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...
the fact is we had practically no communication with the kayaker regarding expectations - his or ours...For escorted swims, I suggest you always meet with my kayaker / support boat to set expectations ahead of time. You need to work out feeding schedules, signals and positioning.
For me, I want my kayaker at my 3:00 position about 10 feet away. Since one of their main jobs is to navigate, if I get hit by my kayaker, it is my fault because I’ve drifted too far right. Or if I get too far away from my kayaker it is because I’ve drifted left. As long as I set the speed and the kayaker sets the direction, I never need to pick up my head to sight.
swam the manhattan relays saturday... my kayaker hit my hand with his paddle...
the fact is we had practically no communication with the kayaker regarding expectations - his or ours...For escorted swims, I suggest you always meet with my kayaker / support boat to set expectations ahead of time. You need to work out feeding schedules, signals and positioning.
For me, I want my kayaker at my 3:00 position about 10 feet away. Since one of their main jobs is to navigate, if I get hit by my kayaker, it is my fault because I’ve drifted too far right. Or if I get too far away from my kayaker it is because I’ve drifted left. As long as I set the speed and the kayaker sets the direction, I never need to pick up my head to sight.
