Me. Kayak Debut! Lake Shikotsu, between Chitose and Sapporo. BIG success!!!!!!
Glorious hot weather, but a bit windy today - so I decided that I had to overcome all my worries and nerves and just load it up and go. Or try and go. Even if I just went for a drive locally, with the kayak on the car roof.
 |
The only red thing I could find in my entrance hall - a winter scarf... |
It took me about 30 mins to load the kayak, seat down onto the car and strap it down - then tie the cords back and front.
Then to grab all the things I might need:
* Water shoes
* Dry suit pants (bought finally from MontBell)
* Warm top/shorts/scruffy work trousers/life jacket/towels/change of clothes
* a HAT! .....that hissy tour guide who ordered me to wear a hat last year would be pleased...
* A bag to sling round my neck. Not waterproof...but...
* A blanket to protect the car roof during loading/unloading
* Ground sheet
* More cord...and scissors
* Camera
* LOTS of courage...
My first concern was the car and the kayak. And the wind.
I drove very, very slowly. Kept peering up at the tip of the kayak I can see over the front window. Was it moving?
With the kayak upside down (flatter surface) on the roof rack, it means that the seat well just about fits into the roof carrier area...so I can't push the kayak either forwards or backwards.
Maybe that's good?
I drove at 40 km all the way to Lake Shikotsu. Had to keep pulling over for other cars to pass. Stopped twice to make sure the kayak hadn't shifted. Had visions of the whole car becoming airborne.
And finally - one hour later. I cruised down into the beautiful volcanic crater with Lake Shikotsu at the bottom.
Off Route 453 is the Poropinai parking area, camping ground and tourist center.
Parking appeared to be free and the place was packed with fishermen and their families, big camper vans/station wagons - with trailers and boats - all lined up by the water.
I parked near the entrance and just walked to check it all out. Wasn't sure of the rules or etiquette - how close to the water is ok? Is it ok to launch a kayak near fishing boats?
After finding a possible clear spot at the far end of the parking area, I returned to the car and found a middle aged couple (plus big dog!) just coming back from kayaking and loading their car...just meters away.
Decided to follow their lead and debut from right where I was.
Unload. Snap paddle together, put on shorts, cap, life jacket and water shoes. Tooooo hot to think about wet suit.
And......
Smiled at the couple - as if this is just another day kayaking for me and NOT a nervous debut...hauled up the kayak and marched down to the water.
Wonderful!!!!! That second I pushed off the beach area and felt the kayak start to float, the water ahead of me blue, the sky blue...the wind.
Joy. Pure joy.
Like the first 5 m of skiiing every year. As you push off and remember why you love the sport.
I stayed out for about 45 mins. Just getting the feel of the kayak. The balance, the seat, the paddles. Quite windy.
I just gently paddled down the fishing boat line to the quieter old camp site beach beyond, just fiddled around a bit. Looked thru the clear water at rocks and tree trunks. Looked at the view.
Peace.
THIS is why I've been doing all the stressy stuff about car and kayak and clothes and car rack.
Peace.
Came back to the car park and decided to call the 45 mins enough for a debut. Need to save energy and focus for loading the kayak correctly back on the car and driving home safely.
Trip home was given extra spice: by an almost empty gasoline tank :-(
In my excitement about the kayak I'd forgotten to fill the tank and had the icon and flashing light giving me terrors.
LUCKILY - the return road is 70% downhill, so I coasted the slopes out of gear and forgot totally about the original fear concerning the stability of the kayak. Just getting to a gas station and freewheeling as much as possible was my main aim.
Did it.
And: called in at the Suzuki dealer to show them that - YES! This small, new model car can carry a kayak. I even gave the salesman a picture....and he and the manager came out in the parking area to marvel at how a small car CAN think big.
Home to celebrate and enjoy first sunburn of this year.
Yippeeee!!! Kayaking in Hokkaido has started.
Watch this space.