
Tip's and hints will continually be added to entry 18
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