Over the last two weekends I’ve had the fortune to be coached by North American coach Ginni Callahan and Dutch coach Axel Schoevers.
The first weekend (4-6 February 2011) was an instructors and leaders weekend run by the NSW Sea Kayak Club for the continuing training of its instructors and leaders. I particularly enjoyed the lessons on how to coach on the Saturday which gave me insight into planning lessons to pass on my own skills where possible. On the Sunday, we had an opportunity to tune up our skills on the club’s new deep water rescue techniques which I must have forgotton my initial lessons because it was pretty easy to do once I had it explained to me again. And of course, one of the best things about an event like this is the chance to enjoy the company of all of the other leaders and instructors from the club in the very merry social dinner on Saturday night.
As an aside, I tried Dee’s Tahe Marine Greenland T and was smitten. Most of us can remember our first time, correct? Well Friday 4 February 2011 is marked in my diary as my first time and what is more, I did it more than once. Hand rolling in a sea kayak.
Last weekend on 12 February 2011, I had the pleasure of a full day, almost private lesson with Ginni learning to use a greenland paddle and trying to learn the forward finishing sweep roll. Alas, I was unsuccessful at the forward finishing sweep roll but I’ve now got half a clue as to how to practise and with my lack of natural talent and flexibility, persistence will hopefully pave the way through for me. The day long session though, did provide an opportunity to steal Dee’s Greenland T again and see if I could still hand roll. I could and Ginni then encouraged me to attempt a butterfly roll. I’m not sure who was more amazed in our mini-group but I think it was me when I was successful. The butterfly roll didn’t translate to the more expedition-styled, high volume Mirage 580 but perhaps more practise will mean I can perform the roll in that kayak too.
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