Last paddle of the year...
After the past two BCU 4 star training sessions, Jen decided to offer an assessment for Jane and myself. We were both in shock. Were we even ready? Yikes! So on Saturday, we met up at Aqua Adventures and began finishing out our 4 star 'kit': Dry bag for me, repair kits for our boats, knife, first aid kit, hypothermia kit, charts. After four stores, we had our needed gear.
We met on Monday morning at Aqua Adventures, ready for a a long day on the water. We dressed and loaded our boats. Jen started us out by discussing the planned route: down the river channel, spend some time at Dog Beach, then head down Sunset Cliffs, land at No Surf Beach, then return back to the shop. As we launched into the river, she had us estimate how long to reach the end of the channel and how we would arrive at that value. (10 minutes for those scoring at home).
As we arrived at Dog Beach, the surf was a bit larger than the training session, but very manageable where we were. So Jen had us repeat the same skills: paddling parallel to the incoming surf, spin in the surf, demonstrate surf control. After completing these skills with no problems, we then turned our attention to launching through the bigger stuff. We sat back and watched the incoming sets. Most sets seemed within the 2-3 foot range, but there were bigger sets that would pass in. We stayed close the jetty to offer some shelter from the sets. Jen led us out, with me to her left, and Jane to my left. We were about 2/3's out when a 4-5 footer comes rolling its ugly head straight at us. Jen punches through, and I set up to try to punch through. I point my paddle forward and lean toward my bow. The force of this wave pushed my torso almost backwards onto my back deck. I snap back upright, land a low brace on the left, and begin to drive out of the backwash. Jen's yelling at me to paddle faster. I pop over a small wave and am in the clear. Jen has me go wait outside of the breakers, as Jane was not as lucky.
After 20 minutes of bobbing in the swells, and having my heart settle down, and turned the kayak around and began looking for Jen and Jane. I figured it would take a bit to relaunch and wait for a chance to try again. I wanted to keep an eye out for boat traffic. I soon spotted them. I gave them a paddle signal to spot me. We soon regrouped and swapped stories about that launch. We realized that although we had made a plan for the launch, we did not specifically talk about what to do if one of us could not make it out. With this small group and the experience, we concurred that it would not have been an issue. I mentioned that if I felt enough time had passed and Jen had not rejoined me (figured she would be able to paddle out), then I would head back in the channel (avoiding the surf), and consider landing on the jetty to communicate.
We then headed down the coast, focusing on charts and navigation. We discussed ways we can identify the current's direction (kelp, buoys). As we neared "No Surf" beach, it was clear that we were not landing there. After a small break, we headed back north to continue the assessment. The wind was picking up slightly, but the seas seem to be settling a bit. The forecast had mention that a Santa Ana was forming, so we were keeping an eye on the wind.
We rounded the north end of the jetty to find some 'bumpy water'. Jen's plan was to have us demonstrate some boat handling and our rescues here. Jane did a wonderful 360 in her boat. I had more trouble. This type of water is my weakest paddling skill. I made my spin, but it was not nearly as comfortable as it should have been.
So now it was time for some rescues. Jen had us move in fairly close to the jetty. She stood on guard in case we drifted too close. I opted to go swimming first. I flipped over, tried a roll (which failed, as I rushed it). I hopped out. BRRRR!! Since I don't own a dry suit, I had just my wet suit, my semi-dry top and a long sleeve fleece (and new booties). Jane came right over and did a fine job of getting me back in my boat. Once I was settled in, it was my turn. Jane worked through a few skills, braces, and a roll, before swimming. I raced in and grabbed her boat. Jane swam to my stern, despite me telling her to go to my bow. I dumped the water, slid the boat off my spray skirt and swung it around. Jane hopped right in and was good to go.
Jen then had me demonstrate some of my skills: low brace, high brace, sculling, draws. When it was time to go swimming again, I opted to try a high brace on the right. I pushed it too far, I then did a quick scull to pop me up to grab a good breath, then tucked back down for an extended paddle roll. I popped right up, slid the paddle back into position and braced on the left to regain my balance. Jen was impressed by the connection of the strokes.
