From left: Hejiang (3 Star Pro kayaker!), Bojiang, Eugene, Minjiang (Yes HJ, BJ & MJ are triplets), Me and Chleo. See those kayaks?!
As mentioned from the previous entry, I said I was gonna upload a picture of my kayaking group! I thought it'd be rather boring to just tell you guys about the whole kayaking lesson (since there's no pics as everyone's in the water), I decided to throw in 10 facts that I had learnt from this whole new experience!
Pictures are unavailable, so please do use a bit of imagination!
1. Kayaking is not as easy as it seems!
When I see someone kayaking on water... I'll always feel that it's such a leisure sport (that's why I agreed to go kayaking with the guys). BUT when I actually tried it... IT IS VERY TIRING, especially if you're a novice. For the first day, we were taught the basic strokes of kayaking and I went home with muscle aches in my arms. This is because when kayaking, we have to look out for the waves and currents and try to paddle to your personal advantage... A skill which I've yet to master. So for me, I merely paddled like how I was taught and well yeah. Muscle aches.
2. Kayaking ensures that you have muscles of the same size on both arms!
FYI, kayaking is different from canoeing! Kayaking makes use of a double paddle - that means that two arms have to be used to kayak left or right. Also, strength distribution has to be equal on both arms so that the kayak can move straight. If not you'll just be waddling about in circles, like how I did during the first lesson. Therefore, you'll get equal muscle size on both arms at the end of kayaking!
3. I realised that I am unsure whether my skin takes in heat easily or not.
This is how I look like now after applying layers of Hazeline Snow. It was much redder before!
Each time under strong sunlight, I don't turn brown. Instead, I turn red. Very red. Especially on the nose. This is where the weird part comes in - I don't get tan at all; my skin will revert back to its original fair tone after the redness subsides, but I get red very easily. Like after an hour without sunblock under strong sunlight, my nose and cheeks turn red. So is that a good abosorber of heat, or not? ._.
4. I need to invest in a waterproof sunblock lotion.
5. Kayaking takes a lot of determination.
Sometimes due to the heat and waves and whatnot, kayaking can be a very tough sport. Also, since it is a water sport, there is an element of danger in it - the drowning part. Hence, in order to succeed in kayaking, a whole lot of willpower and determination is needed to conquer obstacles, especially during expeditions. Speaking of element of danger...
6. I realised that I am still afraid of water when the weather's bad (but I overcame this fear during the kayaking session).
I have the experience of drowning in a swimming pool before, the serious kind like until I was unconscious and if not for the lifeguard on duty I wouldn't be here blogging about my whole kayaking experience. Here's what happened during the session:
We were supposed to perform a resuce act in the deep waters and it required the capsizing of our kayaks on purpose. The weather was not good that day - very cloudy with a little drizzle. That made the water seem dark and scary, especially when we were in the deep waters. When it was my turn to capsize, I just had the sudden vision of my past experience of drowning - can't see, hear or say anything, just muffled sounds of water around me. I felt very helpless and unsafe at that time, resulting in me unable to perform the capsize. I was so afraid that I cried. I'm serious, that's how scary I felt the water were. BUT I CAPSIZED THREE TIMES DURING THE SECOND SESSION COS THE SKIES WERE BRIGHT AND SUNNY AND THE WATERS SEEM FRIENDLIER :)
7. My coach is a pretty friendly guy who supports Arsenal.
I think Chelsea Football Club is much better.
8. It is not advisable to put water bottles in your kayak whilst kayaking.
This is because sea water may splash in and the next time when you drink from the bottle, the mouthpiece would taste salty and yucky.
9. Singapore seas are horrendously dirty.
While kayaking even in deep waters I could spot like MacDonald's fries box, pieces of plastic bags, bottle caps etc rubbish in the sea! STOP LITTERING INTO THE OCEAN ITS BAD FOR MARINE LIFE AND KAYAKERS LIKE MOI.
10. I passed the 1 Star kayak session and now I am able to rent a kayak and kayak out into the seas by myself! :)
And an extra eleventh point...
11. I AM NOT AS LAZY AS I THOUGHT MYSELF TO BE! At least I'm enthusiastic about water sports. I do excercise, okay!
Update: In case you're interested, the place where I went kayaking is Water Venture @ Sembawang. The course costs $45, might have a discount if you have PAssion card! ^^