August 21, 2005

Off and On

Yesterday Joan and I paddled around the neck until my foot began to ache bad enough I needed a break. We beached for a little while to let my heel recover. Over the last few months I've developed what I believe to be a bone spur on the outside of my right heel. I had gone to the doctor a few weeks ago and she prescribed motrin and a heel cup and it had been helping. Of course, I had been out of a kayak for 3 weeks, so there had been nothing pressing on the outside of my heel. But now I hobbled around after only a short paddle.

When we got back to the park I practiced my hand roll for about an hour. It was very close - so close I couldn't figure out why I wasn't going the rest of the way up. Inches separated me from being successful but I just couldn't get there. By the end of the day both my heel and right shoulder were very sore but as a final act I managed to stand in my kayak a good 15 seconds before falling over.

I ordered some foam for my kayak when I got home. kayakoutfitting.com sells a foam 'skin' they say works well for holding up to the wear and tear of heels.

On Sunday I laid in bed till about 8:30 - late for me. I hadn't planned to paddle but on sitting up in bed I decided to dress and see if I could finally get that hand roll.

I was stiff in every joint from the day before. On the water I couldn't seem to get anything to work. I was so far from rolling up with my hands it was depressing so I switched to the butterfly roll. But that wasn't working either. Of about a half dozen attempts I managed one.

I went back to shore for a bit and tried to limber up and then decided to paddle back out sitting on the back of my kayak. At least this seemed to be working. Working pretty well actually. I paddled out a hundred feet from shore and saw Tina and Greg from CKAPCO approaching with their tour group. The wind driven waves were small but turning was still difficult. With spectators now watching of course I capsized.

I did a re-enter and roll and chatted with Tina for a moment while pumping out my kayak before paddling back in. Again I was sitting on the rear deck and managed to beach without another crowd pleasing splash.

An On day followed by an Off day. But even off days are fun. I've missed being on the water for the last three weeks and feel I've fallen behind on where I should be in skills this summer.

Woody