Extreme Sport Double Duty...

[peacefuljmpr 0]

Have any of you participated in two extreme sports at the same time? If so how did you manage to keep up with the demands of both?

I'm interested to hear experiences. I did a search but didn't find anything.

I consider myself a skydiver first. I'm also learning to paddle whitewater in a small playboat/river runner kayak. I can roll (not consistently)...I have a hard time rolling in rushing whitewater while rocks are hitting my head and body. The biggest water I've paddled is class III (my fourth time on the water). Actually most of the class III ate me for lunch but I think I might have paddled one rapid successfully...it's kind of a blur now.

This past weekend I paddled...at the take out I realized that time in the boat makes a big difference in how comfortable and confident I am...duh...just like time in the air. Being on the river means I'm not in the sky and vice versa.

I know I can do both but I have doubts that I'll ever be a class V boater...

Pink Mafia Sis 139

Luminous beings are we...not this crude matter. -Yoda

[shropshire 0]

I skydive, paraglide and rock climb.... I can balance things out O.K cuz at my age, I know that I'm never going to be tops at any of them..

.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[littleskycrab 0]

I was a class V white water rodeo Kayaker for 7 yrs. I have paddled twice since I started skydiving (year & 1/2 ago). I hurt myself in a competion and took up skydiving while I was healing. Unfortunatly they are both "weekend" kind of hobbies, unless you live close to a river and can go after work and on lunch breaks like I did. Or you live near a weekday DZ. Or you could always split the weekend, one day paddling, next day jumping. The most important part of Kayaking, besides mastering the 3 kinds of rolls (eskimo roll, hand roll and emergency roll), is getting a GOOD fit in your boat. Do you have your own boat yet? When I say a good fit, I mean that the boat should feel like it IS the lower half of your body. Ok, well that applies if you are in a "playboat", not sure about the other boats... I went right for the hard stuff .

Both sports are a rush and are lots of fun. Feel free to ask me any questions you would like.

Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, "Do you like it? I did it just for you."

[Suavel 0]

I whitewater kayak in addition to my Skydiving habit.

I've love the local class III and have managed to slide through at least one class IV.

I've been kayaking since I was 9. I'm not exactly advanced, but the first many years was just riding the river with my family, only semi-recently have I started trying to rip it. I'm not great, but it's fun. The kayaking has been going downhill since the skydiving started though.

[Stumpy 284]

I used to kitesurf VERY seriously. Couldn't keep up both, especially not with doubled up equipment costs, so the kitesurfing gear had to go. I still surf reasonably frequently though.

Never try to eat more than you can lift

[zoobrothertom 5]

This kinda half-way counts. Soldier full-time and skydiving my ass off every evening and weekends!

____________________________________
I'm back in the USA!!

[peacefuljmpr 0]

I have a Jackson Kayak 2 Fun...it fits perfect...and I better not gain any weight!

Mastering the rolls is definitely my priority...I haven't tried to hand roll yet but I will soon. I don't know all the names of rolls yet...the first time I paddled I did several different ones...one I went over on one side and came up on the other...they said I did a "back deck" roll too. Sat. I did an offside roll and it was good. I wear contact lenses so I can't open my eyes under water at all...so it's totally by feel. Is an emergency roll the same as a bow rescue? If so I've done that in calm water but not in combat water...I don't stay calm and wait for help...I just swim out.

I like your idea to jump one day and paddle the next. So far I've been paddling in TN and NC so that takes the whole weekend. I want to find a place to paddle within an hour of two of me. If you know of a class II close to Birmingham/Cullman Alabama let me know.
My question for you is...when it comes to being in rushing water upside down in a boat...with rocks hitting you...did you need time and practice to learn to relax...to know that you are fine that you have time to roll and you are not going to DROWN...or did it come naturally to you.

