tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43022964112160011712011-11-27T15:21:25.921-08:00Sheryl McGlochlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03603896208932648806noreply@blogger.comBlogger41100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4302296411216001171.post-37232600411462783122010-04-21T11:35:00.001-07:002010-06-17T16:51:00.626-07:00Water Safety – Always wear a life jacket. Pay attention to weather conditions: air temperature, wind conditions, water temperatures<br /><br />Don’t kayak alone<br /><br />Life Jackets: Understand WHY you need to wear a life jacket, How to wear a life jacket that fits you best, which life jackets to AVOID wearing and why<br /><br />White Water Kayaking vrs Flat Water Kayaking<br /><br />Flat Water Kayaking – "Sit on Top" kayaks vrs "Sit IN" kayaks – we own both kinds<br /><br />Different types of kayaks – (short, long, 2 person, 1 person, wide, narrow)<br /><br />What is required when you kayak w/ me – come to my house, help load, plan on 30 min. to load<br /><br />What is needed if you kayak on your own – whether you rent or buy a kayak – Yakama or Thule Cross Bar, Kayak T-Poles, straps<br /><br />Where to buy or rent a kayak – Any Outdoor Recreation Retail Store, also check online at KSL, Craigslist, etc. Know what to look for to avoid a costly mistake.<br /><br />Water safety – study the weather and water conditions before getting in the water, check the weather report before you go, weather can change rapidly, don’t paddle out to the middle of a lake/reservoir if there is questionable weather, stay near the shoreline, know when to get out of the water<br /><br />My favorite CLOSE bodies of water, within 15 – 30 min. of my home: Jordan River, Great Salt Lake, Little Dell Reservoir<br /><br />More favorite places to kayak in Utah: Mirror Lake, Fish Lake, Lake Powell, Jordanele Reservoir, Deer Creek Reservoir, Pineview Reservoir, Utah Lake, Bear Lake, Green River, etc. <br /><br />When we start kayaking this spring – As soon as the air temp is 65 or above<br /><br />What to wear – life jacket, wet shoes when it gets cold, keen sandals for carrying the boat down to the water, layered clothing, swim suit, shorts, hat, <br /><br />What to take w/ you in your kayak – rope, clear waterproof bag for food, water bottle, snacks, jacket, clothes, towel, sunscreen, hat<br /><br />What about car keys/cell phones when kayaking – I keep them in my life jacket zipper. IF you are new to kayaking, I strongly advise NOT taking car keys, wallet or cell phone OUT on the water if possible. Find a safe place away from the water to keep these items. I take a cell phone with me on the water for emergencies<br /><br />Exercises you can do at home in preparation for kayaking: Pushups, situps, etc.<br /><br />Posture when you are in the kayak – sitting up straight<br /><br />Sitting on a pad vrs a seat with a back rest: Not using a back rest will work your stomach muscles more but you can get a back ache and it's very uncomfortable for long kayaking outings<br /><br />Training on and off of the water – Kayaking works: Arms, Shoulders, Stomach, and Back.<br /><br />Why I love kayaking: It's a great cross-training sport and compliments my hiking. I especially love kayaking after hiking since I find it relaxing and uses completely different muscles.<br /><br />Securing your waterproof bag to the kayak – using the bungies<br /><br />Where to hold on if you are being pulled - If you are in the water and someone is towing you to shore, learn where you can and can not hold on.<br /><br />DANGERS: Wind drifting – If you don’t pay attention, you can drift quite a ways while taking a rest, eating or just relaxing. Always be observant. Keep an eye to the sky and pay attention to drifting.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4302296411216001171-3723260041146278312?l=sherylskayakinggroup.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheryl McGlochlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03603896208932648806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4302296411216001171.post-2313004499737123852009-06-04T06:38:00.004-07:002010-04-21T11:07:41.183-07:00DRILL: Get in, paddle straight a head for about 50 ft., lay down in the kayak, sit back up, turn around, come back, stop, get out<br /><br />DRILL: Get in, paddle straight a head for about 50 ft., dangle your feet in the water on each side IF you are in a sit on top kayak, put them back in, turn around and come back<br /><br />DRILL: Paddle out about 50 ft., line up and hang on top the handles of other kayaks. Benefits of doing this: Learn how to create more stability, good time to eat and pass the food to each other.<br /><br />DRILL: Getting something out of the BACK of your kayak.<br /><br />DRILL: Have something floating in the water – like a flip flop, go fetch it w/ your kayak without tipping over<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4302296411216001171-231300449973712385?l=sherylskayakinggroup.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheryl McGlochlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03603896208932648806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4302296411216001171.post-68740401875928501612009-06-04T06:37:00.000-07:002010-04-21T11:19:18.355-07:00DRILL: With another person, lift a kayak over your head 10 times. Kayaks will help you increase your upper body strength.<br /><br />DRILL: Practice carrying a kayak with one other person. All of my kayaks vary in length from 8 - 16 ft. Are you strong enough to lift and carry a kayak by yourself?<br /><br />DRILL: Carry a kayak to the water – where to hold on and where NOT to hold on<br /><br />DRILL: Carry TWO kayaks to the water – 2 people in front, 2 people in back<br />Know which kayaks you can do that with and which ones you can’t.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4302296411216001171-6874040187592850161?l=sherylskayakinggroup.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheryl McGlochlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03603896208932648806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4302296411216001171.post-35389435841771994362009-06-04T06:34:00.000-07:002010-06-17T16:49:57.606-07:00Life Jacket if you have your own, otherwise it's provided<br />A set of Dry Clothes<br />Towel<br />Shoes or flip flops to get wet<br />Hat<br />Clothes to kayak that can get wet<br />Swim Suit is not necessary but optional<br />Sunglasses<br />Lip Balm<br />Water Bottle <br />Snacks<br />Wind Breaker/Jacket<br />Bag for wet Clothes<br />Money for Kayaking<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4302296411216001171-3538943584177199436?l=sherylskayakinggroup.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheryl McGlochlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03603896208932648806noreply@blogger.com