Yoga and Sea Kayaking

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PVX6hATjfk



















I have been integrating yoga movements in training for sea kayaking, judo and snowboarding for some time. In my judo coaching/instruction I am amazed at how many young athletes have insufficient strength to demonstrate the plank. Since sea kayaking involves trunk rotation I have been practicing the warrior poses and triangle positions. In standing postures I make sure I am activating the abdominal muscles particularly the transversus. I have no specific skill in instructing yoga, but the basic yoga movements seem to me to make a lot of sense as a warmup and training for the variety of extreme movements expected in some sports. I have been using the Sun Salutation as a warmup for snow boarding and kayaking; but depending on the time of day, I usually avoid the forward bend part of the sequence and modify by bending the knees. Some time ago I picked up a Power Yoga book and I have a few key exercises I use to maximize trunk stabilization. I have also found the PX90 yoga DVD to be an additional resource and a alternative style; some of the positions I include in my exercise routine weekly.

I don't use every exercise and modify movements to suit my limitations. I often combine posture and rotation movements on a ball and use a paddle to assist in gauging the amount of trunk rotation I need.

I am also cautious about some poses and positions: forward flexion could be a high risk manouevre and this may be increased if forceful torsion is added. For me, inverted poses are potentially stressful for my neck and I avoid extreme flexion or twisting of my knees.

There are a multitude of styles and instructors within the broad scope of yoga. The key elements posture control, relaxed breathing, body awareness are invaluable benefits. Pushing beyond your available range of movement is not recommended. And twisting of the lumbar spine can impose too much stress on the disc.

I think a reasonable training goal is to replicate through exercise sport specific sequences that are meaningful to your activity and sport. If I can't touch my toes in a runners pose or include some rotation of the cervical and thoracic spine through the warrior position one and two, I may have some difficulty doing my roll, lay back, and or reach onto back deck of the kayak. The photo at top shows - clambering in, on or about the kayak in practice or in a real sea situation requires both strength and flexibility.

Aquaforte Paddle

About 40 of us carefully invaded the community of Aquaforte for this traditional end of the season paddle. This is a fishing community, so fishing vessels and other boats are frequently coming and going. We launched from a long beach, which is a small spit extending into the west end of this part of the harbour. We managed to putter around this end of the harbour while waiting for the whole group. Since the tide was high we were able to paddle close to shore where the East Coast trail extends. A group managed to paddle a short distance up the Aquaforte river. Once we were beyond the initial launch site we hugged the southern shore and explored the many rocky features and inlets. I can't remember the source but my recollection from someone knowledgeable in the area, was that Aquaforte Harbour was often favoured as a safe haven for many early arrivals from Britain; this partly was due to the deep waters of the harbour, as well as it's safe location. Apparently between 1675 and 1715 Aquaforte supported a seaonal fishery particularly from the UK. But the surrounding areas in particular Ferryland(which we could easily see as we headed out from the harbour, around Spurwink Island) was a hub of fishing activity from Spain, Portugal and English as early as 1500 on an annual basis.
Although we don't see any evidence of the whale fishery, in 1902 a norwegian made an application to build a factory to process whales.
The name Aquaforte is more than likely a reference to the only strong or fast water we saw or have seen over the years - the fair sized local waterfalls on the north side. No doubt it was even greater in it's capacity at the time Aquaforte was named or it may be that after a finding refuge in this otherwise calm harbour it was striking to come across this fair sized waterfall.
On our return we got a kick out of watching a gull give a bald eagle a bit of a hard time.I don't know if this was typical gull behaviour but I thought it a bit odd that this particular gull was picking a fight with an eagle.

Birchy Bay to Chapel and Coal All Island

This was an excellent paddle with a great group. Mixed conditions made for a varied day. Started out drizzling rain, cold and calm. Shortly after starting the sun broke out and winds kicked up for a while.

Indian Neck to Comfort Cove

The islands in this whole region provided a fair bit of protection and allowed lots of opportunity to rock hop if you were so inclined.
Incredible areas to explore and the chance to move in and out of every small cove likely extended the estimated 15 km distance quite a bit further.

Notre Dame Bay getaway

What a weekend!! - our central NL kayakers went beyond this weekend. The organizers did a great job. A major source of support was the town of Lewisporte and a number of donations were made by the office of boating safety and MEC.
Saturday there were three paddles organized. Shots taken are from the 15 km tour from Indian Cove Neck Provincial Park to Comfort Cove. A funny observation I had was that of all the places we visited - the only time I saw a moose was when it ran in front of me on the TCH just outside of Clarenville.
A number of us stayed in Woolfrey's Camping Park - clean sites and a place to all meet and share a barbeque Saturday and Sunday.

Practice in St.Phillip's

Usually when the winds are beyond 50 km I go and mow the lawn, head to the Farmer's market... but yesterday I got an invite to join a group on the water just outside St.Phillip's.
What a day to test a kayak and skills!
In the relative protection of this inlet and just beyond the headland you get a good sense of the power of the wind and waves. In the search for realistic practice opportunities this was the ultimate.
I was the last to arrive and the first to leave but it was a good though quick workout.
This location is close to St.John's and easily accessible - a bonus for me was the harbour master didn't charge for launching.

Ferryland

Whether you are hiking or paddling this is a great place to visit.
The hike to the lighthouse is about 20 minutes and you can get a picnic lunch. If you miss getting a reservation - bring your own. While watching a couple of humpbacks one couple shared a bottle of champagne they brought with extra plastic champagne glasses. What a spot - you never know who you will run into.