For Their First Time

by FH2o on October 16, 2005

Arriving half an hour late, Mike and his two friends, Guan and Law who had just bought a tandem Sevylor Inflatable Kayak at a sale while on holidays in the US, were eager to get their green ‘rubber ducky’ onto the waters for their maiden paddle. Both were grinning from mouth to ear with excitement and anticipation; this is going to be their first kayaking experience. That brought back memories of my first time on the waters. After giving them some basic instructions on kayaking and safety – wearing their pfd, how to hold the paddle, staying low while getting in, etc – they were eager to get going; but not before easing themselves … Guess the excitement was too much for this pair of overly excited kids with their new toy! With the tide coming in, Mike stepped into my double kayak and we kayak off from the jetty of my house.

Chattering excitedly, it was obvious that Guan and Law were having a great time. Clashing of their paddles and crashing into the mangrove trees were taken in good humor and fun. I swear that I heard no swear words. We paddled slightly ahead of them, looking back occasionally to see if they were alright. They seemed alright so we decided to kayak all the way down Sg Stutong to Sg Kuap where we would then turn back as it would take us another 45minutes to paddle back. We would be also be paddling against the outgoing tide on the way back. But I needn’t worry as they both did fine. They were already excitedly discussing plans to kayak to Bako National Park! I hate to spoil the party and had to gently remind them that the placid waters of Sg Stutong is for recreational kayaking while venturing out to Bako would be sea kayaking – which is another kettle of fish altogether; that would be more demanding of stamina, judgments and skills. Plus the light inflatable would be tossed about and may even be swept out to sea by the strong currents and wind. On the way back we were easily overtaken by an old man in a leaky old sampan paddling casually with his single wooden canoe paddle and leaving us behind in his wake! I picked up pace in order to take a few snaps of him.

Soon we docked and my neighbour’s kid, Zei Wei (who brought along some steaming home-made ‘bak-chang’), was excitedly waiting for us at the jetty. “Hey uncle, you’ve got another new boat?” Nope! I am crazy about kayaks but not that crazy lah! As the kid and I struggled to pull the 35kg Minnow II up to the timber deck and just when we could do with a bit of helping hand with the cleaning up and stuff; Mikey was nowhere to be seen.

While we were washing down the kayaks, this all-grinning duo sprang another surprise on me – Lo had bought not one but two inflatable kayaks! They would like to try out the other kayak, a Stearns, the next weekend. We had a great time and I think I may have just found another pair of “kayaking-kaki” in Guan and Law!

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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

Robin October 16, 2005 at 10:11 pm

I sure miss the fun.. I was busily choosing lights for the new house instead :o(

J. Arts October 17, 2005 at 2:48 am

I am really envious. With us it is already too cold. -1 degrees in the morning :-(
greetings from good old germany

FH2o October 17, 2005 at 11:11 pm

Robin, d lights will always be there but Tide and Time waits for no man! U have been warned - no more future invites if u cannot get your priority right! ;o)

tan and law October 18, 2005 at 5:38 am

hi francis, first of all thank u for teaching us how to kayak and the safety involved. didn’t know u actually took a picture of us peeing… also michael said it was ok to be late… we actually couldn’t wait to test out our new toy.

though a bit tired, we did enjoy the whole process from pumping up the kayak to tying up the kayak on top of tan’s truck.

we are looking forward to kayaking with u again in sarawak river this weekend!!

FH2O October 18, 2005 at 9:47 pm

Hi Guan & Law, U guys’ve been ‘baptised’ - so welcomed onboard! Sorry I couldn’t resist an interesting/unusual shot when I see one - obscene or otherwise!C u on the waters on sunday!

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