Balance Brace practice in the Maelstrom Vital 166

Here goes! I'm starting to practice the Balance Brace without a spotter. Even though I'm not perfect, I'm making progress.

I had to make a choice between camera man or spotter because the camera man is sometimes also my spotter. So most of the time, I choose to have a spotter since I haven't learned to roll yet. It's easy to fall over and go upside-down when you start learning the Balance Brace. I find it isn't very forgiving for mistakes.

I like having someone to spot me, coach me, and also have someone to film each practice session. It's a great way to learn and progress. It takes a village! But we don't always have a village around to help us.

I'm a big fan of Helen Wilson's video, (from Greenlandorbust.org) "Simplifying the Roll", a multi-level guide to rolling a kayak where you learn the basics in simple terms and can move on from there. She also demonstrates how to troubleshoot common problems with the roll (I have all of them), and she shows you how to progress through the ancient Greenland technique of rolling a kayak.

I especially like her demonstrations and explanations of how you can practice on your own or with a helper.

Thanks to awesome Senjaroller, Frode Wiggen in Norway for recommending this video. It has already helped me a lot. And thanks to Frode for encouraging me from afar, not to give up on trying to learn how to roll. I was ready to give up last year.

Since going directly to learning how to do a full roll just didn't work for me, I'm taking another approach.

I'm going to learn how to Balance Brace first. It's considered a fundamental maneuver or principle for Greenland style. I think of it as a pose I go into with my kayak. This works for me as a fan of Yoga. And my yoga practice helps with flexibility.

I actually enjoy the Balance Brace (when I don't tip over). It's very relaxing, and it's easier for me to learn than rolling. From there, I plan to move on to collapsing the kayak onto myself, and tucking myself into a half roll position and learn the half roll.

It's great to have a simple plan to follow and a guide I can understand and relate to. It gives me confidence and hope. I even look forward to practice now instead of dreading it.

Helen Wilson's video, "Simplifying the Roll" has become my rolling guide. It motivates me and makes me believe I can do it too. It also helps my paddling partner and I learn how to help each other at practice sessions. This video also improved my paddling partner's basic roll by 50% after watching the video, then going to the lake to practice rolling and balance brace. He found his roll almost effortless.

It looks like I'm a Greenlander now too. I like the style, mentality, and teaching methods. And I already have two Greenland paddles and two Greenland style kayaks.

Happy Balance Brace practice and learning how to roll a kayak!
The BaffinPaddler

(Video shot in the summer at Lac Monroe, Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada)

Why do you paddle?

Maelstrom Vaag 174 sea kayak, Loon, Lac Monroe, Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada

Simple question. "Why do you paddle?"

You may question it sometimes. "Why am I doing this!"

It can be an up and down road. 

The answer for me is: It's all the times that make me think and feel . . .

"This is why I paddle!"

Picnic table on sandy beach, Lac Monroe, Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada

I'll admit. I love luxury. When you spot an unoccupied picnic table in the distance on a sandy beach, you may find yourself thinking, "This is why I paddle faster!"

Later, I'll write about and post some video on another great adventure. 

Learning how to Balance Brace a sea kayak in nice spots. (Here it is: Balance Brace practice in the Maelstrom Vital 166 in this beautiful spot.)

Maelstrom Vital 166 sea kayak, sandy beach, Lac Monroe, Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada

Why not? If you're going to get sideways and look at the world upside-down from a kayak, you might as well do it with nice views for inspiration.

Then, on to the road to rolling. It's been a long, hard, fearful road for me - 3 years. So, for people who don't just learn all this stuff quick and easy, you may want to come along for the ride.

For instructors, paddle friends and bloggers, and spotter friends who stick with us on the longer path to success - THANKS!

And we won't forget about the awesome Cowboy Scramble!

Keep practicing.

Happy paddles!
The BaffinPaddler

Summer in Canada

Lac Monroe, Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada

You're on vacation right?

The hot, lazy days of summer have taken hold of you.

The gear is always wet. It doesn't get any time off. Rolling practice and balance bracing means even more wet gear, and wavy, curly hair that is always tangled. You're already dreaming of a dry suit for fall.

Back at camp and at home, people, including yourself exclaim, "There's wet gear strewn everywhere!" You don't want to see pics of that beautiful mess, right?!

It doesn't bother the neighbors at all.

Yep! You're a paddler.

Enjoy the best of summer . . . doing the stuff you love best!

Maelstrom sea kayaks, Lac Monroe, Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada

Nuf said!

Large marsh, Lac Monroe, Mont Tremblant, Quebec

Happy paddles.
The BaffinPaddler

For love of boat!

