Certainly a number of “Throw caution to the winds” individuals on this and other threads
Near death experiences do make for good tales....
I have nearly killed myself sky diving, swimming, scuba diving, rock climbing, ice climbing, dozens of mains electric shocks, driving a car (or rather losing control of one and flipping it), etc.
Still here offering advice 😉
Kayaking is on the list of ways to try killing myself at some point.
I've had a bit of a mess about in an inflatable, so here follows the thoughts of a distinct amateur.
They are very stable when sat in them, I can't imagine capsising the things short of being in multiple foot high short period waves.
Depending on the model, the seat or lack of means you could well be sitting in a cold puddle with a bit of spray/chop/sloppy paddling.
They are slow and currents can be deceiving in their speed. A river that at first glance was not flowing led to a 50% difference in speed upstream vs downstream with gentle/sociable paddling.
They are wide which means entry/exit from the bank is hard. Even getting out when beached/nearly beached is a challenge as there is little (or no) rigidity in the bottom plate to push against.
sat having a mid ride coffee in south Q ferry a couple of weeks back. It was sunny, but there had been an overnight frost. Watched a bloke and small (maybe 5-6yr old) kid paddle off in an inflatable kayak, in jeans and jacket (and buoyancy aid), out towards the middle pier of the rail bridge. He may have been very experienced and had lots of kit with him, but after spending many years sailing on those waters, there would be no way on earth i would have put myself and/or a child into that position.
I've got one of those Decathlon inflatables (2 man) - pretty pleased with it, it's surprisingly stable & generally quite confidence inspiring when out on calm water, I take my 4 year old out on the local loch in the summer but we only stray about 20ft from the shore just in case. We went out one day when it was a little bit windy & once on the water it was evident just how exposed the sides are to the wind, such a difference that makes to handling so it's calm sunny days only from now on.
I've seen folk out in some inflatables that I wouldn't use in a swimming pool never mind open water, was a couple out in one last week - not even one of the un-seasonally sunny days - looked like a lilo with sides, was drooping in the middle with each end pointing skywards but they were heading right into the middle of the loch full steam ahead, it's only 5 ft deep but still - f*ck that
To piggy back on this thread (hope you don't mind OP)...
My Dad and I have both bought open water swimming kit over winter (wetsuit, neoprene hat, socks, gloves, tow float etc). We have decided to go for our first swim soon, current sea temperature is just under 9°c where we are. It's going to be painful isn't it?
Thanks for all the further info/advice guys.
I did take heed, we left it for today and will venture out the tail end of next week when its meant to be warmer.
The wind was absolutely biting today when I was out for a walk.
I went for a swim in the Medway at Upnor last week just in my boxxers ( was impromptu swim, mid bike ride) but I was ready to go in rather than immersed by accident and there was little wind. Different scenario and my son feels the cold more then me.
Bitter for first few minutes, then pleasant for another half hour as long as I kept moving.
i’m guessing you’ve never been to the medway…
True, never progressed that far. I think Ulla Slides was probably about as far as I got, then it all started going wrong
https://www.maxbilbow.com/upper-ulla-slides-and-sights/
You wanna try yalding sluice then. It’ll blow your mind.
and probably give you the shits.
Had my first proper 'open water' swim today in 8°c sea. Had wetsuit and neoprene hat, socks and gloves. It was fine tbh, managed 30 mins and wasn't too cold afterwards though my dad really struggled and was still shivering about 40mins after however.
Had my first proper ‘open water’ swim today in 8°c sea.
Eek
First water-based fatality of this year in our area- chap fell or jumped out of a shared canoe on the Eden, found after a prolonged search by divers. Sobering.
Link to BBC
As a paddler who knows that river, that reporting leaves me wanting to know more about the incident...
As a paddler who knows that river, that reporting leaves me wanting to know more about the incident…
Yes, nothing on the Paddler FB groups I'm on this week, but checking the report, says it was last weekend, and a report on ITV says he fell into the river from a boat close to Lazonby. I'd guess at it being a fisherman, rather than a kayak paddler. Kayakers generally / always wear bouyancy aids, so their body would be at the surface if they drowned, this one was found by divers.
30mins for your first swim is I would suggest way too long. You need to build up the time slowly. Yes you might feel it’s a faff to get your gear on for a 10min swim but like any training you need to start small and build slowly.
Well, finally got down to Upnor beach with my son this evening. Bit of a bite to the breeze but lovely weather.
Really impressed with the kayaks, a doddle to set up and then pack back up. Coped with my weight well too.👍
We were out 2 hours, against the tide on the way back to start point. It was absolutely bloody fantastic. So calming and got to see a much loved beach from my childhood from a totally new perspective.
Anyone on the fence about dipping their toes into kayaking I can highly recommend it.
Like.
My dad learnt to water ski in the Medway one spring. Without a wetsuit. Nutter.
👌
Yay, was eyeing the fibreglass kayaks hanging from my garage roof yesterday, and thinking of the plastic ones in Costco last week. That looks like a fine evening out, first of many hopefully.
👍🌊🚢
