March 18, 2000

Marshall Hall

14.2 miles

MAP

Water temp 46f - Air temp ~50f

I was suited up and just about ready to do a little skills practice when Joan arrived. The wind appeared to be only a breeze and out of the east. This was, of course, wrong. The wind was really out of the north but we didn't see it until we paddled out to the Potomac.

Before leaving we had plotted a course from the nearest red buoy to the far side of the river. I had overestimated the current effect and we ended up having to take a little more southerly course than I expected. We weren't off the mark by much though.

On the eastern shore we climbed out at a small (very small) stream and stretched our legs. Heading north we passed Marshall Hall and beached to stretch a half mile upriver. Every time we stopped we both chilled down, especially our hands. When we shoved off again I found I needed to use both pogies to get the warmth back in them. I may have to keep me an oversized pair of mittens in my day hatch for stopping on windy days like today.

Progress was slow at times, but we managed to squeeze out another mile and a half before we decided it was time for lunch. I thought my hands would freeze before we finished and got back in the boats. Now heading south we stopped at Marshall Hall to check out the layout. Chatted a few minutes with a guy in his car as he told us he was interested in trying out kayaking.

Again on the water we cut diagonally across the river to the far shore. Every once in a while a wave would get large enough for me to surf a short distance on, but mostly it was just giving us a fast push back. Once across the river we stopped for Joan to stretch her legs, but I stayed in the boat because I didn't want to chill down again. While here Joan pointed out two Bald Eagles nearby circling over the river.

The last leg is always long for me when I launch from Belvoir. From the mouth of the bay where it opens to the Potomac all the way in to the launch area always seems like 5 miles. Not sure why, but it always does. Finally back at the launch sight Joan practiced sculling and bracing while I braced and rolled. It had been a while since I rolled and I was happy it felt rock solid. I think the sculling brace practice has helped a lot, and the cold water on my face also provided motivation for getting back upright.

I also practiced a wet exit and was happy that too went as it should. After exiting the boat I flipped on my electric pump and the cockpit was dry long before I finished attaching my paddle and float. All this rolling and wet exit practice I still felt warmer than when I stopped for lunch. Enough fun for one day and I packed for home.

The next day I returned to Ft Belvoir, this time just to practice skills. When surfing waves at a high speed I find I can really get my kayak on edge and feel confident with it. But when just paddling, it seems I can't edge nearly as much without causing myself to flip. So today I practiced edging on one side and then the other. Paddling on both sides and paddling on just one. Rolling or bracing every once in a while to cool off or correct a mistake.

Near the end, I switched to my Euro paddle. I don't like this paddle as it takes too big of a bite in the water. But if I ever hope to take any BCU training, I'll need to get used to it.

It behaved as I expected - causing me to apply a lot more pressure to pull it through the water. It also moved the boat like I had never felt using bow and stern rudder. I even tried a few hanging draws - getting up to great speed and performing a draw stroke to scoot me sideways. Cool moves, and things I can't do well with my Greenland.

After about an hour I was spent, so I loaded up for the trip home.