Kayaking
You might recall that last year I took a Stand Up Paddle board class and had a terrific time. After that I rented boards to SUP several times. Come winter though it was clear to me and my blue toes that SUP is either a fair weather sport or I'd need to invest in a good wet suit.
I've kayaked before but I never had any formal lessons so today I took a class with REI at Lake Washington. What a blast! The perfect sunny weather was the frosting on the cake. I slathered myself in sunblock, added hat, sunglasses, and attempted to gracefully put on a kayak. Yes, I mean put on. When kayaking it's more like you are wearing the kayak than getting into it. Well, you still have to get in. For me, this was the hardest part of the class.
See, I've grown used to the accommodations I make from my #TBI in my day to day activities. I try to remember to pick up my feet. I tend to walk near a wall for extra support. But today trying a new thing? Well. It wasn't pretty. Getting into the kayak on the starboard side just didn't work for me. It's my weak side--something I usually don't notice so much in day to day life--but putting all my not inconsiderable weight into a balancing act on a moving object? Well. Good thing it was a nice day because into the lake I went. Several times. Refreshing! Finally getting into the boa,t I found I couldn't move my legs onto the support pedals without using my hands. I had to brace the paddle like an outrigger to really settle into position. The actual paddling was pretty easy. Turning my waist rather than shoulders is good. And I quickly learned serval paddle techniques, turning, stopping, side paddling (good for moving towards a dock) and used a "Frankenstein" stroke to force my core to work, not my arms.
I loved it. I can see that once I figure out the getting in and out thing figured or manage to strengthen those parts of my body that kayaking will be great fun. My legs do not want to lift me from a low crouch to standing or vice versa. I have to really think about engaging muscles and which muscles to get any where.
But I did it.
I'll be looking into buying a kayak and adding that to my sporting life.
I can just imagine my Jetta with a bike, a kayak and a picnic heading out into the world.
Now I just need to stop all this bruising and be brave enough to take a camera out on the water.
Anon