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

Tuesday 15 February 2011

ENTRY 17 post race



The reason behind starting this blog was to help give a better insight into K1 flat water racing for those with no knowledge about the sport at all, when I first started with zero knowledge about racing other than I wanted to race I really struggled to find a huge amount of detailed information, and for what I did find with no knowledge meant little to me.
I hope Ive helped to give a basic view into this form of racing for those that may be interested in racing, or those with just a curiosity about it.


My only regret is not taking the sport up many years ago and for the last 2 years walking past my local club and not popping in, I have thourally enjoyed the last 5months and have made some nice friends and met a huge bunch of very helpful people and found a truly diverse hobby.


I have been lucky with my past involvements with sport in the younger days and some of the basics learnt then have helped, I would say I am of average fitness and have up until now smoked 20 cigarettes a day and I dont think I have faired too badly.
As with any sport to get to the top takes an awful lot of commitment and dedication, for some that suits for others personal fulfillment and enjoyment are top of the list, there truly is something for everyone at what ever level you want to compete at,
dont consider yourself fit enough!!!!!!!! canoeing is not a killer sport or activity, I would be flat on the floor half way if I had to run the distance we race over, canoeing is far more gentle on the body than say running, 
its also extreamlly amazing how quickly the body adapts and gets used to exercise, yeah you'll need some commitment to keep going but canoeing not like some solitary activity's and many on a club run with others many have not noticed or aware they may have covered 10 miles with ease.


Competition is not for everyone, and for those there are plenty of enjoyable day trips and weekends away, there seems to be plenty of trips being organised by most clubs, you wont be restricted to just your club, and for those that want something more exotic theres loads of canoeing and kayaking trips/holidays abroad, the only place ill leave alone with a wobbly K1 will be the Amazon, they seem to have some fish with very sharp teeth lol, as much as Im hooked with the racing side I have really enjoyed a couple of leisurely trips out, cant beet the English summer when it does get here, mi-randing down the river with a bunch of friends enjoying a natter and stopping somewhere for lunch.


For those wanting a something a little more white knuckle theres the white water canoeing, something I tried many many years ago in Wales, heart stopping sometimes and sometimes very challenging but extreamlly rewarding and exhilarating when completing a difficult section


For those that like something a little more traditional theres the Canadian open canoes, single and doubles, takes a bit of a knack getting used to paddling and steering one, may take 5 mins or a few days but great when youve mastered it, these boats are great too for those long trips.


You also have the sea, theres many that enjoy day trips out on specialist sea boats, and if you live near the sea youve got a fantastic resource right next to you, again if its racing you like theres a small group here in the UK that do the downwind ski canoe racing, looks pretty fun and if youve got a holiday booked in for New Zealand or Australia you'll find it very popular there, hope to see it get of the ground here, and hoping to be having a crack at a race later this year in the UK




I could go on all day about the various types of canoeing, best bet is find your local club and go and see, ask questions and have a go and give it a try, most come of the water with a big grin on their face :)


http://www.bcu.org.uk/ 


The best site to find local clubs and canoeing information inc 3rd party insurance






Sea Kayaking fishing White water rafting






Devizes to Westminster (6 part) 125 mile UK race









Slalom racing










Flat water racing  








Surf ski racing










Touring










Down wind sea racing (Ireland)










White water canoeing












Just for fun










play boating










white water tricks








C2 touring in Scotland










C1 high kneeler sprint racing










K4 sprint racing










Canoe sailing














 











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