Make a Splash at Border Kayaks
Summer is just around the corner but we’ve already been experiencing some brilliant sunshine so when Steff and I had the chance to get out of the office and into the water we jumped at it.
On a glorious, calm day we met up with Anthony Pike Bowye from Border Kayaks on the bank of the River Esk at Rockcliffe to try our hands at Kayaking.
Having never done kayaking before I thought I be wearing a helmet and lots of a waterproofs but due to the calm water there was no need for it. All we needed were clothes that we didn’t mind getting wet and a buoyancy aid (the equivalent of a lifejacket).
In December last year I tried my hand at paddle boarding – one of the many variations of Kayaking – with this in mind I was pretty sure I’d take to kayaking like a duke to water, especially as it takes as little as 15minutes to become a paddle boarding expert. For a fleeting second I thought my hunch was right.
As our Kayaks glided into the water and I started paddling I’d manage to make my way into the middle of the river, I was thrilled. But it wasn’t long before I found myself going in one big circle taking me back to shore and crashing into Antony’s kayak in the process.
My main problem was that I was paddling unevenly and was putting more effort into paddling on the right side than the left. When I finally figured out how to start rowing in a line I looked up in horror to see that Steff, who I had brought along on the premise that she would make me look good, was already much further up the river.
With Steff in my sights I started to put what I thought was more power into my strokes to narrow the gap but the harder I tried the less ground I seemed to cover. I looked ahead to see Steff somewhere in the distance and on the opposite side of the river I put down my paddle in a defeated manor and asked Anthony, rather pathetically: “Why is she all the way over there and I’m back here?”
I was somewhat relieved when Antony explained that I was on the side of the river with a stronger current but that meant making a conscious effort to get away from it. Even when I made it to the weaker current I still didn’t seem to speed up and no matter what I did my ability to stay in a straight line didn’t improve. I felt a bit better when Antony told me that it took him a good 10 years to perfect a good forward technique.
On the way back down the river when I didn’t have to fight the current and I was far ahead of Steff, I started to enjoy myself much more and I was beginning to understand why someone would take up kayaking as a hobby.
While I could feel I was rowing against the current on the way up the river I couldn’t help feeling disappointed by the calm conditions.
Rivers are graded one to six; one being calm and six very dangerous. As beginners we were on a grade one. I’d expected something more adventurous with white spray but that is the beauty of the sport, it can be as challenging or calming as you want it to be. From sit on tops to sea touring and white water to paddle boarding.
So if you have nightmares about a bad experience where you were trapped upside down in a kayak you can try a sit-on-top or a paddle board but if you want something a bit more adventurous there’s white water and sea kayaking; the possibilities are endless.
If you’re interested in taking up kayaking Anthony advices getting to grips with it on still calm water, like we did, with a local group and then branching out.
Local paddlers need a store to try equipment out, to get advice and chat about paddling and that’s where Border Kayaks comes in, it has everything you could possibly want to take up kayaking or try a variation of Kayaking. Antony has over eight years experience and has built up a great knowledge of paddle sport equipment; he will answer your questions or advise you on the right equipment for what you want to do, whether it’s which Whitewater kayak is best for you or what’s the safest way to get out and enjoy yourself on the water.
We’re surrounded by water; there’s a fantastic coastline, lakes, rivers and white-waters right on our doorstep so get out and make the most of them!
Share It:
