10-05-2013
A lot of wind predicted: 6-8bft. But no good conditions for surfing along the coast due to a strong current along the coast.
BUT: ideal circumstances for wet exercises on the Alkmaarder-lake.
I aimed at a spot in the middle of the lake and paddling that direction was fun, being pushed by the SW-wind.
Although higher waves surf better the conditions were OK and the Pilgrim surfs well on these windwaves.
Arrived at the middle of the lake I handed my camera to Wieger for filming the wet-exercises.
First the rolling. This was very easy. Nothing more to say about that. I also made a few rolls against the wind and this resulted in my skimming paddle-blade staying below the surface of the waves. In spite of the wrong start-position of my paddle it was easy to roll up extending my stroke more backwards laying over the afterdeck. The cockpit is very suitable for this kind of lay-back-roll as there is no backband at the seat and the cockpit-rim is far aft not torturing your backbone. Very comfortable. To illustrate: While paddling it is easy to lay flat on your afterdeck.
Sculling: this is easy as well.
Than the re-entry. The big keyhole-cockpit makes entering easy. Rolling up the waterlogged kayak was as easy as if the kayak was dry and empty. Only the stability with a cockpit halfway filled with water was low especially because I floated parallel to the waves; a less convenient position.
So to get the water out of the cockpit on the middle of the lake Anoushka performed an X-rescue. Or in fact a T-rescue because the kayak is empty already if you only lift the bow.
Because the wind blew the emptied kayak in the wrong direction I had to enter the cockpit from aside in the so-called Kiwi-entry. Easy. Big cockpit and no backband blocking while sliding into the seat.
Along the kayak are enough perimeter-lines to get hold on the kayak while swimming along it. Only aside of the day-hatch is no line. Rescuer and/or the swimmer should be aware of that.
So this was it. The only thing left is to battle our way back against the wind. Hard work but no remarks about leecocking that can occur under these conditions. The kayak is very maneuverable and can be corrected before leecocking occurs.