But alas, I still had to plop back in the water. So over I went. I opted not to try anything in order to save my elbows. They were sore for almost a week after the last training, so I was very cautious about them. Jane plucked me out, but there was still a bit of water in the boat. Her boat has a low deck and when she slid the boat back off her skirt, it was still on it's side so it got some water back in. My arms also had filled with some water inside my jacket. We pumped some of the water out and I drained my arms as best I could. Jen threw a tow line on my boat to keep us from the jetty. However, as I unrafted from Jane, there was still too much water in my cockpit and the sloshing action sent me back into water. I tried a roll, but the water in my cockpit would not behave. Jane began to empty my boat, as I hung safely on her boat. We were a bit close to jetty, so Jen had me grab her toggle, and towed us out a bit. I hopped back (this time with only a little water). We should have taken more time to drain my boat.
It was now about 12:30 and my belly was getting hungry. We thought about eating on the water. Jen and Jane have day hatches, but my Chilco does not. Since we still had to review our kits, we opted to return into the channel and eat on the jetty,
After an uneventful landing, we ate our lunches. Unfortunately our paddles had developed hypothermia and need to be attended to. My paddle was outfitted in a fine wool cap, a new fleece from REI, my backup paddle jacket, and nice wool socks. Jane's paddle was also well dressed. Our other equipment was also reviewed before we returned on the river side.
The surf had calmed down since the morning. We spent a little more time here, completing the last few strokes and skills that Jen needed to see. One for me was a right side stern rudder. I got myself set up for a ride in and picked a perfect wave. I threw down my stern rudder on the right, and let out a "WooT!" as it was a great ride. I had several smaller rides. but kept the pace down to rest the elbows.
We were all getting tired and we knew we had a long night ahead of us, since it was New Year's Eve, so we headed down the river back to the shop.
After landing and packing up, Jen gave us the results. Congrats to Jane Hardy, the last BCU 4 Star of 2007!!
I however, did not pass :(. I was about 95% there, everything looked really good except I need to become more comfortable in the bouncy water. While I was north of the jetty I could feel myself become tense, but after spending some time in it, I became more relaxed. Between my elbows and just being 'dad', I don't have the chance to play in those conditions as often as I should. It is always a balance between practicing all the time and just paddling for fun. Jen was very proud of the progress that we both had made in the past few months, otherwise she would not have taken us out. I am bummed, I would have like to gotten it under the old rules, but I also know that I have become a much stronger paddler.
I am looking forward to trying again, even under the new guidelines,as well as training for my 2 Star coaching.
Hope everyone has a great 2008!
We met on Monday morning at Aqua Adventures, ready for a a long day on the water. We dressed and loaded our boats. Jen started us out by discussing the planned route: down the river channel, spend some time at Dog Beach, then head down Sunset Cliffs, land at No Surf Beach, then return back to the shop. As we launched into the river, she had us estimate how long to reach the end of the channel and how we would arrive at that value. (10 minutes for those scoring at home).
As we arrived at Dog Beach, the surf was a bit larger than the training session, but very manageable where we were. So Jen had us repeat the same skills: paddling parallel to the incoming surf, spin in the surf, demonstrate surf control. After completing these skills with no problems, we then turned our attention to launching through the bigger stuff. We sat back and watched the incoming sets. Most sets seemed within the 2-3 foot range, but there were bigger sets that would pass in. We stayed close the jetty to offer some shelter from the sets. Jen led us out, with me to her left, and Jane to my left. We were about 2/3's out when a 4-5 footer comes rolling its ugly head straight at us. Jen punches through, and I set up to try to punch through. I point my paddle forward and lean toward my bow. The force of this wave pushed my torso almost backwards onto my back deck. I snap back upright, land a low brace on the left, and begin to drive out of the backwash. Jen's yelling at me to paddle faster. I pop over a small wave and am in the clear. Jen has me go wait outside of the breakers, as Jane was not as lucky.
After 20 minutes of bobbing in the swells, and having my heart settle down, and turned the kayak around and began looking for Jen and Jane. I figured it would take a bit to relaunch and wait for a chance to try again. I wanted to keep an eye out for boat traffic. I soon spotted them. I gave them a paddle signal to spot me. We soon regrouped and swapped stories about that launch. We realized that although we had made a plan for the launch, we did not specifically talk about what to do if one of us could not make it out. With this small group and the experience, we concurred that it would not have been an issue. I mentioned that if I felt enough time had passed and Jen had not rejoined me (figured she would be able to paddle out), then I would head back in the channel (avoiding the surf), and consider landing on the jetty to communicate.
