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Kayaking: How Mountain Trek introduces you to the sport. During the Summer Programs at Mountain
Trek, many guests chose to add in to their week of hiking, one or two days
of kayaking. It has proven to be a great combination with a hiking
program…the mainly upper body
Travel to the launching area is a short drive from the Lodge, usually a 15 to 25 minute trip. The site is chosen on the day depending on the weather and direction of the wind. A calm day will find the group paddling across the lake to a secluded beach complete with waterfall. Windy days often mean that the group will start out from a different location, and then travel along the shoreline. The average distance covered in the day will be 10-14 km. Helene is not distance orientated, but rather, focused on the enjoyment and safety of the trip. After the kayaks and gear have been
carried to the beach, Helene will then spend the next while giving
instructions, going over the gear,
Once the last minute details of applying sunscreen, taking a rest stop, making sure the lunches are packed and assigning the kayaks have been covered, it's then time to take to the water. In just a short while the uncertainty of a new environment fades, and Helene watches as all begin to feel comfortable in their crafts. As each person starts to develop his or her "sea legs", the enjoyment quotient rises. The next 1˝ to 2 hours will be spent paddling, and then the group will pull up for lunch and a break before it's time to paddle back to the point of origin. It is not uncommon for Osprey, Eagles or Blue Herons to be spotted, and guests are treated to the new vantage point of viewing the land from the water. Throughout the day Helene provides information about the local area, and continues to monitor progress and offer instruction and tips, and there is time given to the pure and simple pleasure of listening to the solitude being ever so gently disturbed by the rhythmic dipping of the paddle.
Kayaking 101 WHITE WATER: These are the shortest of the kayaks (6-8 ft.). Usually one man only, they are constructed to turn on a dime, an essential factor when speed and constant obstacles are a part of the trip. A calm river glide is one thing, but the jump from that to hurling down a length of rapids is a journey reflecting the use of practiced skills. Due to their unstable nature (tip very easily), these kayaks are not recommended for sea or lake use. SEA: Much longer, (average length is 17-18 ft.) these kayaks are more stable than a white water kayak or a canoe, with a double being slightly more stable than a single. They are made to travel in a straight line and have a rudder for steering. Their construction design (contain sealed compartments) adds to the safety factor. They are more buoyant, and in the event of tipping the entire structure will not fill with water. This type of kayak is good for sea or lake usage. LAKE: These kayaks are often of the
hybrid variety, and represent a range of lengths. They are usually shorter
than a sea kayak, cheaper, and available in double or single occupancy.
Often constructed of plastic, they lack the buoyancy of a sea kayak.
Either it will lack the sealed chambers completely, and therefore fill
with water upon tipping, or it will contain just one chamber, which will
then place it bobbing with one end down in the event of a tip. Because
they are not as streamlined as a sea kayak, they are also not as
responsive, but they remain quite stable due to a broader base, and are
therefore well suited to lake use. | FitPlan |
Mountain Trek Fitness
Retreat & Health Spa, |
workout of kayaking playing off nicely
against the mainly lower body workout of hiking. Guests who have chosen
the option for a day on the lake begin that day the same as the other
guests…early morning Yoga and Stretch class, followed by a delicious
breakfast to kick start the day. As the start of the morning is unfolding,
Helene Hogue, Mountain Trek's kayaking guide and instructor is busy
checking the kayaks and gear, making sure that everything is in order. She
then joins the guests in the dining room and fills them in on preparing
for the day…proper clothing to wear, extras to bring along, amount of
water to carry (at least 2 litres/person) etc. A short while later, the
group is loaded in the vehicle(s) and ready to roll. If the group is small
(5 or less) then Helene takes the group out on her own, whereas another
guide will join the group if the numbers increase above 5.
paddling techniques and safety
procedures. She begins by going over the parts of a kayak (cockpit,
hatches, foot brace, rudder etc.) and demonstrates the use of the rudder,
how to adjust the foot brace and how to put the spray skirt on. Mountain
Trek's sea kayaks are fiberglass, either singles or doubles, made by
Seaward. The doubles are slightly more stable than the singles, but the
"how to" instructions insure that all enter their crafts and
start off in a safe and controlled manner. Proper getting in and out, how
to sit correctly and good leg position are demonstrated, as well as the
best way to launch and land the kayaks, taking into consideration both
calm and choppy water. Paddling technique is discussed, demonstrated and
practiced, so that everyone becomes comfortable with the forward,
backwards and sweep stroke. As a final nod to the nature of the
beast…Helene spends time going over what to do in the event of a spill.
If you're like me, the Eskimo Roll pops up in your mind's eye, yet this is
actually too complex a maneuver to attempt, and is put aside to instead
focus on the technique of getting out of the spray skirt, flipping the
kayak back over and getting back in. Surprisingly, Helene reports that
very few people capsize (on average, 2-3 per year) and all cases can be
attributed to a mishap when getting in or out, or because the person
leaned too far over. Women have the advantage here, because their center
of gravity is lower, helping to keep the craft more stable.
It's a rich day. No two trips are ever
the same given the variables of group dynamics, the weather, and the
season, but there is one constant that surfaces. Each guest will come away
having accomplished a new skill, or having improved on an old one, and
each guest will have a new collection of beautiful images for their memory
banks.