New to kayaking

[miket77]

I am new to kayaking but I had previously owned a canoe for many years. Was told this is a good place to ask all my newbie questions, so here goes. I purchased a Dagger Blackwater 10.5 from Crane off this forum. Loving the boat. I do a lot of fishing so it is a very good platform for that, bu I am very interested in whitewater. From what I've read this boat can roughly handle class II water. (This may be incorrect) So I am hoping I can use this boat for a while before I need to upgrade. This is the start of my questions.

Is this a boat you can outfit for whitewater use or is this a waste of money? If it is, how do I install flotation devices with the rear bulkhead and the foam block that is factory installed in the bow?

I originally had purchase a 220 cm paddle from a big box store and decided it was not what needed and I was able to return it. I found a different brand that seems much more durable, but they have it in 170 or 220. Is shorter better?

I am a restaurant manager and sadly out of shape. Definitely need to start working out more but I'm curious if there are some exercise that might be better for paddling?

I have been looking for classes or events in my (river valley) area. I am assuming I have just picked a bad time of year to become obsessed with paddling. I am planning on doing rec school this coming year.

One last one and I'll see how this goes over. I would like to do some fall and spring paddling. Would it be better to look at a wetsuit or layering? Which is more cost efficient?

Thank you all for your help and information.

Mike

[Cowper]

Q: Is this a boat you can outfit for whitewater use or is this a waste of money?
A: All depends on your definition of “whitewater”, as well as your style of paddling. Like you said, this boat is OK for up to about Class II. That covers the Buffalo below Ponca, the Spring River, and many others, but is also adequate for even things like the Mulberry or the Big Piney at medium and lower levels. This boat will be fine for getting you down the river; where it will not excel is for more aggressive paddling styles where you really “play” the river instead of just getting to the bottom of every rapid.

Q: If it is, how do I install flotation devices with the rear bulkhead and the foam block that is factory installed in the bow?
With a rear bulkhead, no rear floatation is needed. Best way to get some floatation in the front? Without seeing the boat, I’m not really sure. That’s another place where a visit to a helpful store is in order. The main thing to know is that any bag you put up front must be secured in some manner; otherwise in an upset it will most likely slip past the footbraces and just float downriver. Be sure you don’t leave long strings that could tangle your feet and prevent you from getting out! Many paddle without front floatation; it is not recommended, but most of the danger is to the boat, not to you.

Q: I originally had purchase a 220 cm paddle from a big box store and decided it was not what needed and I was able to return it. I found a different brand that seems much more durable, but they have it in 170 or 220. Is shorter better?
That can’t be right. Most WW paddles don’t come shorter than about 188 cm. If it is really a 170 it was probably intended to be a kid’s paddle. I like really short paddles, I’m currently using one that is about 189 cm; but probably the most popular length is about 194 cm. With a longer boat like the blackwater, you might want to go slightly longer. My suggestion would be to spend some time on the Werner website (they have sizing recommendations) if you plan on buying via the internet, or in a local store (like OOO in HS or the Pack Rat in Fayetteville) if you’re going to do them right by buying local after they invest time in helping you find that “just right” length. If all else fails, go with about 194 cm or 197 cm. You’ll also need to choose your offset; 30 degrees and 45 degrees are the two most common offsets these days. If you can swing it, the Werner Desparado is a truly great paddle for the price; the Werner Rio is another “serious” entry-level whitewater paddle that weighs a bit more but is even cheaper. There are other good brands out there, but Werner has been around for years and has a stellar reputation.

Q: Definitely need to start working out more but I'm curious if there are some exercise that might be better for paddling?
A: Others can answer this one better than me. ANY exercise helps. Obviously things that strengthen your arms and your upper body will help more than “leg only” exercises. Just doing some regular stretching and flexibility exercises have always helped me feel a lot better after a day on the river. Think in terms of many repetitions at light weight; paddling rarely calls for “maximum strength” type efforts, its more about doing something a lower intensity level all day and then not being sore the next day. (My opinion only; I have no expertise in exercise physiology or related sciences.)

Q: I would like to do some fall and spring paddling. Would it be better to look at a wetsuit or layering? Which is more cost efficient?
A: Try this thread for various opinions: http://forums.arkansascanoeclub.com/vie ... lit=winter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I really do suggest a visit to Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters in Hot Springs; or the Pack Rat if they are closer and more likely to be your "regular" dealer.

