This is spot on. With two kids under age 4 (and me at 40), I don't get out nearly as much as I used to. When I do, I end up pushing too hard a lot of the time... pick up the wing paddle and swing it like I'm in prime racing/training shape, when in reality I should be going low and slow with a Greenland stick and enjoying the scenery. Its catch-22 though too, since when I've taken too much time off of paddling, the little things like lifting the kids or carrying laundry upstairs are much more likely to throw my back or neck out of whack.

Your videos are always spot on. Great bit of advise!

Good advice indeed. Randomly, this applies equally in motorcycling. I used to be a track day junkie, and found out the hard way you can ruin your season opening in a morning. Always best to run at 70%for a few days, and stretch off religiously 👍

My people never say "last run" or "one more run" when skiing and snowboarding. It is a superstition, but injuries seem to happen on the declared "last run". Instead, we ask, or insist, "again" or "more", when we get to the bottom without putting an upper bound on the number of "more". I apply the same philosophy to beach breaks and tide races.

Never underestimate the importance of a proper warm up routine before starting to paddle. So many forget this important detail and this could avoid a lot of medical issues happening.

i sea kayak tody on lake Michigan and level of the water condition was to much for my skill level. I tried two difrent times go back. Next think i know there are rescue boat and rescue choper and Law enforcement around Racine. Later i find out that two people 9 and 16 yers old drawn today and one older guy got rescued and bearly make it. I feel therible for those families. Im glad i shit my pants and return. I still like to build up beter skills , its just harder when selfe told. Hope i get beter. Butifle skills and great video again. Be safe! Vic

Could you do a video on exercises to do at home to stay in kayak shape? Apologies if you’ve already done one.

Good video.. excellent point you make. Even when I'm in condition I try to make myself take some time to warm up and stretch, especially shoulders, before entering the water on board or boat... it also helps me to calm my over-excited mind and take a clearer view of what's actually going on with the waves, rocks, rips and others on the water. Pain = No Gain! Have a great season!

that looks like a great spot!

This past winter I picked up a Seaward Luna and was dying to take a trip in it. So as soon as the weather broke I packed up my camping gear and headed out. With us having a long winter this year everything was frozen a lot earlier and a lot longer than previous years so I did not get out and paddle near as much. My first trip out I did 19 and 1/2 mi upstream in the Ohio River and camped overnight and then returned to my truck the next day. Above Willow Island Lock and dam I had a pretty decent headwind and chop between two and three foot. I pulled a muscle in my neck. Had to go get me neck worked on and take it easy for a couple weeks after that. At the end of last summer that trip wouldn't even wore me out. Getting old sucks.

Luke. Thanks for the great video and your channel. I always learn something and your comments and insight give me something to reflect on as I get more experience kayaking here in the Pacific Northwest. I have found from talking to friends in other sports, e.g., skiing, and from my own experience riding high performance motorcycles at race tracks, before I began to get heavily into sea kayaking, that we all can fall into the temptation of going too hard early in the season (or early in the track day). At the race track I learned very quickly to go easy the first couple of sessions. Let my body, my timing, and my brain catch up to what I am doing and the speeds I was now running. Too often I saw accidents in the first session and the last session of the track day. They would go out too hard, too fast or have that “one more run” mentality trying to get that perfect lap or get their best lap time. That is where accidents and injuries occur. We then find ourselves in recovery mode rather enjoying the sport. I have tried to apply these lessons to my kayaking and your video helps me to work up slowly as I start to get out on the water more frequently. Thanks agin.

@iampongo

2 жыл бұрын

See your reply after I commented re bikes and track days, agree absolutely. Long weekends at Caldwell Park, those were the days. Although to be fair brands indy can get out of hand too, like riding the waltzers 😅

Nice one...! Took me also some time to realise can't go in 300% after a longer winter break...

I think a lot of paddlers neglect proper and structured strength training to ensure that the muscles and flexibility is still there for the harder seasons/paddling

@kebolton

3 жыл бұрын

I did daily yoga during my pandemic break from paddling. I got back into a boat this spring with different strength and flexibility.

@MrAryehd

3 жыл бұрын

@@kebolton that’s an excellent way to stay loose! Paddlers should also look at a comprehensive fitness program that can not only prolong your time out on the water but significantly reduce the likelihood of overuse and injury

Be glad you learned before you tore your rotator cuff. You don't get over that in a week. Injuries always rob you of more activity time than just being patient.