This is what I like to call my ‘at sea concerned face’ This is the face of a woman afloat in the Tasman sea who has just been told by their kayaking partner who is in charge of the rudder, that they have never been in a kayak, are afraid of water and have no sense of direction.
My role as navigator and photographer also included chief side panic paddler. A zig zagged kayak hour later this trilogy of worry played out as we landed ourselves on the only rock in the sea. We also got ourselves off the only rock in the sea, before zig zagging towards Adele Island for some seal spotting. I’m averaging a seal every 16-24 hours at the moment, so it was time for my next fix.
My East Midlands value for money mentality perspective is seeing this as a free adventurous rocky terrain add-on to the morning’s sea kayaking around Abel Tasman National Park.
Luckily the 4 hour hike back to Marahau was through the dense national park forest on a designated directional, less rocky and firmly signposted path.
Oh oh I have just booked a kayaking (and more) trip for D and I when we go to the Land of Thai. Dave is wary. This post shows it all works out in the end…
My only advice – Take charge of the rudder x
My wife and I decided that our marriage was too important to buy a double kayak! Whilst the stern paddler usually controls the rudder, the one in front has the advantage of being able to shovel water on the head of the one behind.
Stewart
This is sound advice and good kayak relationship advice!