Things to Do at the Beach, Galactica Point, Friday Morning
At some point during the week, Jarod had sent out a handwavey note to the members of his workshop, telling them to dress appropriately for outdoor weather, including a swimsuit. Today, he was standing on the beach, barefoot and wearing a pair of jeans and a shirt as he waited for the workshop to arrive. "Good morning," he said, smiling at everyone. "I'm Jarod, and I'm here to teach you proper swimming and boating procedures. After today, if you're just here to get a tan and swim, you can do that, but I have to tell you the rules for your safety."
"First, I'd like you all to introduce yourselves, tell me your skill level with boating and swimming, and why you signed up for the course."
Next, he handed out a list of rules:
1. Never swim alone--use the buddy system, and make sure your buddy can see you at all times
2. Always tell someone where you are
3. If you're on or in a boat, you must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times
4. Respect the ocean
5. The lifeguard's rule is final. No arguing
6. Don't swim for an hour after eating
"We're not going to be studying sailing for a few weeks yet, but I want you to start working on the knots now," he said, handing out lengths of nylon rope, taped with red at one end and blue at the other. He also handed out another handout, with instructions and illustrations of the knots. "I'd like you to focus particularly on the bowline and half-hitch, so those will be the ones we'll be using most often."
He then walked a little further down the beach, where a collection of recreational kayaks, double-bladed paddles, and PFDs were sitting. "Today, we're working with kayaks. They're fairly simple to operate--make sure the blade of the paddle enters the water perpendicular to the water, then stroke back," he demonstrated, "and adjust your grip so the other side of the paddle then enters the water at a perpendicular, stroke back, then repeat."
"Go ahead and practice your stroke, then, when you feel comfortable, put on your life vest and try one out--just make sure to stay within visual range of the shore, in case something happens. Which it won't."
"First, I'd like you all to introduce yourselves, tell me your skill level with boating and swimming, and why you signed up for the course."
Next, he handed out a list of rules:
1. Never swim alone--use the buddy system, and make sure your buddy can see you at all times
2. Always tell someone where you are
3. If you're on or in a boat, you must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times
4. Respect the ocean
5. The lifeguard's rule is final. No arguing
6. Don't swim for an hour after eating
"We're not going to be studying sailing for a few weeks yet, but I want you to start working on the knots now," he said, handing out lengths of nylon rope, taped with red at one end and blue at the other. He also handed out another handout, with instructions and illustrations of the knots. "I'd like you to focus particularly on the bowline and half-hitch, so those will be the ones we'll be using most often."
He then walked a little further down the beach, where a collection of recreational kayaks, double-bladed paddles, and PFDs were sitting. "Today, we're working with kayaks. They're fairly simple to operate--make sure the blade of the paddle enters the water perpendicular to the water, then stroke back," he demonstrated, "and adjust your grip so the other side of the paddle then enters the water at a perpendicular, stroke back, then repeat."
"Go ahead and practice your stroke, then, when you feel comfortable, put on your life vest and try one out--just make sure to stay within visual range of the shore, in case something happens. Which it won't."