A list of firsts from Body Boat Blade 5-day kayak class

I just got back from a 5-day kayak class in the San Juan Islands by Body Boat Blade International. WOW! I absolutely loved it. The instructors are world-class, fun-loving and great people. I had a blast and learned a *ton*. On the ferry ride home yesterday I started writing down all the firsts from the trip and thought I would share them with you. Here goes: this week was my first…

  • Quick launch! from shore and from dock
  • Eating kelp! (crunchy delicious)
  • Standing on my back deck and other kayak games like kiss the bow, sit on stern, spin in seat, spin on back deck
  • Roll (back deck roll via static brace)!!! It needs some work, I rolled twice but I think they were fortunate accidents. Many (many) more failed attempts, fortunately with Matt and/or Shawna standing close by.
  • Static brace
  • High brace
  • Circumnavigation of Obstruction Island (check it off!)
  • Bow rudder stroke
  • Cross-deck bow rudder stroke
  • Cross-desk bow pinch stroke
  • Forward stroke ‘cycling’ motion AKA power transfer
  • On-water navigation using time/bearings and fixes
  • Using tow-belt
  • Conducting multi-factor risk assessment process prior to each trip
  • Paddling all kinds of different boats: 1) Nigel Dennis Kayaks (NDK) Romany kayak, 2) homemade (by Shawna) skin-on-frame traditional Greenland-style kayak and paddle, 3) Valley Rapier 20′ racing kayak and 4) Matt’s Pyranha Burn creek boat. But NOT the canoe (whah)
Paddling