Pool Paddle

Last night I had my first session to learn how to "roll" the kayak. Although many kayakers don't ever bother with learning the Eskimo roll, it's still considered a good safety skill to have. I was hoping it wouldn't be too much of a challenge since I feel pretty competent otherwise in the kayak. But it's amazing how disorienting it can be to be upside down in the water!

In the first place, it felt strange to be taking my kayak into the roped-off shallow end of the pool at one of the local fitness centers. We had around 10 or 11 of us trying to learn. Me and two others had sea kayaks (as opposed to shorter whitewater river kayaks). Other than an intense dislike for the strong dose of chlorine in the water, I thought I was doing pretty good at first, when the instructor was helping out more. As I started trying to get it right with less help, it became more of a struggle. I also discovered that the sprayskirt that I got with the kayak was not nearly secure enough for rolling.

We're scheduled to continue the sessions for the next three Tuesdays. So hopefully that should be enough time for my body to figure out what it's supposed to be doing. Today I'm pretty sore. I'm also a bit concerned right now about my right shoulder, after my arm "popped" in the socket during a couple of my messed-up rolls. I was able to continue practicing and to carry the kayak afterwards, but I really don't like the possibility that it may have been damaged instead of just hurt. So I'm praying that it won't be a problem. These kinds of things always make me think of Jacob. I hope that God didn't decide that I needed to be permanently crippled a bit to get me to trust in Him instead of in my own abilities. But I know our Lord is sovereign and pray that He will be glorified one way or the other.

I'll have to decide whether to get out and paddle on the reservoir again this weekend or to let my arm just rest. Hopefully normal paddling would not aggravate the injury. It looks like we might also have some interesting paddling weather this Saturday from the outer bands of Hurricane Ike.