That would be me in the back of the canoe ... trying not to get wet. In my defense, I had started to get out of the canoe when Deb, who is one of the presidents of the club, told me I could stay in because I was so light. The water was ice cold!

I've been slacking up on the blog. But like I wrote in March, if it ever gets to the point where blogging about kayaking interferes with really kayaking ... guess which one will go. You're right. The blog.



For me Saturday was the beginning of my summer training. Even though I have the Concept 2 rower to workout on during the winter, it's not the same as really working out on the river. So Saturday was my first day back working out with the Kent Island Outrigger Canoe Club. Shannon came along so she could kayak while I was doing my canoe practice. And after practice she and I did a short paddle out to Hog Island. Shannon bought me these very cool purple sunglasses one day when she was out shopping. They look great with the purple kayak and purple pfd.



Then the next day I joined the DC Dragonboat team for a workout on the Anacostia. Monday I started my pilates class and Monday evening I did another workout with the outriggers. Rest on Tuesday. Then on Wednesday evening I joined the Pier 7 pirates for my workout paddle on the South River. I only had time to paddle out and around Turkey Point which was about 10 miles, but my goal is to gradually work in more miles and bring the pace up. I don't need to kill myself the first day out on the river.

The regular Pier 7 paddlers showed up plus a few new faces. Dave Isbell was there paddling in his greenland SOF kayak. He says my kayak is almost done and we're hoping to do the "saran wrap" test next Wednesday. Dave will wrap the boat in something like saran wrap. I think he's actually going to use a firmer plastic. Then I get to sit in the boat while he makes final notes on where the cockpit, footrests, and seat should be positioned. Then I sink. Should be fun!

Thursday I did another workout with the DC dragonboat team. After Sunday's introductory paddle I decided I need a few more practices before I join the team in Taiwan. There are many similarities between the outrigger stroke and the dragonboat stroke but the main difference is the dragonboaters only paddle on one side. They do 4-5 minutes sets where they go all out. Then they rest. After the third or fourth set I was feeling major cramps in my lower back muscles. I was paddling on the right side of the boat and I really wanted to switch sides. But that's not the way they do it. So besides learning a slightly new stroke I also need to build up my endurance for one sided paddling. It was a little overcast and dreary Thursday night with scattered thunderstorms. Not a good evening for photos. So here are some photos from Sunday.



So that's my schedule ... paddling in some form at least five days a week.

-Susanita