CCPE Adventures: The Kayaking Story

by Nur Huril Ain


Day 1: Saturday, 23 August 2008


What do you do on Saturday & Sunday rainy morning? Sleeps...sleep...sleep & sleep!

But sadly no, 13 of us didn’t.

13 of us decided to be "badak berendam" (floating hippopotamus) for the two days. So dear readers, welcome to the 3rd instalment of CCPE kayaking one-star Level course.

The last time Yours Truly went Kayaking was back in 2006 for an expedition. Being the facilitator back then, it was quite a challenge bringing the kids without having any certification. Even when the HOD asks, Yours Truly could only give her best crooked Darlie smile. So now when the opportunity came to own that certificate, Yours Truly felt like jumping into the water immediately without listening to all the necessary theory needed. Lucky for us, Fauzun don't drone like half lecturers do, but stuttered when necessary. He ensured that we pay attention to every single nautical, mileage, PFD, strokes definition and terms.



Despite the heavy rain, all of us (mostly first-timers) were quite excited to launch the kayak. After being instructed to carry the kayak from the shoreline and to wear our PFD (Personal Floatation Device), we were then told to hold each other’s hands and in a circle formation, slowly walk to the sea. To test our PFD, we were instructed to float on our backs while holding each other’s hands. If no one drowns, the PFD is safe to use. Right after that, Fauzun tested us on our water confidence by making us swim 50m to a pontoon.

After the 50m pontoon test, off we go with our respective kayaks. We did forward and reverse strokes including raft up. It was quite amusing seeing us do the “Raft up”, what with a lot of crashes; the panicky situations; some kayaks going out of direction. We had fun. Not even the heavy rain dampened our mood and Yours Truly wished at that very moment not to let Mr Sun come out. He never did.


Anyway, lunch was a total ROC (Relax one corner). Who cares about sitting prim and proper and dry? Even the pack Nasi Lemak got drenched with us.

After lunch, all of us went dizzy with 360 sweep strokes. Imagine 12 of us doing the same sweep strokes simultaneously. It’s just like water ballet but without proper synchronisation. The next thing we knew, the draw strokes were being drilled into us. Two draw strokes; The “J” and “classical” strokes are meant to “push” your kayak nearer to the expected objects, i.e. two kayaks, 5m apart and side by side. In order to raft out faster, we use the draw strokes.

Day 2: Sunday, 24 August 2008

Mr Sun came out to play with us for half a day and by then; we learnt new stuffs and perfected our strokes.

Capsize Drill is fun! Despite all the nonsensical stuffs gushing into our nostrils, everyone’s comical reactions were the butts of jokes the whole day.

Baizura is an expert in capsize drill. She managed to capsize with full confidence but unfortunately her capsized kayak refused to budge along with her as she swam towards the shore. *GRIN*


That aside, we also learnt TX rescue; either with 3 people (mainly the Lead Rescuer, the assistant and the victim) or 2 people (The lead rescuer and the victim). It was hard work though, and you could see all our rippling muscles after that - from carrying and sliding the water-filled kayaks. It’s not easy being the rescuer or the victim; it was totally mind-boggling and all our inner strengths started to drain out when we found ourselves stuck and almost giving up. It was a good drill that tested our mental capabilities.


Another draw stroke was taught: the “classical” stroke. Yours truly admit that this is the best and nicest style amongst all three strokes. You can practically see Fauzun waltzing ala Zapin (Malay dance) on the water. So delicate and fragile and yet with the powerful strokes you find yourself at the other side.

With that, we ended our Kayaking journey. Mean time, feel free to view the pictures in the album!

Toodles! :-D

Yours Truly,

NurHuril Ain
Marymount Convent