Me too
My buddy taught me to snow ski. He showed me the proper ski position for a snow plow and then gave me a push.
I seldom flip in canoe or kayak, but
it’s always unexpected and a bit shocking when I do. If I didn’t have some training and experience the outcome could have been more painful. I paddle flatwater to classII, almost always in a canoe. We decided on a canoe for me because I have trouble getting in and out of a cockpit and can’t roll. I can wet exit safely, but reentry is not usually possible for me. I know my limits and enjoy what I can do. We don’t go places that are beyond my proven ability. We took lessons and modified equipment so that I can paddle with the hubby and friends. I took lessons and worked on my skills so that I was an asset and not a liability. I’ve paddled on and off most of my life and still take an occasional lesson.
Your wife is able bodied and in good condition? She probably can’t imagine getting into trouble. Everything that has been said about being prepared for the unexpected and inevitable capsize is true. Cold and deep water is unforgiving. I wouldn’t want to risk my hubby’s or friends safety/life by being presumptuous and putting myself in danger, knowing that they would try to rescue me. This may sound harsh, but it’s reality.
I introduced my hubby to paddling and tried to teach him some basics. It got us down the river. We joined a club that offered inexpensive lessons by certified instructors and our enjoyment has increased greatly. We paddle with experienced friends who have brought us along slowly. Other people have been much more successful at teaching my hubby. The suggestion to find a ladies paddling group is a great idea.
It’s possible your wife is more worried about your finances since you probably spent some bucks getting outfitted. The $200/per class sounds like a good value, but if $400 is a strain on the budget right now try to find a club or college program.
There are statistics available on the net. Just google it. It probably won’t change her mind because the unlikely accidents happen to other people. She’s not planning on having an accident…
Safety Is The Main Reason
to take lessons, but there are other reasons as well. I don’t know if you and your wife have already purchased boats. When my wife and I first got into kayaking I did a ton of research on what boats we should be buying and then went out and bought them, before we took any lessons. We did not have these boats very long before we realized we had made the wrong purchase. Then we both took two days of lessons, and learned not only excellent safety procedures, but also gained valuable confidence, skills, and knowledge that helped give us the information we needed to make an informed decision on what boats we should be buying. It was shortly after taking the lessons that we sold our rec. boats and bought a couple of sea kayaks, that we are very happy with and plan to paddle for years to come. So while I agree that safety is the primary consideration, lessons can also be useful in other ways.
Honeymooning at MIT?
That IS one smart gal! :^)
Pop a bowl of popcorn
Turn down the lights, and spend a pleasant Friday evening on the couch at home watching something basic, like the DVD Performance Sea Kayaking, together. You get to expose her to a wet exit, and she gets a “date”! (A little bit of sugar helps the medicine go down …)
agree!
I did that with my wife and she got engrossed in the show seeing how wet exits were performed etc. While she is not going to roll and wants to only be in a sit on top for now, she really enjoyed and learned a lot from some safety videos and some forward stroke videos.
Paul
KOLB’s learning model
Date?
Kim paddles. Kim is on her third kayak. Kim even has/works on rolls. Kim is even what some would call "low maintenence (meant 100% as a good thing in this context) would NEVER count that as a date!