want some feedback on experience with kayakers... both assigned and general swim support.
I have been hit by kayaks and kayakers approximately a half-dozen times... 3 times they were either not my assigned kayaker or they were simply general swim support.
I appreciate ALL volunteers but I think many races fail to communicate what is the role and responsibility of kayakers.
It is not my intent to bash kayakers with this thread but to solicit opinions on the role / responsibility of the kayaker to the swimmer.
swam the manhattan relays saturday... my kayaker hit my hand with his paddle during the first leg of the race AND a second kayaker ran up my back - both during the early first leg working my way around the south tip of manhattan island.
needless to say i was pretty unamused, and actually stopped swimming to state, 'let me know if i'm getting in your way here.'
my thought was that our assigned kayaker MIGHT actually think one duty was to save us from drowning.
our kayaker improved during the length of the swim. our team saw him at the post-swim dinner. the fact is we had practically no communication with the kayaker regarding expectations - his or ours.
a few thoughts on a kayaker's primary duties;
- sighting for his swimmer in regard to landmarks, buoys and moving water
- water and nutrition support
- protecting the swimmer from vessel traffic, i.e. create a larger sight image / footprint
swam the manhattan relays saturday... my kayaker hit my hand with his paddle during the first leg of the race AND a second kayaker ran up my back - both during the early first leg working my way around the south tip of manhattan island.
needless to say i was pretty unamused, and actually stopped swimming to state, 'let me know if i'm getting in your way here.'
my thought was that our assigned kayaker MIGHT actually think one duty was to save us from drowning.
our kayaker improved during the length of the swim. our team saw him at the post-swim dinner. the fact is we had practically no communication with the kayaker regarding expectations - his or ours.
a few thoughts on a kayaker's primary duties;
- sighting for his swimmer in regard to landmarks, buoys and moving water
- water and nutrition support
- protecting the swimmer from vessel traffic, i.e. create a larger sight image / footprint
