Gear & Skills
Gear
| Kayak | Romany Sport (November 2020) |
| Spraydeck | Whetman neoprene deck (November 2020) |
| Paddle | Werner Tybee FG (August 2021) |
| PFD | Palm Roam (June 2019) |
| Helmet | Lomo helmet (November 2020) |
Apparel
- Full 3/4 wetsuit (September 2020)
- Shorty wetsuit (June 2019)
- Peak UK Cag; gift from Paddy (June 2019)
- O’Neill rash-vest w/ shorts (June 2019)
- “Aquashoes” w/ neoprene socks (September 2021)
- Lomo boots (November 2020)
Scuba Pro boots (June 2019)- Decathlon wide-brimmed hat (September 2021)
- Baseball cap (June 2019)
- Lomo pogies (November 2020)
- Scuba pro gloves (June 2019)
Safety/Rescue/Sanitary
- Standard Horizon VHF Radio; gift from my father (December 2020)
- Radio cover; gift from Leon [ECSKC] (June 2021)
- Decathlon diving weight-belt & snaphook (can use throw-line as tow-line) (September 2021)
- Lomo throw-line w/snaphook (November 2020)
- Lomo bilge pump (November 2020)
- Lomo paddle float (November 2020)
- Hand-warmers (June 2019)
- Bicycle lights (November 2020)
Other
- Water skin (July 2021)
- NRS deck bag; gift from Barney [ECSKC] (September 2021)
- Paddle-leash
- Stowable shock cord with velcro loop; gift from Emer [ECSKC] (August 2021)
Better shock-cord and shackle solution (July 2019)Terrible solution of a spiral key lanyard with non-stainless rings (June 2019)
Skills
September 2021
Having spent the entire summer since May going out at least twice a week most weeks, I have improved my basic stroke significantly. I should look into training to get Level 3 certification next spring.
I’ve also started practising with a Greenland paddle borrowed from Jonathon in the club. The loom length is far too short for me and my kayak, but it is teaching me the basic idea and I am making progress.
An article I wrote about my progress this year can be found here: Milestones
July 2019
Level 2 Canoeing Ireland certificate earned this month.
From a self-assessment point of view I would say my main stroke needs work to be longer (both starting further forward and staying in the water longer) and my turning needs work to be more precise. I should build up strength in my back, hips and inner-thighs
I should practice the other strokes we were taught on the Level 2 course: sculling, draw, bow draw, stern rudder.
I should get a paddle-float and practice self-rescue.
June 2019
None! Basic paddler with no training. I really need to either do a safety course or practice wet exits myself.