Horizon Flyer

Horizon Flyer
The weapon that will see me attempt the 2010 Classic

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Injury Update

Not as much paddling this weekend that I should have done but I have to treat this injury well so it is fixed forever. Only a 10km paddle today but it was a pretty intense one. I really pushed hard for the 5km back to the club. I gave everything I had and was knackered back at the beach. I did 10km, 5km out against the tide and then 5km back with it. 38 minutes to the turn and then 22 minutes back pushing hard with the tide also helping.

Seat worked well after I made a chock piece out of Tayla's old swimming bubble. Is only a temporary measure as I pick up the Horizon seat base that has no seat on it tomorrow, I can then fit the Bumfortable seat to that and I then have an adjustable extremely comfortable seat for my kayak.

Another physio session tomorrow too, so far in the 3 sessions the work being done has worked well. I am doing stretches every day and the results are coming. Hopefully this week will see the last of the regular sessions with Nestor (My Physiotherapist), will only need to go if I re-injure myself.

Last daytime famil next Saturday, Sackville to Wisemans ferry, a little over 30km and the last really big test before the Classic in just under 2 months time. Only a short night  time famil the week before the big day/night.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Hamstring Update

After an intensive physio week, every second day, it seems a paddle tomorrow may be ok. Will have to see how I wake up tomorrow after tonight's session. It is way better tonight, funny how much a massage hurts when it is doing good. Good to have a reason for the pain I was in during every paddle.

Next physio booked for Monday.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Hamstring Injury

Went to the Physio this morning and it's is not as bad as first thought but it does require treatment. My Hamstring & calf muscles are too tight. In the paddle stroke I am making it worse and it is causing the cramping. Looking at twice a week physio until it gets better.
Was quite painful having the deep tissue massage but it certainly feels better this afternoon. Next Session on Wednesday.
Another thing that will avoid problems was the seat, I have ordered a seat deck for me to attach the Bumfortable seat. That will be ready for pick up next Monday.
I have to get this right as I do not want to have another DNF (Did Not Finish) in my history.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Paddle NSW Marathon Series Race 7 - Woronora River

Well Today is done and dusted, not the best outcome but I guess just starting was an achievement of sorts. I failed to complete the 20km race distance. Was not the perfect day as the wind came up and made it fairly hard work.
Out to the Start
The Start
Lap to out bound under Woronora Bridge


All was good until about 7.5km into the event and the cramps started to return. I had the new seat but had only temporarily installed it with duct tape. At the 10km mark they had not gone away and I decided that was that I was not going to gain anything from trying to go thru the pain as I was slowing markedly from my normal speed. I retired.

After I got back to the beach and walked around it was ok, I also found the seat had come unstuck and was now 3inches further back in the kayak than it was when I started, it may be the cause but it may not be too.
I will book a physiotherapy appointment this week and hopefully the whole problem will be identified and a treatment will be started to fix it.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Short paddle yesterday & Very first Race Entry!

No big paddles this week as the new seat is still in the post. Went out for a paddle with some of the members of the club, plan was to paddle out to the head of the river and then a little more. As we were almost to the head we saw one of the club legends (80+ and still paddling a TK1) turn off and head down an inlet opposite Bonnet Bay. We caught up with him and he gave us a tour of part of the Wonnie that many do not see. We ended up this creek that was 3 feet wide in parts. Was unreal, funny things occurred too. One of the paddlers got stuck in a tree as the mangroves closed in over the creek. At the end the creek was too narrow for me to turn around the 5.8m Flyer. I had to get out and lift the kayak out of the water and turn it around.

Finally I bit the bullet and have entered the next Paddle NSW Marathon Series Race on the Wonnie next Saturday. It is a 20km Race, I have entered Division 5, that is the division that averages 10km/h.

The Seat should arrive this week and once that comes we shall really see how comfortable paddling can be.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Cramping solution

On Sunday I trialled a new seat in my kayak. A Bumfortable seat from NZ, was awesome so the solution to my cramping and sore butt problem has been found. I also rang Horizon Kayaks today about getting a seat pan made that I will be able to attach the Bumfortable to and then have a full adjustable seat once again.


Also hit the gym today and had a good upper body workout.

Sponsorship is almost at the halfway mark $457 raised.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Wisemans Ferry to Spencer Famil Paddle

Another box ticked off.

Covered the distance in just under 3 hours with a little stop 10km from Spencer, more about that later. Paddle was ok still having a few little problems with cramping and the cramping was the cause of a quite funny situation 10km from the end today.

On the Cramping, it was starting to get uncomfortable so I decided to head to shore for a short stop, stretch it out and get back on with it. That was the plan anyway. I picked what looked like a small beach in the break from the mangroves. I beached and stepped out thinking the mud would settle soon. I was soon stuck fast up to my hips in the mud. Would have looked quite funny, After 10 minutes the SES sweep boat came over and gave me a hand getting out of the little sticking point I was in. I was now covered in mud and paddling once again, I got a second wind as I tried to catch back up to the kayaks that passed me whilst stuck. I was sitting on 11km/h &  I caught one out of the 2 that passed me.



Was very funny and all the guys had a laugh when I told them about it.

Another paddle planned for tomorrow morning.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Famil Paddle Tomorrow

Tomorrow will be an important paddle as it will be a familirisation paddle from Wisemans Ferry to Spencer. Due to my retirement from last years event I have not paddled this section of the river. Talking to fellow paddlers they have all told me that this is a good famil paddle to do. Not sure of the time I will be able to do but hopefully wont be like the Sackville to Wisemans Ferry paddle last year where I lost the pack in under 30 minutes. I guess it was going to be tough paddling the sit on top fishing kayak :) Totally different with the Flyer this year.

On the sponsorship front, monies raised so far are almost 50% to the target of $1000, $457 raised online plus the additional funding from raffles and the like.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

15km Paddle today.

After yesterday I thought today would be tough and I would not be able to do too much. I was still sore this morning when I got up and actually had to motivate myself to get down to the club.
Once at the club I was still a little tentative of the paddle we planned. 14km to the Needles upstream, with the tide there and fighting the tide back. Once on the water I was ok, in just on an hour we were sitting at the Needles eating Wendy's home made chocolates, yum.

Also thanks to Merle for taking some shots for me today. I finally have a few shots of the me actually in the kayak.
14km down and almost back to the clubhouse


Another bonus today was Col lending me his Stealth paddle, it makes so much difference!. I measured my paddle this afternoon, it is 230cm! way too long for marathon paddling. I have been told to get a paddle between 214 & 216 cm. If that is correct my paddle is over 15cm too long!!!! No wonder I am getting tired.

This afternoon I had to make a tough decision, I had to drill holes in my kayak. I have now fitted some saddles so that I can attach my bag to the front deck.

Bag fitted to front Deck


A few little tweaks to the kayak required this week before my big litmus test on Saturday, the Wisemans Ferry to Spencer familarisation paddle for the Hawkesbury Classic, just over 30km.