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.
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.