[737driver]

You'll need a skirt for it if you plan on doing any whitewater with it or you'll constantly be filling the boat. Outfitting it for floatation is done using air bags. You shove them in the stern and blow them up. I'm not familiar with that boat, but I'm guessing it can be done. If you plan on stepping up from class II, then I think your gonna want a more maneuverable boat such as a specific whitewater boat. If your addicted like you say then you will realize that you will want more than one boat in the garage like most of us. As far as clothing for winter paddling, it depends on what your paddling and where. Words to live by when dressing for paddling is dress for a swim. You never know when you might flip. Layering is good for flatwater, but wetsuit is much better for whitewater in the case of splashes or swims. It will keep you fairly warm for moderate temps. I used to wear a wetsuit and then layered over that for warmth. You will want a splash or dry top for cold to moderate temp whitewater paddling. Expensive but much better would be a dry suit. You stay completely dry in the event of a swim. They are expensive though and you can do most winter paddling here with a wetsuit. I paddled all winter last year with a wetsuit and survived but at times it was less than comfortable on a few days I swam with air temps around 40. That forces you to be a better boater in a hurry! Most of the gear you can find used online. I've bought the majority of my gear used and it works good, last long time.

[737driver]

We must have been typing at the same time Cowper. I was waiting for a while for someone like you to respond, but I decided to take a crack at it. Here is a few links to great workouts Mike. http://jacksonkayak.com/blog/2008/11/15 ... -paddling/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This one is Eric Jackson's dry land workout. I think is probably too intense for most people, but I have just scaled it way back for my fitness and try to do it on a weekly basis.

http://jacksonkayak.com/blog/2012/03/12 ... -kayaking/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This one is an on water drill for use in flatwater. It's a great workout that builds rarely used muscle and improves paddling at the same time. I try and do this once a week but I live 100 yards for the lake so it's fairly easy for me to find time to do this. It can be done in a pool too.

[Cowper]

Hey Clay, that's fine, there wasn't that much overlap in our responses, and where there was I think it just emphasized key points. I didn't mention the sprayskirt, glad you did.

[miket77]

Thank you both for your responses. I will start looking into the different equipment. Most of the paddling I have done before has been fairly local which you named, mulberry & buffalo, nothing crazy. I did just hear about another one, I believe it's Frog Bayou? Figure these will be good starts once I get more of the basics down. Also will be needing to get the wife on board to get into the more aggressive stuff. Lol. Rechecked the paddle length and it is 200cm. My math was a little off. Most definitely gonna start stretching and doing the best I can with the work outs.

Again thanks for the responses. I look forward to hopefully hearing from others.

[AR-Nimrod]

Mike,

Your height will have a lot to do in choosing a paddle. At 6'3", a 200 cm WW paddle was too short for me in my XP10. Wound up getting a custom length (208 cm) Aqua Bound Shred Hybrid. The suggestion to try different paddle lengths is dead on. In MO last week we had paddles swapping hands several times a day as people tried different styles and lengths. One thing not mentioned was blade size. That's something else you will have to decide for yourself; if you prefer a large blade, medium blade or small blade. I myself, prefer a large blade, while my wife due to carpal tunnel issues prefers a smaller blade. Just more food for thought.

[miket77]

Great advice. I am 5'10. So I think I can go a little shorter but definitely explore others at every opportunity. And being so new I have no idea about paddle size or shape yet. Just have to do what you say and try as many as I can.

Thank you!

[Deuce]

MIke, I can't give you anything useful with regard to handling your kayak because I'm an SOB (Scruffy Open Boater), but I can give you some exercises I think you'll find very beneficial. Strengthening the core and losing the belly will really help make your time in the cockpit more enjoyable, especially on the longer days and multi-day trips, and I find a little shoulder work helps too. If you have access to a gym and will commit to going there even three days a week you'll be astounded at how quickly you see and feel results. As to specific exercises, here are the ones that give me the most bang for my buck. You can do them in any order. Just be sure to hit the crunches between each one. More on that below.

