Water Time

Seeing that paddling in circles is not going to help me join the boys for their expeditions in future, angel Taz di di jio-ed me for some kayaking fun & to help me with my kayaking techniques.

We met up past noon and head to Beach Road army market first for some tummy exercises. Taz decided to join the queue at the Chung Cheng chilli mee / prawn mee stall. Out of convenience, and also to give this much raved about stall a try, I asked Taz to order a bowl for me.

When my chilli bee hoon came, I was alarmed at the quantity of bee hoon given. Later realised Taz had ordered the bigger serving of $3 (instead of the usual $2 I think). Didn't find the food spectacular. Ok lor, the dry bee hoon is actually quite bland even with the chilli added. The chilli is NOTHING to rave about. Not spicy nor fragrant. I really dunno what's the deal with this. Perhaps I didn't order the right thing, but anyway, good that I tried because at least I can strike this off my list of things to try liao.

Ok enough of food... back to the Kayaking ...

It was a really bright, cloudless and sunny day. I could feel my skin crying out in pain about the impending harsh beating it was gonna get under the merciless sun. At the road junction on our way to the Kallang Basin, we saw Kops & Bala at the opposite side of the road. They were on their way to the market for their lunch break from their 2-star kayak course. As I passed Bala in the middle of the road, he was excitedly telling me that I should have joined them as the Dancer was easier to handle than the 1-star Bandit! (zhun bo?????) -_-"

We rented our kayaks from the office. The guy attending to us happened to be one of my instructors (the cool one with shades) from the 1-star course. I decided to sign up for a 3 year membership since its cheap ($30) and that i would be able to rent kayaks at a much cheaper rate. Hopefully the membership will force me to practise more often and hopefully know how to paddle straight! :P

Heeding Taz's advice, I tried the Shalom which he said is much easier to handle than Bandit. He reassured me that there is NO way I could go in circles in that one. Ok, try I shall. No harm rite?

Di di was really really nice lor, helping me with everything. Teaching me how to get into the Shalom and PATIENTLY (and I really really mean PATIENTLY) guiding me, correcting my strokes and super encouraging throughout. True enough, the shalom is much easier to handle (more comfy too!! so spacious!!). However, I still have difficulties manuevuring in it. I keep spending most of my energy and strokes just trying to correct my direction and I just felt oh-so-tired after a short distance. Hence I ended up resting after every few strokes (-_-") and poor Taz had to stop and keep me company instead of paddling more and exploring the area.

With Taz's help, I managed to struggle all the way out to Sheares' Bridge. Wah! So happy! Like what Taz said, it is Sheares' Bridge seen from a different perspective. So true!!! Always seen Sheares' Bridge from running along Esplanade, or crossing the bridge previously during the CBD runs and last year's AHM. This is the first time I get to see Sheares' Bridge from below, from the waters! Its really one of the main highlights of the day!! :)

For a 1-star kayaker, the rule is NOT to cross any bridge. The bridges form the boundaries for the 1-star kayakers in Kallang Basin. So we turned back to return to Tg Rhu. The currents were stronger near the Bridge and I had to expend more energy paddling in. Many times I was pushed back towards the bridge. So tiring!!! Needless to say I was so relieved when I finally got near Tg Rhu (after lots and lots of breaks with me and Taz rafting up in our kayaks, under the hot sun and just chatting away). Despite the harsh sunlight, it was actually really nice just being out in the waters, doing nothing and just chatting and admiring the view. Looking back ... I still remembered from many years back when I first saw kayakers out at Tg Rhu, from my office window in Suntec. I was just so envious then and told myself how nice it would be to do that. I'm happy that I finally get to do that now. Beautiful.

While resting, there were loads of activities around us. There were many dragon boats out yesterday, and it was scary each time I realised I might be in their path and I frantically paddled out of harm's way :P They must be impatiently staring at this auntie trying so hard trying to paddle out of their way haha. Apart from the dragon boaters, there were also the 2-star kayakers and some other kayakers in very colorful kayaks. I wonder whether those were the 1-star kayakers, coz their kayaks look really nice, with bright purple, yellow and blue (i think). Very bright and chirpy colors that helps brighten the place.

We also watched the 2-star kayakers practising their capsize drills. Saw Kops & Bala with their respective buddies practising. Bala very lucky lor, got buddied up with the only gal in the course! *whistle whistle* Watching them from afar, I can only say I'm soooo relieved I'm not taking the course! Sure CMI lor! Somemore on the 3rd day they would be heading out for a 6km expedition. Think by the time they are back from their expedition, poor me would still be struggling at the 500m mark!!! If they had waited for me, think the 6km expedition would stretch to an overnight one! :P

I really really have to thank Taz di di for being so patient with me and helping to correct my strokes. Not only that, he was super encouraging !!! Reassuring me that I was doing alright, that I was improving etc. Really very encouraging lor!! With such a patient di di, how to not want to try harder so that I don't disappoint him ?? (hope di di isn't toooo discouraged with my performance lah :P hehe, dun worry, I will jia1 you2!!) Even though I ended up resting more than paddling, Taz just stayed with me to rest. Aiya, really a waste of his time when he could be paddling lor instead of just resting there ... *bow* THANKS TAZ!!!!

We returned to shore after about 3 hours and my legs were tired! I'm serious, I mean my quads were tired :P Struggled out of the kayak and Taz , still full of zest, just got me to wash up the paddles & pfds while he singlehandedly carried the shaloms back to the washing bay. Wah seh!!! champion lor! auntie here already bo lat liao!! :P Thanks Taz !!!

For this water time, I learnt that:

1. I shouln't be paddling using my arm strength(that's why I get tired so easily!). Instead, I should be activating my core and paddling by turning my shoulders. Me still trying to do this
2. To straighten my arms when I paddle. I tend to bend my arms
3. To dip my paddles closer to the kayak for my right arm
4. To sweep further out the kayak when doing my sweep, and not to dip the whole paddle into the water
5. My paddling strokes are very unbalanced which explain why I keep having difficulties going straight!! argh!!!!!

Ok, more water time necessary. Will I ever get the hang of this ? I dunno. Really feel v stooopid about not being able to get it! :P But nevermind, will just practise more and see how ba.

We washed up and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know what's to come ...