Day 5 - Kayak Day

This day we had a chance to try out several boats and gain experience in boat handling.

Early Morning: Swim Practice

Today's early morning swim was a relaxed event. Dressed in kayaking clothes, like tracksuit bottoms or leggings, tee-shirt and anorak, we swam a few lengths and had a laugh.

Morning: Kayaking in the Pool

Today we showed the students how to use a kayak, including some safety skills like rolling and wet exit. Most students were dressed in tracksuits or jogging bottoms and tee-shirts, some wore hoodies or anoraks as well. Two of them came just in swimming briefs. The instructor used the opportunity to demonstrate a few safety and comfort issues.

Safety and Comfort

First he asked them to slip into a kayak on pool side, pointing out that the cockpit rim and some parts inside had rough edges. They quickly got the point. Next he asked them to jump into the pool wearing just buoyancy aids and spray covers directly on their skin. They said that this was chafing uncomfortably.

He also asked a volunteer in jeans and tee-shirt to wear the same kit in the pool, who said it was fine as the clothes prevented the chafing. After this short demonstration our two swimmers quickly ran out and came back dressed in jeans and hoodies.

Getting the Boats

The kayaks were tied together in a star shape in the middle of the pool. The instructor asked us to climb in without using the pool side. We all waded into the pool from the shallow end and reached the boats in waist deep water.

I found climbing in a bit of a challenge. My wet jogging pants were quite heavy as I lifted one leg out to sit astride on top of the boat. At least my hoodie was still dry and not heavy.

I put one leg into the cockpit, promptly lost my balance and fell back into the water. Now my hoodie was soaking wet as well. After a few attempts I finally got in. Most of the others were still dry on top, but not for long.

Wet Exit

Next up was the Wet Exit. We were told to roll over, push out backwards from the cockpit and come up for air. I was asked to demonstrate that and then assist the others. After I put my hood up and tied it well, I rolled over and got out. This went easier than I thought as I came up next to Timmy's boat.

"That's going to get wet." I said, pointing at Timmy's dry hoodie. He gave me a big grin as he put his hood up. Then he leaned over slowly, sculling with his arm to keep the boat on the side for a while. The water quickly ran into the cockpit over his jeans and hoodie. Whoosh and he was upside down.

"Hey, this is great fun. Let's do that again!" he shouted as he came up. He struggled a bit but managed to get in. "That's a lot harder with a wet hoodie." he commented.

Thomas in a dry long sleeve tee-shirt was watching this from a boat nearby. He asked if he could sink the boat while holding it halfway. I held his paddle alongside his boat as a bar on which he could hold on to. He leaned over and we watched the water flush in. Half his tee-shirt was in the water, the upper half was still dry above. Then he let go and went upside down.

I spend most of the time standing in chest deep water, assisting everyone who needed it. The hooded jogging suit that is our staff uniform for indoor activities kept me comfy and warm in the pool.

We had lots of fun during this session as we practiced a few more rescue and rolling skills. Now we were ready for the lake.

Afternoon: Kayaking on the Lake

An hour after lunch we gathered in the pool hall to get dressed and pick up the boats. Whoever didn't have their own waterproofs was issued a red or blue nylon suit to wear on top of their clothes, so they would stay warm.

A few kayaks were drifting in the pool and two volunteers waded in to get them. Then we carried the boats to the lake and went for a relaxing paddle along the shore.

After just over an hour we came full circle and arrived back to the beach where we started. Most of us were still dry, wondering what chance there was for a good soaking.

As we still had a fair bit of time left, the instructors suggested we use it to play around or practice the Wet Exit. That meant I had get into the water and help the others. With a big smile I put up my anorak hood and rolled my boat.

Thomas was still dry in his blue waterproof suit. He asked if it was difficult to climb in and out of a boat with all these clothes on.

"Yes, the waterlogged clothes weigh somewhat more than dry clothes," I explained. "But it takes longer for the water to get inside your suit."

He gave me a big smile and asked if he could do the slow capsize again, like this morning.

Again I held the paddle out for him to hold on and he slowly leaned over. He said it tickled as the water ran up his sleeve. Slowly he sank deeper in as the water washed over his suit and into the boat.

Soon the boat capsized and he fell out of the big cockpit. With a big smile he came up again.

"Did you enjoy that?" I asked. "How do the clothes feel?"

"Really good, very comfy." he replied. We emptied the boat and he climbed in again, the water flushing out of his suit.

After I helped a few others for a while, we took the boats back to the pool hall and headed for the showers. We took off the buoyancy aids and shoes to rinse them and all our kit.

Most of us then hopped into the pool to swim a bit more in our canoeing clothes. This was too much effort so we just splashed around and had a lot of wet fun.

Evening: Tropical Party

Tonight's party had a tropical holiday theme. We dressed up in white jeans and t-shirts under a colourfully striped polo shirts. From the pool hall we could hear some load island music. This was going to be good.

As we got there it was pouring with rain in the hall. Someone had turned the sprinkler system on full. WHAT !?!

We stood by the door, speechless. The group of Thai students arrived and went in without hesitation, getting immediately soaked by the rain. "It's just like home," they said with big smiles.

The food on the buffet was kept dry by a roof cover made from ponchos. The rain running off this contraption formed a curtain of water around the buffet.

"Let's go for the buffet," said Andy and we quickly marched in. As we got there fast we were just a bit wet on our heads and shoulders.

The food looked delicious. We tucked right in before it got too busy.

More people arrived, getting drenched quickly as they walked to the buffet. Some had come in their ponchos, others stood under the water gushing from the poncho roof, enjoying a good soaking in their clothes. They picked up some food and settled under the sun umbrellas or on pool side.

We left the shelter of the buffet to get an inflatable boat and float through the warm rain. Before we found one we were soaked to skin.

The four of us poured into the boat, somewhat overloading it. As Andy pushed us off the edge we zoomed towards the middle of the pool and promptly lost our balance. With a big splash we all fell into the pool.

We climbed back in and sat down while the tropical downpour filled up the boat. The boat was deeper in the water at my end. Soon my white jeans were submerged by the water inside. Giovanni knew what was coming. He stepped my way and the boat flipped over again.

Alex turned down the sprinkler a bit to a light rain. That felt pleasant.

Many of the guests went to the drying room to get ponchos or anoraks. We picked some oversized hoodies and sat by the pool side in the light rain.

It was nice to watch how the hoodies slowly got darker from the top down while we talked about the wet adventures of this week.

After about an hour of everyone chatting in the rain, having a good time, Alex turned up the music and the rain. Lights came on over the dance floor. The party was about to start.

Dancing in the rain wearing oversized hoodies was huge fun. The dancefloor was packed with wet people, many holding on to each other.

We danced in the rain until the late hours, occasionally taking a fully clothed swim to cool off. Giovanni and I drifted in the pool on a large air bed, getting to know each other better in the pouring rain. What a party!