1. Time on the elliptical: Again, this assumes you can do the gym thing, but just hop on one and punch in the weight loss program. It will ask for your age and weight and will then vary resistances etc. to maximize your results. Works REALLY well and will also help you build stamina and endurance, plus it will get your blood pumping for the rest of your workout.
2. Crunches on the decline bench: Pretty well self-explanatory, but when I come up I like to turn right then left touching a shoulder to the opposite knee. This works all the abs. I find twenty to be a manageable number and I do a set between every exercise. That way before I know it I've done a couple hundred.
3. Manmakers: Place hex dumbells on the floor. They need to be a weight you can curl. Grip them and do a pushup, hop to your knees and pull the dumbells up (kind of an awkward rowing motion), drop to the floor for another pushup, them jump to your feet and do a curl. You're supposed to finish by lifting the weights straight up parallel to your shoulders. I don't do this step because I have flaky shoulders, but YMMV. I call my version boymakers. If you can do a set of eight of these you're doing great. I'd suggest starting with four.
4. Pushups: Yep, the good old fashioned kind. Works the shoulders, triceps, back and most importantly that core. Twenty's a good number.
5. Planks: You probably know what these are, but just put your knees and elbows on the floor and hold the position as long as you can. A minute is a good goal. Elbows should be about shoulder width apart, and if you don't feel it from your waist to your chest you're doing it wrong. Definitely should not feel it in your back. Really good core exercise.
6. Dumbbell Shoulder Press: I do them lying on the floor on my back. Seems to be easier on my shoulders that way.
7. Shrugs: Hold a dumbbell in each hand, let your arms hang straight down and lift your shoulders straight up toward your ears.

Doing these things a few days a week has caused me to lose about 25 pounds, nearly all of it gut, and just look and feel a whole lot better. My wife even almost finds me attractive again. There are millions of exercises of course, many of them good for paddlers, but I've gotten great results with these, and anyone in the Central chapter can tell you I'm not afraid to eat. Good luck.

[mgood]

http://www.ozarkpages.com/cgi-bin/stages.pl?ST=level" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Enjoy.

[Deuce]

Mike, I forgot to mention stretching, which you asked about as I recall. My lower back has been driving me nuts as long as I can remember until a few weeks ago when I finally broke down and got a massage. He asked me why I hadn't been stretching, and I insisted that I had. He said he was willing to bet I wasn't stretching my butt and hamstrings, and he was right. Since I started doing that my lower back has hardly bothered me at all. I do still stretch my lower back, which is important, but I've found the stretches that hit the area between the calves and the waist make the most difference. This should really help before and after all that time in the seat. You can find a bunch of them online.

[okieboater]

http://books.google.com/books/about/Str ... FKsFUbk9YC" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[miket77]

At the current time I do not have access to a gym due to time constraints, but the wife and I have been considering a treadmill and a few weights. Started some light stretching already but I looked up some more to hit more areas. I like the workout routine. Simple to follow.

I purchased the smaller paddle I was looking at. I like the length, but it's a big difference in paddling styles compared to the longer one I originally had. Not a Werner, gonna have to save my pennies for the one I really like.

Looking at wetsuits. I didn't realize they came in different thickness. What would be good for this area? Also, an suggestions on one piece suits or 2 piece suits?

Thanks again to everyone!

[Cowper]

By far, most recommend a 3mm "Farmer John" style wetsuit for paddling. Go thicker, and it will be uncomfortable to bend your torso to the sitting position for long periods. Add arms, and it will be hard to get the flexibility needed for all day paddling, might even rub some raw spots.

You'll want to add some type of polypro or capilene top with long sleeves; if you're on a budget, almost any kind of fleece will get you through your first season, it doesn't have to be paddling-specific gear so you probably own something already. And you'll need a windproof, waterproof layer over that to help hold the heat in. For this layer, something designed for paddling will fit much better and allow the arm movements better than just wearing your existing rain parka, although again, any rain parka could get you through your first season.

Finally, someone mentioned getting a spray skirt for Class II. I agree; but wanted to add that once you add a spray skirt and moving water to the kayak mix, it is also time to add a helmet. Inexpensive whitewater helmets start at $35 to $50. Don't use a bike helmet; they are not designed to stay on for this type of sporting activity, they are more of a "fall and single blow" design, in a whitewater situation the helmet needs to stay on after that first blow in case you're still bouncing down the river upside down...

[Jim Krueger]

Mike,

Most of us who wear wetsuits use the one-piece, 3mm, Farmer-John style. They are sleeveless , like overalls, and allow freedom of movement for arms and shoulders. Then, as needed we'll wear a fleece or other synthetic top(s) for warmth, and often a splash jacket or dry top when needed.

Best Regards
Jim

What Cowper said