A friendly local ( Thanks to them! ) offered to meet me at their local 'put-in' in Brisbane today - I took my Spec Ski down, having never sat in a Ski or this one before. I'll admit I was a little apprehensive, knowing nothing and having zero experience. I had been warned that some Ski's may be very tippy for a beginner - and the one I just purchased rather cheaply, may not be right for me at all. So how was my first paddle?
We got down to the ramp - I edged my bum into the bucket and before I could even sort myself out ... PLONK! I tipped straight over into the shallow water and river mud ... soaked, muddy but determined. The boat was steadied for me to sit in for a second time ... in I go ... PLONK! Over I go again into the river and now with mud all up my side, drenched and feeling like there is NO WAY I can get this thing to balance. Another paddler cruised in to put -out ... called out to my experienced friend who was helping me ... "First time in a boat?" ... I looked around in near despair ... "Oh no ... I'm a professional!" ... chuckles all round.
It was quickly decided there was no way I was going to keep my Spec Ski upright at my level ... so ole mate offered for me to try his Hayden, which we did. I sat in the Hayden PR3 and with my legs hanging out I felt immediately more stable, but only slightly more. I was able to take off for 50 yards into the river keeping balance with my feet hanging over the edge ... and for a short while felt I may get them into the boat and onto the pedals. Nope ... PLONK! Now I'm in deeper water and for the first time experiencing what it's like to have a paddle in my hand and reclaim the boat for a remount. I also managed to inhale part of the Brisbane River up my nose - the taste and smell of which I couldn't get out of me for the rest of the day!
After two attempts I managed to actually get myself mounted into the bucket, side mount, but as I tried to swing my legs across ... PLONK! In I went again. My friend walked up the river to the next ramp and saw me struggling and I offered to put in so he could get his own day started without having me take up all his time. My first paddle in a Ski lasted no more than 10 minutes tops ... and I felt horrendous ... I felt useless ... I felt utterly out of my depth and a little deflated as I pulled my now dirty, muddy carcass out of the water. My friend suggested this was all pretty normal ... I'll admit, I went home and was happy to just lick my wounds. I'm sore ... body sore with a few aches picked up from the short effort and I completely got my backside handed to me.
I'm a 47 year old ... with an athletic background and grew up on the ocean - I felt like a child today, boy ...My friend has suggested I try an Epic V7 next weekend, which is apparently a far more stable boat and I am really hoping I can do better on the next attempt. I drove home after tying up my Ski, staring into the void ... what the HELL did I just do for 10 minutes that beat the hell out of me? Deflated, but not yet dissuaded ... I'm going to try the Epic V7 next week and take it from there - I mean surely NEXT week, can't be as bad as today?![;-)]( ";-)")
We got down to the ramp - I edged my bum into the bucket and before I could even sort myself out ... PLONK! I tipped straight over into the shallow water and river mud ... soaked, muddy but determined. The boat was steadied for me to sit in for a second time ... in I go ... PLONK! Over I go again into the river and now with mud all up my side, drenched and feeling like there is NO WAY I can get this thing to balance. Another paddler cruised in to put -out ... called out to my experienced friend who was helping me ... "First time in a boat?" ... I looked around in near despair ... "Oh no ... I'm a professional!" ... chuckles all round.
It was quickly decided there was no way I was going to keep my Spec Ski upright at my level ... so ole mate offered for me to try his Hayden, which we did. I sat in the Hayden PR3 and with my legs hanging out I felt immediately more stable, but only slightly more. I was able to take off for 50 yards into the river keeping balance with my feet hanging over the edge ... and for a short while felt I may get them into the boat and onto the pedals. Nope ... PLONK! Now I'm in deeper water and for the first time experiencing what it's like to have a paddle in my hand and reclaim the boat for a remount. I also managed to inhale part of the Brisbane River up my nose - the taste and smell of which I couldn't get out of me for the rest of the day!
After two attempts I managed to actually get myself mounted into the bucket, side mount, but as I tried to swing my legs across ... PLONK! In I went again. My friend walked up the river to the next ramp and saw me struggling and I offered to put in so he could get his own day started without having me take up all his time. My first paddle in a Ski lasted no more than 10 minutes tops ... and I felt horrendous ... I felt useless ... I felt utterly out of my depth and a little deflated as I pulled my now dirty, muddy carcass out of the water. My friend suggested this was all pretty normal ... I'll admit, I went home and was happy to just lick my wounds. I'm sore ... body sore with a few aches picked up from the short effort and I completely got my backside handed to me.
I'm a 47 year old ... with an athletic background and grew up on the ocean - I felt like a child today, boy ...My friend has suggested I try an Epic V7 next weekend, which is apparently a far more stable boat and I am really hoping I can do better on the next attempt. I drove home after tying up my Ski, staring into the void ... what the HELL did I just do for 10 minutes that beat the hell out of me? Deflated, but not yet dissuaded ... I'm going to try the Epic V7 next week and take it from there - I mean surely NEXT week, can't be as bad as today?