We then headed down the coast, focusing on charts and navigation. We discussed ways we can identify the current's direction (kelp, buoys). As we neared "No Surf" beach, it was clear that we were not landing there. After a small break, we headed back north to continue the assessment. The wind was picking up slightly, but the seas seem to be settling a bit. The forecast had mention that a Santa Ana was forming, so we were keeping an eye on the wind.
We rounded the north end of the jetty to find some 'bumpy water'. Jen's plan was to have us demonstrate some boat handling and our rescues here. Jane did a wonderful 360 in her boat. I had more trouble. This type of water is my weakest paddling skill. I made my spin, but it was not nearly as comfortable as it should have been.
So now it was time for some rescues. Jen had us move in fairly close to the jetty. She stood on guard in case we drifted too close. I opted to go swimming first. I flipped over, tried a roll (which failed, as I rushed it). I hopped out. BRRRR!! Since I don't own a dry suit, I had just my wet suit, my semi-dry top and a long sleeve fleece (and new booties). Jane came right over and did a fine job of getting me back in my boat. Once I was settled in, it was my turn. Jane worked through a few skills, braces, and a roll, before swimming. I raced in and grabbed her boat. Jane swam to my stern, despite me telling her to go to my bow. I dumped the water, slid the boat off my spray skirt and swung it around. Jane hopped right in and was good to go.
Jen then had me demonstrate some of my skills: low brace, high brace, sculling, draws. When it was time to go swimming again, I opted to try a high brace on the right. I pushed it too far, I then did a quick scull to pop me up to grab a good breath, then tucked back down for an extended paddle roll. I popped right up, slid the paddle back into position and braced on the left to regain my balance. Jen was impressed by the connection of the strokes.
But alas, I still had to plop back in the water. So over I went. I opted not to try anything in order to save my elbows. They were sore for almost a week after the last training, so I was very cautious about them. Jane plucked me out, but there was still a bit of water in the boat. Her boat has a low deck and when she slid the boat back off her skirt, it was still on it's side so it got some water back in. My arms also had filled with some water inside my jacket. We pumped some of the water out and I drained my arms as best I could. Jen threw a tow line on my boat to keep us from the jetty. However, as I unrafted from Jane, there was still too much water in my cockpit and the sloshing action sent me back into water. I tried a roll, but the water in my cockpit would not behave. Jane began to empty my boat, as I hung safely on her boat. We were a bit close to jetty, so Jen had me grab her toggle, and towed us out a bit. I hopped back (this time with only a little water). We should have taken more time to drain my boat.
It was now about 12:30 and my belly was getting hungry. We thought about eating on the water. Jen and Jane have day hatches, but my Chilco does not. Since we still had to review our kits, we opted to return into the channel and eat on the jetty,
After an uneventful landing, we ate our lunches. Unfortunately our paddles had developed hypothermia and need to be attended to. My paddle was outfitted in a fine wool cap, a new fleece from REI, my backup paddle jacket, and nice wool socks. Jane's paddle was also well dressed. Our other equipment was also reviewed before we returned on the river side.
The surf had calmed down since the morning. We spent a little more time here, completing the last few strokes and skills that Jen needed to see. One for me was a right side stern rudder. I got myself set up for a ride in and picked a perfect wave. I threw down my stern rudder on the right, and let out a "WooT!" as it was a great ride. I had several smaller rides. but kept the pace down to rest the elbows.
We were all getting tired and we knew we had a long night ahead of us, since it was New Year's Eve, so we headed down the river back to the shop.
After landing and packing up, Jen gave us the results. Congrats to Jane Hardy, the last BCU 4 Star of 2007!!
I however, did not pass :(. I was about 95% there, everything looked really good except I need to become more comfortable in the bouncy water. While I was north of the jetty I could feel myself become tense, but after spending some time in it, I became more relaxed. Between my elbows and just being 'dad', I don't have the chance to play in those conditions as often as I should. It is always a balance between practicing all the time and just paddling for fun. Jen was very proud of the progress that we both had made in the past few months, otherwise she would not have taken us out. I am bummed, I would have like to gotten it under the old rules, but I also know that I have become a much stronger paddler.
I am looking forward to trying again, even under the new guidelines,as well as training for my 2 Star coaching.
Hope everyone has a great 2008!
Labels: 4 star, bumpy water, surf launch
posted by Chris Griffith at
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