Kayaking 101

Three months ago I purchased a used sit-on-top fishing kayak...which has been sitting in our storage room gathering dust and varmits in need of temporary housing. So Gana and I are chilling from Christmas and New Year's festivities and we get the idea to take the kayak on its maiden voyage.

First figuring how to mount the racks on the car and then loading the dang thing is enough to make a person give up water sports. But I think this being our first time caused a few headaches on its own and I'm sure the subsequent loadings will be easier...let's hope.

We arrive at a nice 5 acre lake owned by Gana's sister and husband. My idea is that if the lake needs to be dredged to find a body then a 5-acre lake will certainly be easier to dredge than a large impoundment or a river or the Gulf of Mexico.

So assured that at least they can find the body I set off. Of course, to make things more difficult, winds are gusting to about 40 mph with the occassional white-cap on the small lake, so it was rough. But after a lap or so around the lake I started feeling very comfortable.

So next it was Gana's turn. I exited and Gana jumped in at an area of the lake that was out of the wind so it was fairly calm...initially. She was a bit wobbly at first but she seemed to get the hang of it...until she hit the open water. That's when the SS Gana went awry. I turned my back and then a loud piercing scream punched through the wind. I turned and there was the kayak upside down but no Gana. In a couple of seconds her head popped up so I knew she was ok, but off I go running from the opposite bank to save my lady in distress. But about halfway around I see Gana standing on the bank, sopping wet, shivering, and shouting at me about my taking so long to come to her aid. In my defense, it's difficult to run during a bout of uncontrollable laughing.

Of course, we didn't think to bring extra clothes but fortunately we had the key to the lake house. Gana went inside and returned wearing a table cloth with a electic extension cord holding it all in place. That's my girl!

Reloading the kayak was much easier this time. Good thing else this could have been the first and last voyage of the SS Gana.