Maelstrom Vital 166 sea kayak on the Riviere Rouge, Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada

 Isn't it nice to stop everything and take a moment, or lots of moments for love of boat?

I mean your beautiful sea kayak. The one you love! It's awesome to love a sea kayak. If you don't . . . yet, I hope you find one you love! Keep searching. It's worth your time.

A kayak is a great way to distract yourself from all the other stuff you could be wasting your time with!

Happy paddles and lots of sand in my shoes from a great paddle on the Riviere Rouge (the Red River) in Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada.

The BaffinPaddler

Dawn at Upper Brewers Lock on the Rideau Canal

I think this is when I like the camping neighborhood best . . . at dawn!

Everyone is tucked into their beds. The eerie morning mist is rising. It's the best time to sleep or the best time to get up. Take your pick. It's a hard choice sometimes.

The party ended at midnight . . . I think.

But, the motor boats gurgled all night. Could someone please just burp them and get it over with . . . ?!

You always remember to bring your ear plugs on camping trips, right? No? Me too. Why do I keep forgetting to bring the most important gear item of all.

Even the scout camp is quiet at this early morning hour.

The kayaks are still there. What a beautiful sight to wake up to.

Mango coloured Wilderness Systems Tsunami 165 sea kayak

Dew alert! Everything is wet.

Upper Brewers lock is our first night's camp on a 3-day kayak camping trip from Kingston Mills to Narrows lock.

Upper Brewers lock station is a pretty nice, kayak friendly camping spot on the Rideau Canal route in Ontario, Canada. There are picnic tables, restrooms, drinkable water, garbage cans and recycling bins. Entertainment is free - the fireflies dance at dinner time and into the night.

When dawn breaks, and the sun dries the morning dew, it's off to beautiful Jones Falls for lunch, and getting through its series of four big 15-foot tall locks (the second biggest in the Rideau Canal system - Smith's Falls is King) and then pushing on to Davis locks for the second night's camp.

Day two will be a long haul in heat wave conditions! About 24 kilometres. (See Rideau Canal Paddling Maps 3, 4, and 5 to see the Day 2 route we'll follow.)

What's this all about:

See: Kayak camping the Rideau Canal and testing the Wilderness Systems Tsunami 165 sea kayak

Maps:

• Rideau Canal Paddling Map 3
• Rideau Canal Paddling Map 4
• Rideau Canal Paddling Map 5

 Happy tripping!
The BaffinPaddler

What it's like going through a lock in a sea kayak on the Rideau Canal

Holding on to a drop cable inside a lock

Pretty glamorous, eh? Well, here goes. I'll be going through a lock on the Rideau Canal for my very first time, gulp! We're kayak camping for 3 days, launching from Kingston Mills and heading for the Narrows.

It's a bit intimidating looking at a big lock from a kayak. My stomach is nervous, my heart is speeding up. I don't know if I'm going to like this. But once I'm in the lock, I'm stuck and there's no going back.

The water boils a bit and gets a little turbulent before the lock door opens. Gee, that sure makes me feel better! You feel like you're going into the belly of a beast.

Paddle buddies go in first. They've done this many times before and lucky for me, explain what to do and what to expect beforehand. Having them in front of me and watching what they do is a big help. It's obvious that I'm nervous as a cat, but they chuckle when they see me pull my camera out of my life jacket pocket with my one free gloved-hand and take a few pics before the flow gets stronger and I need to put it away.

 Tips for going through a lock

• Stay clear of the lock door and boat channel. When the lock opens, there may be motor boats coming out or going in ahead of you. Paddle in when lock staff indicate it's safe to do so.
• Listen to any instructions from lock staff. 
• Grab onto a drop cable (also called a "mooring cable").
• Try to position yourself further back in the lock as the current and turbulence is stronger in the front as the lock fills (depending on the direction you are going on the canal, the lock may be filling or emptying. I haven't been in a lock that is emptying . . . yet.)
• Keep the nose of the kayak from drifting too far away from the wall.
• Watch the nose (bow) and tail (stern) of the kayak to make sure it doesn't get caught in between the wall and the drop cable as you bounce around in the flow.

And the most important thing?

RELAX! Unless you're in the front and have to manage more than your fair share of turbulence. Then you'll really have to hang on.

Lock staff watch and monitor the progress of the lock filling and how you're doing in there. They can slow down the flow and fill (or empty) the lock more slowly if you're having trouble. Usually it's the kayak closer to the front of the lock who gets the bumpiest ride. But even further back in the lock, you can get a little pushed around at times.

Paddlers with whitewater experience don't seem to mind it as much! But I prefer the softer, safer, easier ride in the back - thanks!

