Two exhausted and happyyyyyy kayakers!
Last Friday, Ronny and I decided to find us some foamy withewater to go river kayaking!
I had been itching to play in the water for a long time now, but since we always have something going on every day, there was never time for it.
But now we could finally go!
I was more than excited, because I was going to try out the Dagger Kingpin for the first time! Ronny is an experienced kayaker and is used to the "funboat, but until now, I had only used steadier boats with much more volume. Great for beginners, and the boys agreed I would find myself some trouble trying the funboat. But hey, I gotta learn someday, right? (^_^)
Thank you Stein Olav, for putting your boxer among the equipment I borrowed. I will now use it as a helmet
Testeing a playboat for the first time!
My handsome kayaker, ready to hit the waves
When we got to Trysil, the river had pretty much water. That means some parts were rather flat (equals boring), but more than two parts had some preehhttyyy big waves!
Usually the whole gang is playing, and then we have an experienced person to paddle in front and pick out the best lines, to avvoid trouble for the newbies. Since it was only Ronny and me this time, he decided I should go first, so that he could pick me up if I went under water- which he was pretty sure was going to happen with that boat. I should also try to stay clear of the two biggest waves.
Well....That didn't happen. When the first big wave came up, I was a little skewed. I figured trying to paddle around the wave would cause me to go sideways into the next one, and that would definitely flip me over. So I went right through it. TONS of fun! I got a little caught up in the middle of it, and Ronny was right behind me. Trying to avvoid hitting me, HE was flipped upside down! But Ronny does the eskimo roll perfectly, so it was no problem for him. He just laughed because I managed through it.
Confident as "#¤%&/, we approached the last and huge wave. The only thing was, I didn't realize it was the huge one...I thought it would be further down the river. So of course, I didn't stay clear of this one either. But what a rush!
I was on top of a little foamy mountain, and in front of me I could see another foamy one. But to get there, I had to dive down in the middle of it before I could get back up. I heard Ronny shouting "Paddle! Paddle! Paddle!", and went for it. I got swallowed, and the wave spit me right out again. Ronny shook his head and roared with laughter, because he was so focused on helping me if I messed up, that he went under again! When he got up he expected to see me without the kayak, swimming, but I was fine! And boy, was I bragging about it!
...Of course, I always brag when I manage something. But seriously, the feeling of managing the waves is tremendous!
Ronny took the time to surf in the big wave. I was sooo jealous watching him play in the middle of the sparkling water, it looked so fun! But I also realized what the guys mean when they say these boats are easier to mess up with. They are so round and light, that in an instant, the waves will flip you over. No problem for Ronny though, he just rolled back up like it was the easiest thing in the world!
A nice and cozy place to practice boofing
Niiice weather!
The picture doesn't give much credit showing how big that wave actually was.
Afterwards we practiced on boofing, buddy roll and to paddle across the river without getting knocked out. Ronny is a former rafting instructor in Sjoa, so he has tons of good tips for a rookie like me.
The buddy roll is an easy way to roll if you don't master the eskimo roll. Here's the steps on how to do it:
1.Stay clear of rocks.
When you are under water (that means you are upside down), lean forward and tuck close to the deck of the boat. This is to prevent getting your head smashed in rocks. And that, you do not want!
2.Arms up
Now, this is the tricky part, at least for me. You have to reach both arms up and out of the water. Sounds easy, but being upside down under water can make you pretty disorientated. The first time i tried this, I had both arms on the same side of the boat, and I didn't even realize!
Well, when you do this properly, your buddy should paddle close to you to let you do the roll.
3.The buddy roll
Wave your hands until you feel your friend's boat. Your friend should give your boat a little bump with his, so you know where he is. Grab your friend's boat and begin to pull yourself up, use your hips to help flip your boat around.
And taaa-daaah, the air is yours to breathe!
Finishing the day by drying up by the fireplace is the best thing two Pierats can do!
Note:
I'm seeking GIRLS who wants to go kayaking in Hedmark! Be sure to send me an email if you are interested in some whitewater!
Foamy hugs from Silje