Pink Mafia Sis 139

Luminous beings are we...not this crude matter. -Yoda

[littleskycrab 0]

Jackson Kayak..... I'm jealous!!! E. J. is a good friend, although I haven't talked to him in a long time. His kids are awesome paddlers too! I have 2 Eskimo Zwos and love them. I've had Piranna, Daggar, Necky & Wave Sport, but I like the Eskimos. Have you "foamed" your boat for a contoured fit? This can also help when rolling, it gives your feet something to press against.

I can only hold my breathe for 6 seconds, so it took me time to learn to relax. It's not always easy to know when the boat has settled into the right spot for rolling. A back deck roll is pretty much the same as the emergency roll. It is meant to be used in shallow, combat water. The best way to learn to relax & wait it out is by rolling over (flat water is the best to practice in, ie: pool, lake) and just sitting there. Have someone splash around and make "waves". It will help you to feel more comfortable just hanging upside down. When you're hanging in such a manner, tell yourself "not yet, relax, just another second". I'm impressed that you did an off side roll, great job! The hand roll is not so much in your hands, its all about the hip snap. Again, remember to make sure your head is the LAST thing out of the water. It will be a little harder to do with the hand roll. A bow rescue is a whole different beast. When you are upside and in trouble, another boater will bump the side of your boat with the bow of their boat, you will then reach up, grab their boat and pull yourself up.

Have you tried using goggles to protect your contacts? Some people use them and it has helped. I never could, but nose plugs were always a must have for me.

NC - would that be the Nantahala? Cold, cold river!!! But so much fun! I will do a little checking on some rivers in your area and will get back to you.

Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, "Do you like it? I did it just for you."

[littleskycrab 0]

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/rivers/state/AL/

This is the link to American Whitewater, all the rivers in Alabama. Hope this helps, it looks like it has some good class III water. Damn, I may have to skip jumping one weekend and paddle a river or two sometime soon.

Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, "Do you like it? I did it just for you."

[Mikki_ZH 0]

Quote

I used to kitesurf VERY seriously. Couldn't keep up both, especially not with doubled up equipment costs, so the kitesurfing gear had to go. I still surf reasonably frequently though.

So you sold your kite to trade it with a BASE Rig? :-)

Michi (#1068)
hsbc/gba/sba
www.swissbaseassociation.ch
www.michibase.ch

[BETO74 0]

I started Kitesurfing and I Love it, It gets expensive especially in the begginning but is something I do afterwork and wind is free, I live 5 min from the beach I really enjoy both.

http://web.mac.com/ac057a/iWeb/AC057A/H0M3.html

[PrairieDoug 0]

Another whitewater kayaker here.
My son paddles a Jackson 2-Fun and last month we attended one of EJ's paddling clinics. He's a gifted teacher and a really down to earth guy.

Doug

[littleskycrab 0]

E.J. is awesome!! By far one of the best paddling coaches I've ever encountered. Have you ever watched him in a competition? Your mouth will hang open in pure amazement of his skill (well, mine did )- gifted - he truly is gifted. By far one of the nicest people I have ever met. Damn, I miss him, maybe I should give him a call. Hell, I miss all my paddling buddies - skydiving took me away . I just don't have the time to do both, wish I did though.

Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, "Do you like it? I did it just for you."

[peacefuljmpr 0]

I'm going to look up kitesurfing it sounds groovy. One of the things on my "life to do" list is to learn to surf...at least to experience what it is like.

Pink Mafia Sis 139

Luminous beings are we...not this crude matter. -Yoda

[peacefuljmpr 0]

Thanks for the advice! I haven't foamed my boat. I have the foot bag that inflates and it works well so far. I used goggles to practice rolling in the pool and that was great but I don't think they'd work on the river for several hours...and I never know when I'm going to end up swimming it seems like I swim in a different place every time.

I haven't paddled the Nanty yet but I might get to this season...I went to GAF last year but it was cold and I was nervous and wussed out. My friend says I should paddle the Nanty the first time on a sit-on-top since that is more stable...and then paddle again the next day in my 2Fun. The Hiwassee was my first trip and I've paddled it several times...also have paddled Clear Creek. Barnett to Jet I had so much fun...Jet to Lily is where I got my ass handed to me.

