Winter Kayaking in WI

Excellent stuff.

My club used to adjourn to a members big old swimming pool and just play make pontoons and other silliness when it got nippy like that up river.
 
Werner makes a great paddle. Nice adventure,too!
(And I thought it was getting to cold to go kayaking down here in the South. Shows what I know.)
 
That looks like it could be a lot of fun. Is that something you just kinda went out and started doing or did you get any type of training?
 
DerekH said:
That looks like it could be a lot of fun. Is that something you just kinda went out and started doing or did you get any type of training?
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Some sort of formal training is great to start, but like any sport at an entry level, you're often given just enough to get yourself into trouble if you wander well outside level of training you receive. I mean, by example, many intro programs can be done in a pool with an extremely controlled environment with an instructor literally ride by your side. So, while it's easy to perform a basic wet exit in a nice, temperature-controlled, clear pool, it's quite something else to perform the same exit in colder, murky water with a but of wind thrown in. I've had students perform techniques flawlessly at pool sessions and totally lose it on the ocean. Same techniques, but the loss of "control" can seriously play with some people's minds.
 
I've never had any formal training or lessons of any kind... :eek:

Now I'm a little hesitant to say that, because I consider my own tenacious appetite for learning more about the things I love to do to be enough training in itself.

I've taught myself many different kayaking strokes, from functional, basic strokes to fancy, superfluous instructor strokes. I taught myself how to roll, and I am confident doing so in the white caps of the mighty Lake Michigan. I have practiced wet exits in full insulating layers, a drysuit, and my PFD. I've taught myself several different self rescues and am comfortable performing them in adverse conditions.

I didn't go out in 19 degree weather my first time kayaking. I didn't experience the chop of Lake Michigan until after the first few months. You have to kayak within what your abilities allow. It's when you over extend yourself that you are taking on too much risk.

Kayaking is an incredible way to experience the world. It's not difficult to learn, but someone can easily find themselves to be "in over their head" if they go exploring rock gardens during surf or going on whitewater before they are ready. The power of water is amazing. You really need to know how the boat responds in a variety of conditions before you will feel comfortable taking it out anywhere, any time, any conditions.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

JGON
 
I don't think there's anything wrong with no formal training, but training does add to someone's skill-set a lot quicker. I had been paddling almost ten years before taking formal training, and it almost immediately improved some stuff I would've sworn was very solid. It's a lot easier to make improvements if you're taking advice from someone better than you who can specifically point out mistakes. I think the biggest flaw with formal training is the false sense of confidence some people might get without putting in the hours to make the skills solid after the course.
 
Excellent.
I am mostly a "canoe guy" and I winter camp as much as I can -- just never yet combined the two. I'm just a little south from you (Sheboygan) and I live just a couple blocks from the lake. This thread has really got me lusting after a kayak again!
 
Warriorsociologist said:
Excellent.
I am mostly a "canoe guy" and I winter camp as much as I can -- just never yet combined the two. I'm just a little south from you (Sheboygan) and I live just a couple blocks from the lake. This thread has really got me lusting after a kayak again!
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I was actually kayaking on the southern Fox River, so I'm west of Milwaukee...

I was born and raised in Door County, WI, so I travel through Sheboygan every time I travel back up there. I've always wanted to take the boat for a spin there. Looks like some good areas to explore in your neck of the woods!

I don't think there's anything wrong with no formal training, but training does add to someone's skill-set a lot quicker.
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I agree with you 100%, and one day I will complete a few courses, as I do have some aspirations of one day being certified to offer kayaking instruction.

JGON
 
Terry Newton said:
What type of camera are you using?
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It's my piece of crap camera phone. My digital broke, not surprisingly on a previous kayaking trip. A new camera is in the mail and on it's way here... :D

The next round of pics should be much better.

JGON
 
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