After what seemed like forever, I finally got to put my outrigger canoe in the water today and I have to say I feel frickin' great!
I did have to bite the bullet and buy a wet suit since the water is still only about 8C and dumping it would mean being very cold, very fast. After wearing it for about 10 minutes, it didn't take long to get very warm, but once I pushed off from the dock and got going, it wasn't too hot, not too cold. I broke down and bought boots (low) and thought I'd test it in the water. Straddling the boat once I was "out there", I was impressed with just how well the suit keeps the cold out. VERY nice.
I met a friend out there in his racing kayak and we did about 12km or so out to Ontario Place, back to the river, then out about 500M into the lake where the water was like glass.
How so many could live so close to the water and never see what the world looks like from beyond the shore is beyond me. Besides being great training, it's so relaxing to get away from the noise of the world.
Time for a nap now, then off to the gym!
I did have to bite the bullet and buy a wet suit since the water is still only about 8C and dumping it would mean being very cold, very fast. After wearing it for about 10 minutes, it didn't take long to get very warm, but once I pushed off from the dock and got going, it wasn't too hot, not too cold. I broke down and bought boots (low) and thought I'd test it in the water. Straddling the boat once I was "out there", I was impressed with just how well the suit keeps the cold out. VERY nice.
I met a friend out there in his racing kayak and we did about 12km or so out to Ontario Place, back to the river, then out about 500M into the lake where the water was like glass.
How so many could live so close to the water and never see what the world looks like from beyond the shore is beyond me. Besides being great training, it's so relaxing to get away from the noise of the world.
Time for a nap now, then off to the gym!
Comments
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http://www.freetrainers.com/albums/photo/84809/ I should take a picture of it on the water sometime. The outrigger normally sits about 40 inches away from the main hull via a couple of arms to give stability on the water as the cockpit is only about 18 inches wide. The paddle I use is carbon and is similar to a canoe ore, except the blade is rounder and has a double bend. Here it is here at http://www.standuppaddlesurf.net/2010/12/27/c4-waterman-carbon-double-bend-outrigger-canoe-paddle/. About half way down the page there are a bunch of pictures. I know what you mean about the chop. It doesn't take long for a breeze to turn glassy water into swells and then more!
Fyrblade
2012/05/13 -
[Former member] 2012/05/13Sounds nice. We use an old fashion canoe with kayak paddles in the winter. I can't tell you how many times we left the dock in glassy water only to have the wind kick up and have to dig for our lives to get home. My wide gets the bow so she gets the spray. Got a picture of an outrigger canoe? Do you use regular paddles, oars or kayak paddles?