Thank you for the link too. I will check it out...I've known about that site but haven't searched for rivers.

When I make it to the class III level maybe we can paddle some time.

Oh yeah I have a couple of E.J.s instruction DVDs I'm going to get them out and watch again! He is a great instructor!

Pink Mafia Sis 139

Luminous beings are we...not this crude matter. -Yoda

[littleskycrab 0]

Anytime! Glad to be of help!

That'll be fun. {she dusts off her paddle} Looking forward to your Class III gradutation

Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, "Do you like it? I did it just for you."

[littleskycrab 0]

"my office is 10 minutes from Great Falls on the Potomac River"


bite me
I don't live near a river anymore , willing to travel though

Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, "Do you like it? I did it just for you."

[PrairieDoug 0]

Quote

"my office is 10 minutes from Great Falls on the Potomac River"


bite me

Yeah, it's a pretty sweet deal. Tonight is so gorgeous... I wish I had my boat with me to catch some waves when I get off work in half an hour.

[woodpecker 0]

Skydiving...and other canopy related jumps
Scuba (not really extreme unless you count the shark dives)
White Water Rafting
Rock Climb
Downhill Mt. Biking and Urban Assault
Snow Skiing (double blacks and uncharted)

I do these actively year round so I lose very little of the edge (experience) on any of them. If you take a whole year off any you end up losing way too much.

Billy

SONIC WOODY #146

There is a fine line between cockiness and confidence -- which side of the line are you on?

[DZJ 0]

Incidentally (something I noticed about the title of the thread) I tend to avoid the term 'extreme sport' because it just seems to me to be completely meaningless.

[peacefuljmpr 0]

I agree the meaning of "Extreme Sport" is subjective and hazy at best...but it is used fairly often to describe sports that feature "speed, height, danger, a high level of physical exertion, highly specialized gear, or spectacular stunts" and also they tend to be "individual" rather than team...such as freestyle motocross vs. kick ball.
Anyway...maybe I should've called this thread "Action Sport Double Duty"? Naaa that sounds cheesy as hell!

Pink Mafia Sis 139

Luminous beings are we...not this crude matter. -Yoda

[angryelf 0]

Mountain Biker 10yrs
Rockclimber 8yrs
Kayaker 6yrs
Skydiver 2yrs
Scuba diver, Roadie, sort of employed, snowboarder, water skier, sailor for the past few years here and there.

Some basic truths involved with the pursuit of so many fun (but expensive sports)

1 you will have to work hard to pay for the gear, maintenance, etc.

2 your paddling friends get sick of you allways being at the DZ and vice versa

3 it is very difficult (maybe impossible) to be a master at any one-proficient, accomplished and skilled enough to enjoy the sport safely is quite acheivable, however.

4 gas for continuous road trips-yeah...

5 the combo of sports works if you have different goals for each one, enjoy the people you hang out with in each of the sports and are ADD like me-I bounce from one to the next and never get bored. you'll also find that you can learn things about one sport and apply it to another.(ex: in a kayak-balance and control originate in your hips, same goes for a lot of freefly positions, hips over your feet & close to the wall in climbing.)

6 have a good income/budget well or go in debt.

Good luck with paddling. Once you get gear it is way cheaper than jumping.Learn how to do things such as off side rolls, hand rolls and Pawlatta or extended paddle rolls. (and practice them as much as you practice more popular maneuvers.). LEARN HOW TO READ WHITEWATER!! So many people forgo this old school skill and get in trouble b/c they missed a very dangerous feature, thinking it was insignifigant. Never forget how incredibly powerful moving water is. Stay safe, have fun.

Blue Skies, Fair Winds and Following Seas (or rivers in this case.)

"Sometimes you eat the bar,
and well-sometimes the bar eats you..."