Let me start off by saying this: It is my estimation that sea kayaks are ideally designed for those around 6-foot-1 and below.
I’m 6-foot-5.
Now, I may be exaggerating a bit because within my circle of friends, I’ve been known to be a tad bit dramatic.
But you get my drift ““ I don’t fit in a sea kayak.
That was my chief concern before I ventured out onto the open seas this past Saturday when I took the “Taste of Sea Kayaking” course at the UCLA Marina Aquatic Center in Marina del Rey.
“Taste of Sea Kayaking” sounded good to me because I was looking for nothing more than a taste.
If you can’t tell, I’m not a huge water sports fan.
Besides, this was the second water sports course that I’ve taken that was provided by the aquatic center, and for the second consecutive time, to my great surprise, I’m still alive.
Now can you tell I’m dramatic?
It was a glorious Saturday morning. The sun was shining, the birds were soaring and unlike two Saturdays ago, when I attended the MAC’s windsurfing clinic held at 9 a.m., I didn’t have to force my eyelids open with my thumb and index finger.
Once I got to the MAC, I was instructed by my new pal Brendan to go meet with Kathy, the other kayaking instructor, and get outfitted for a sea kayak, which basically means seeing which one you can fit in.
Ummmm “¦ what if we don’t fit into any? That was the first question that popped in my mind.
Kathy had me test out one kayak, which felt like it was designed for my 5-year-old nephew rather than me. Then I tested a second kayak, which felt like it would fit my 6-year-old nephew.
This would be my kayak.
Oh, the drama!
After a brief icebreaker with the other participants of the class, Kathy and Brendan showed us how to stroke the paddle, get into the kayak, and then we were off.
The initial plan, as explained by the instructors, was to play a game of leapfrog with the kayaks, but after about four minutes, when I saw that I could barely get myself away from the dock without a push from Brendan, I wasn’t sure how that game was going to go.
Anyway, after witnessing and being involved in several sea kayak crashes (no one got hurt), it seemed as if my group and I got the hang of it.
And once I get the hang of something, that’s when my competitive juices start to flow. I was ready to take Kathy on.
Or at least I thought I was.
She made it look so easy controlling her kayak and easing her paddle through the water, and here I am, this big 6-foot-5 oaf in a tiny boat who can’t even go straight for six seconds.
But once again, similar to my experience with windsurfing, my terrible coordination with the kayak and paddle, my skinny arms not being able to slice the paddle through the water ““ these factors are what made it fun.
Not to mention I got to show off my stellar physique in a wet suit once more.
OK, not stellar, but marginally attractive.
We kayaked all around the small bay and eventually, into the ocean at Venice Beach.
But perhaps the best part of the day was the sense of camaraderie with my fellow classmates that I picked up in such a short amount of time.
I met a UCLA administrator, a soon-to-be UCLA grad student, a former Bruin in Kathy, and two guys from Argentina.
And let’s not forget my bud Brendan.
Overall, it was a soothing experience to be out on the open waters and learning something new. The instructors were both magnificent and made the experience all the better.
It might even be safe to say that I won’t act dramatic next time I try a new water sport. As long as the water is not cold, my equipment is large enough, the temperature is between 80 and 90 degrees and I don’t have to wake up before noon.
Is that too much to ask?
If you would like to challenge Watson to a good old-fashioned sea kayak race, e-mail him at bwatson@media.ucla.edu