The flow usually starts slow and easy, mid-flow seems to be the most turbulent, then slows as the lock is almost full.

Being inside the lock can be a social experience too. Sometimes we chat with each other, lock staff, and other boaters. Enjoy!

When it's all over, the lock opens and you're free!

What a great feeling - to get out of there!

How to stay cool in a lock

In the heat and summer sun you can really cook inside a lock or a series of locks and get overheated and sunburned. Be prepared before you enter the lock.

Positioning: There is a shady and sunny side in a lock. If you can, position yourself on the shady side.

Gloves: I wear light neo gloves. They stay wet, keeping my hands cool and protect my knuckles from getting banged around on the cement wall of the lock as I hang on. Gloves also protect your hands from sunburn!

Hat: I wear my lightweight, white, OR UPF 30 Lawrence of Arabia style hat! It has a good size beak in the front and the light flowing fabric sides protect the side of my face and neck in the front and back from the sun.

Clothing: I wear a lightweight, white long-sleeve rash guard top. I rinse it in water before paddling and put it on wet. It keeps me cool and fresh for two hours - then dries. I can re-wet the arms if they dry. It keeps me cool all day and keeps the sun off. I don't need sunscreen and I don't sweat. Sweating cools you but you also dehydrate faster. Sunscreen can block skin pores, feels sticky and the sun still hits and heats up your skin. You can still burn with sunscreen. I prefer to cover up with light, breathable clothing with UV protection. You can burn through some light and loosely woven knit summer clothing. So be careful.

Water and snacks: Keep a water bottle handy on the front deck of your kayak. Maybe also an energy snack. You'll be spending lots of time in and around the locks if you're locking through. Expect delays in busy summer months.

Equipment:  

• Spray skirt - Your legs can get really hot and sunburned in a kayak if you're not wearing a spray skirt. I attached my neo spray skirt only at the front and the back and left the sides open to let air in and keep the sun off. Lighter nylon skirts and half skirts work well too.

• Stable kayak: It helps to be in a stable kayak you trust when trying something new. I was testing a big, plastic, mango-coloured Wilderness Systems Tsunami 165 sea kayak on this 3-day kayak camping trip on the Rideau Canal. Even though I felt pretty nervous going into all the 9 locks we went through on this trip, I always felt very secure in the Tsunami 165. It is very stable and comfortable. I was happy it was my kayak camping partner on this trip. You spend a lot of time sitting in a lock waiting for it to fill (or empty, depending on which direction you are travelling on the Rideau Canal.) Going in and out of the locks, I used the rudder to make steering easier. Inside the lock, I pulled the rudder up to prevent damage as the kayak can get a little banged up against the cement wall inside a lock with the water flow and turbulence.

This post shows just kayaks inside the lock. Further on in this story, we'll lock through another lock with five big motor boats and see what that's like! 

It was my biggest worry. I'll let you know how it went.
  
Tomorrow:
I'll show you the camping neighborhood at Upper Brewers lock station.

What's this all about?
See: Kayak camping the Rideau Canal and testing the Wilderness Systems Tsunami 165 sea kayak

Happy tripping!
The BaffinPaddler

More Resources:

• How a lock works, Rideau Canal, Parks Canada
• Visitor and lock safety - Rideau Canal, Parks Canada
• Watson's Paddling Guide to the Rideau Canal

Credits:

• Thanks to experienced paddle buddies who explained how to get through a lock, and who took the positions closer to the front so I could hang on in the gentler, rear section of the lock. Much appreciated!
• Thanks to Ottawa Paddle Shack for letting me test the Wilderness Systems Tsunami 165 sea kayak on this trip.

Approaching Lower Brewers Lock: Rideau Canal kayak camping trip - Day 1

Here we are, approaching Lower Brewers Lock 45 on day one of a 3-day kayak camping trip on the Rideau Canal, in Ontario Canada in July with heat wave temperatures in the 30's Celsius (80's Fahrenheit).

We launched from Kingston Mills lock in the morning.

Our destination for our first night's sleep is Upper Brewers locks (we'll go through 44 and 43).

But Lower Brewers Lock 45 is the first lock I have to go through on this trip. I've never been in a lock before. And we're going to lock through all the locks on this trip from Kingston Mills to Narrows Lock.

It's a little daunting. I have to get through three locks on the first day.

"How about you go first and I'll see how it's done."

Tomorrow, inside the lock.

What's this all about?
See: Kayak Camping the Rideau Canal and Testing the Wilderness Systems Tsunami 165 sea kayak

Map:
Rideau Canal Paddling Map 3 - River Styx to Lower and Upper Brewers Locks, Cranberry Lake to Brass Point Bridge

Happy tripping!
The BaffinPaddler