kayak-Polytech'

Date: 1st-4th March 2011.
Location: Hokitika pool, Greymouth pool, Grey river, Arahura river, & the Arnold river.
Weather: Nice day on the Arahura, drizzle and cold on the Grey and Arnold river.
Group Members: Outdoor Rec Group 2
Grade: 2
Key Learning: Different types of strokes, T-recuing, wet exits, rolling, eddying in and out.
Incidents: none

1st day of kayak we headed to a lake to practise the different types of strokes such as the sweep stroke. Learnt how to T-rescue each other and wet exit. at the end of the day, i got told to try a roll so i gave it a shot and managed to get it, although it was pritty bad i was still stoked i got up. Packed up and left after a good 5-6hr day.
2nd day we headed to the Hokitika indoor pool and got taught how to roll. To actually come out with the correct way to roll was a really good feeling at the end of the day. Then we intended on paddling the Arahura river but it was too high from the night before so we went to the Grey river instead. There, we got taught how to paddle in and out of eddies correctly and practised rolling in the eddies aswell. Good day overall.
3rd day we went to the indoor pool in Greymouth to go over our rolls and practise them more before heading to the Arahura river which wasn't as high as the day before. Was a really nice warm day too which was sweet. Went over more eddy work and a few rolls in a small current/rapid which made me a little more confident. We headed more down the river to a slightly bigger rapid where i purposly rolled over my kayak and tried to roll back up twice but didn't get it. Tried for a T-rescue but got out of breath and had to wet exit. That made my confidence go down a bit but the river was really good to paddle. Had a fun day.
4th day we went strait to the Arnold for the whole day. At the start of the river we got told to roll just in the eddy we were in and mine went to pieces. My initiation was off  so failed the roll a couple of times. Didn't make me too happy about it because my confidence goes. More down the river we were just practising getting in and out of eddy's again and 's' turns then had a go at the buffer wave. Fun four days of kayak.