Today we showed the students how to use a kayak, including some safety skills like rolling and wet exit.
The kayaks were tied together in a star shape in the middle of the pool, but one was on pool side at the shallow end.
Most students were dressed in track suit or jogging bottoms and tee-shirts, some wore hoodies or anoraks as well.
Two of them came just in swimming briefs.
The instructor used the opportunity to demonstrate a few safety and comfort issues.
First he asked them to slip into the kayak on pool side, pointing out that the cockpit rim and some parts inside had rough edges.
They quickly got the point.
Next he asked them to jump into the pool wearing just buoyancy aids and spray covers directly on their skin.
They said that this was chafing uncomfortably.
He also asked a volunteer in jeans and tee-shirt to wear the same kit in the pool, who said it was fine as the clothes prevented the chafing.
After this short demonstration our two swimmers quickly ran out and came back dressed jeans and hoodies.
The instructor then pointed at the boats in the pool and asked us to climb in without using the pool side.
We all waded into the pool from the shallow end and reached the boats in waist deep water.
I found climbing in a bit of a challenge.
My wet jogging pants were quite heavy as I lifted one leg out to sit astride on top of the boat.
At least my hoodie was still dry and not heavy.
I put one leg into the cockpit, promptly lost my balance and fell back into the water.
Now my hoodie was soaking wet as well.
After a few attempts I finally got in.
Most of the others were still dry on top, but not for long.
Next up was the Wet Exit.
We were told to roll over, push out backwards from the cockpit and come up for air.
I was asked to demonstrate that and then assist the others.
After I put my hood up and tied it well, I rolled over and got out.
This went easier than I thought as I came up next to Timmy's boat.
"That's going to get wet." I said, pointing at Timmy's dry hoodie.
He gave me a big grin as he put his hood up.
He leaned over slowly, sculling with his arm to keep the boat on the side for a while.
The water quickly ran into the cockpit over his jeans and hoodie.
Whoosh and he was upside down.
"Hey, that's great fun. Let's do that again!" he shouted as he came up.
He struggled a bit but managed to get in.
"That's a lot harder with a wet hoodie." he commented.
Thomas in a dry long sleeve tee-shirt was watching this from a boat nearby.
He asked if he could sink the boat while holding it halfway.
I held his paddle alongside his boat as a bar on which he could hold on to.
He leaned over and we watched the water flush in.
Half his tee-shirt was in the water, the upper half was still dry above.
Then he let go and went upside down.
I spend most of the time standing in chest deep water, assisting everyone who needed it.
The hooded jogging suit that is our staff uniform for indoor activities kept me comfy and warm in the pool.
We had lots of fun during this session as we practiced a few more rescue and rolling skills.
Now we were ready for the lake.
