Having not done a marathon swim before, I'm almost more worried about my kayaker keeping up with all the work that needs to be done, than I am about the swim itself. She's an accomplished adventure racer and is a great crew person in other sports. I know she can do the 12+ miles no problem.
Does anyone have any good tips for her on how to manage paddling alongside, plus managing the feedings and anythng else that comes up? Does she paddle just a bit ahead? Is it preferable to have a sit-on-top or shell considering all the extra crap we need to bring to keep us both hydrated and fed for 5-6 hours? Or do I con another friend into paddling as well so they can tag team?
I got some great advice on where she needs to be positioned, timing, water bottles on dog leashes, etc.
Man, I wish I had the time to go help support someone else and learn.
Thanks in advance. :)
Phil White from the Kingdom Swim has excellent kayaker instructions here, www.kingdomswim.org/kayakers.php
I like to have my kayaker to whatever side I am breathing and such that when I turn to breathe I am looking right at them. If they are ahead or behind I'll stop and remind them where I want them to be.
I also want them roughly ten feet away.
One last thing, make sure your kayaker understand what ahppens to the kayak in a side wind vs what ahppens to you the swimmer. If the kayaker simply paddles directly toward the marker in a side wind, you'll end up swimming a big curve.
Thanks Kevin, you rock! This is about 90% of what I was looking for to help my 'yakker. I guess we'll work through other details as we continue to train thru the spring together.
Phil has great advice! And to your other questions…
I suggest a touring (sea) kayak over a sit-on-top or recreational kayak. They typically have better stability, comfort and tracking.
I’ve never tag-teamed kayakers; the logistics seem too challenging unless you are swimming on a loop course or have a motorized escort in addition to the kayak. I’ve had experienced kayakers and they were all able to handle the 7-12 hours with no difficulty.
Like Kevin, I tried to keep my kayaker at my 3:00 when right-side or bilateral breathing and at my 9:00 if breathing left.
A couple of other notes 1) remember to pay and tip your kayaker, 2) after 4-5 hours into the swim you might start thinking that your kayaker is trying to screw up your swim; they aren’t it’s just you getting tired and cranky, 3) keep smiling!
Having not done a marathon swim before, I'm almost more worried about my kayaker keeping up with all the work that needs to be done, than I am about the swim itself. She's an accomplished adventure racer and is a great crew person in other sports. I know she can do the 12+ miles no problem.
Does anyone have any good tips for her on how to manage paddling alongside, plus managing the feedings and anythng else that comes up? Does she paddle just a bit ahead? Is it preferable to have a sit-on-top or shell considering all the extra crap we need to bring to keep us both hydrated and fed for 5-6 hours? Or do I con another friend into paddling as well so they can tag team?
I got some great advice on where she needs to be positioned, timing, water bottles on dog leashes, etc.
Man, I wish I had the time to go help support someone else and learn.
Thanks in advance. :)
Ask Tom how he kept up, guided, and fed me in Lake Travis.
Chris derks
