[Sportsandrec] Whitewater Kayaking?

Mon Jun 6 17:13:17 UTC 2011

This is an interesting topic. So feel free to explain some more of the 
details.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jessica Kostiw" <jessicac.kostiw at gmail.com>
To: "'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'" 
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2011 11:23 AM
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Whitewater Kayaking?


> Rodger, thanks for the suggestion, anyway.
> Audrey, it sounds like you know a little about whitewater kayaking...
> When I started about a year and a half ago, I very much had the attitude 
> of
> how hard can it be?  In a nutshell, I had no idea of what I was getting
> into... so I am not surprised that the list doesn't seem to.  Now that I
> have been doing it for so long more questions are arising.
>
> List, I don't mean to keep stressing how different whitewater kayaking is 
> to
> sound elitist.  There are just a multitude of very specific issues that 
> come
> up that wouldn't with recreational kayaking.  The most blatant is the 
> types
> of rivers that you go on, which are the type that you would whitewater 
> raft.
> But then with rafting there are a number of others in a boat and a guide
> telling you exactly where to go.  In a kayak it's just you.  The second
> biggest difference is the kayak itself.  The recreational kayak has a
> completely open top, while the type I am referring to is closed, with a 
> very
> small section open to fit you in.  The kayaker wears what is called a 
> skirt
> which tightly fits around the rim, or shaft, of the area where you are
> seated.  It holds you in place.  The edges of a whitewater kayak are much
> rounder than the recreational type.  They are designed to flip easily, so
> your hip muscles become very critical.  Flipping in a whitewater kayak is
> commonplace and even part of the fun.  This is where "rolling" comes in.
> The kayaker learns to ride themselves using there oblique muscles to right
> the kayak from completely upside down to right side up.
>
> So,  here is where many of my questions come into place.  So far the only
> way I have figured a blind person can do all this is in a tandem kayak.
> This has worked well, though one day I would like to do it in a single if 
> I
> can find a way.  I sit in the front as the power, while Jon my boyfriend
> sits in the back and steers.
>
> I was about to go more into detail, but don't want to bore people if no 
> one
> is interested.  I would love to go more into detail if people want to hear
> and are able to maybe help me think of alternative techniques, but also
> recognize that long emails are annoying sometimes.
>
> Audrey, which rivers do you boat on?  My best friend Tanya rows in 
> Oklahoma
> City.
>
> Jessica
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Audrey Farnum
> Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2011 8:31 AM
> To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
> Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Whitewater Kayaking?
>
> Roger, Rowing is a completely different deal than what she is asking
> about. Jessica, I'm a blind rower and I've done recreational kayaking,
> but never white water. I don't know anyone who does it but that's very
> cool. I'd be interested to hear about what alternative techniques, etc
> you use. I'm particularly interested in how you deal with orientation
> and steering. I think it sounds fun but I'm pretty sure I'd end up
> splattered on a rock. When I've kayaked, I go with other kayakers who
> give me verbal directions to keep me going the right direction. It
> works ok in calm water but I don't know about doing that in a white
> water setting. Of course, I haven't done it much so maybe I'd get
> better about staying straight with practice. I prefer rowing though so
> I devote all my spare time to that. Kayaking is just something I do
> every now and then with friends.
>
> Audrey
>
> On 6/1/11, Roger Acuna <kearney125 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> One person I know of is an olypian rower.  She may be able to provide you
>> with valuable  input.  Her name is Airael  Gilbert who works with Guide
> Dogs
>> For The Blind.  I'm sure she would be happy to speak to you about this 
>> and
>> you may contact her there by calling: 800-295-5040.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Jessica Kostiw" <jessicac.kostiw at gmail.com>
>> To: "'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'"
>> <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2011 9:37 AM
>> Subject: [Sportsandrec] Whitewater Kayaking?
>>
>>
>>> Hello All!
>>> With summer upon us, I have a question.  Does anyone on the list
>>> whitewater
>>> kayak or know of any blind whitewater kayakers?  This is very different
>>> from
>>> regular recreational kayaking.  I have been whitewater kayaking for a
>>> little
>>> over a year.  There is more involved as far as alternative techniques
> than
>>> one would think and I would love to compare notes with other blind
>>> whitewater kayakers.
>>>
>>> Thanks and hope all are staying cool and enjoying the exciting sports of
>>> summer!
>>>
>>> Jessica Kostiw
>>> P.S. If anyone would like more information on whitewater kayaking I 
>>> would
>>> love to talk.  My boyfriend is an instructor.  :)
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>> [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Everett Gavel
>>> Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 4:31 PM
>>> To: sportsandrec at nfbnet.org
>>> Subject: [Sportsandrec] The Get-Fit Guy on Triathlons & Training
>>>
>>> Here's a neat column on Triathlon training & more on
>>> Triathlons, from The Get-Fit Guy. It's in text and
>>> audio as well:
>>> http://getfitguy.quickanddirtytips.com/how-to-train-for
>>> -a-triathlon.aspx
>>>
>>>
>>> If I want to be realistic -- or maybe just not so crazy
>>> as some -- I think I can safely say the closest I'll
>>> ever get to participating 'in' a Triathlon is to be a
>>> volunteer on the roadside, handing out cups of water,
>>> or Gatorade, or whatever. ;-)
>>>
>>>
>>> Strive On!
>>> Everett
>>>
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>>
>>
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