ISU Bengal

Issue date: 3/28/07 Section: Outdoor

Media Credit: LIONEL HAHN/ABACA PRESS Benoit Peschier of France makes his way down the course for a gold medal in the K1 kayak singles at the 2004 Olympic Games.

While the weather has been warming for the most part, it is still a bit cool outside for all but the most die-hard kayakers. Fortunately for ISU students, Reed Gym provides a great opportunity to enjoy the sport indoors. During much of the fall and spring semesters, ISU provides open kayaking in the Reed Gym pool on Thursday evenings from 5-8p.m.

Although this opportunity sounded fun, I had not made the time for myself to go until this past Thursday. After trying it, I now really wish that I would have gone sooner. I was a bit worried due to the fact that I had never kayaked before, and did not know how much help or instruction would be provided.

When we arrived, a very excited and cheerful instructor named Katherine (I apologize to her if I have spelled her name incorrectly due to the various spellings of Kathryn) right away made us feel comfortable with our new surroundings in the small boats. She taught us a few basics of safety and helped us into the water. Within minutes we were able to perform a "wet escape" and were ready to start paddling around.

A bit later Katherine was relieved by David Scott, an instructor that teaches classes and helps oversee the Open Kayaking at Reed Gym,and again we were excited about his enthusiasm and knowledge. He helped us with paddling strokes, and taught us a basic bow rescue. The bow rescue was taught step by step, which made me feel comfortable in learning it and aided in me being successful at it.

If you do not know what a wet escape or a bow rescue is, I highly recommend giving open kayaking a whirl. Those who work to put on open kayaking and the kayaking classes at Reed Gym are not only experts at the sport, but also great teachers who are excited about teaching others the sport. There were others at the pool, who were learning more advanced techniques and skills as well, so do not think that just because you already know the basics of kayaking you would not benefit from the experience. For us, this experience was one that we will not soon forget.

If you decide to give Open Kayaking a try, you will need to decide quickly because this is the last week that it is open due to the intermediate kayaking class taking over the pool after this week. Bring your swimming suit and a towel, and nose plugs if you dislike water up the nose. Whether it happens this week or sometime next fall, be sure to take advantage .

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