When Hans Heupink, from the Dutch Kayak Association (NKB), asked me if I could arrange a double seakayak to make it possible to take someone from the Department of Transport and water Management around for a seakayaktour in the Voordelta at a spot which is going to be closed for free paddling in august 2008, I did not yet realize that I was the one who should paddle the kayak as well.
Standing at the spot on sunday morning I did not feel honoured, because there was surf at the beach with short steep, breaking waves and in the distance quite a lot of waves with white heads could be seen. No ideal conditions for the maidentrip of a newcomer to seakayaking, I thought.
Normally I would feel quit comfortable in those conditions, but keeping in mind that my passenger did have zero experience in kayaking and that my aim should be to deliver him a pleasant day which should NOT be a survival-day with capsizes in breaking waves, I was worried: Having un unexperienced kayaker aboard, having NO experience myself with this double kayak and not having practised if I could hold the kayak upright on my own in breaking waves.
So there we go.
First I introduced my passenger to the use of the paddle.
And after that we were pushed of in our Northshore Calypso II and he got his first saltwater-christening when heading into the steep surf.
Following the surfline on close distance was the target for today because my passenger was eager to inspect the test-buoys which were placed there for observation on the resistance to the coming winterperiod and -gales.
I was very alert and trying to go round the areas with the biggest waves: steep walls of approx. 1meter (sometimes 1,5m) of water coming from aside.
My passenger proved to be talented for paddling, for he did his utmost best to paddle well. He even did not seem to be bothered by the waves around him. He was merely enjoying the forces of nature.
Coming near the "Slijkgat", the conditions improved a bit and changed to bigger ocean waves sometimes pushing us fast forward. My condidence rose a little bit.
But the best exprience for my confidence was going ashore for a break while having to go throug the surfzone. The bow of the kayak burried itself deep in the water when a wave took us along. Deeper and deeper we went until the water was against my passengers breast. Then the kayak broached. What happened than was pure routine: bracing in the wave to prevent capsize and while leaning backwards I was even able to turn the kayak again in the direction of the coast.
So: It was possible to keep the kayak upright on my own.
After the break I filled the free space next to my hips with some foam for better boatcontact. This turned out to be a good idea for now I had better control over the kayak and could for instance lower or raise the rudder myself while letting go my paddle. This together with my raised confidence made me decide, while being offered to stop earlier when we neared the coast again, to follow the last part through the surf. No problems and I could deliver my passenger safely.
He performed bravely today. Probably he will suffer from some sore muscles the coming days, but I was impressed how he performed in this 25 km´s, never having paddled at sea.
As I did not have the nerves today to shoot some pictures this is a pure-text-post. But I guess I will get pictures from the other paddlers and will add them afterwards.
Details: Below a tracklog of todays-tour
(The blue track is the route of my paddling-group)
Thx to Hans Heupink for this tracklog
Click on the map to enlarge