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.
Whenever possible, I choose my own kayaker. Someone I trust, know I can depend on, and who knows me as a swimmer, knows my nutritional needs, knows when I need to feed, how best to interact with me during my, ahem, less than civil moments when I am tired and irritable, and at the grouchy part of a long swim. And sometimes, he makes silly faces when he knows I need it.
Plus, since he's my husband, he has to put up with me.
More seriously, he's the best kayak support I've ever had. I suggest working hard to find someone you can partner with effectively to get what you need during a swim.
In other circumstances, I agree. It's up to the race to give kayakers the best direction they can. But it's also up to us to communicate our needs.
Whenever possible, I choose my own kayaker. Someone I trust, know I can depend on, and who knows me as a swimmer, knows my nutritional needs, knows when I need to feed, how best to interact with me during my, ahem, less than civil moments when I am tired and irritable, and at the grouchy part of a long swim. And sometimes, he makes silly faces when he knows I need it.
Plus, since he's my husband, he has to put up with me.
More seriously, he's the best kayak support I've ever had. I suggest working hard to find someone you can partner with effectively to get what you need during a swim.
In other circumstances, I agree. It's up to the race to give kayakers the best direction they can. But it's also up to us to communicate our needs.
