Self-Rescue and TV Shots on July 19th-20th!

First off, huge thanks to Yak Hopper and his son, Sean, for waking up super early two days in a row!  They showed up promptly at Millerton at 4:15am to help with the live shots yesterday!  We had four of his Ocean Kayaks out there!  THANK YOU!   

Sunday, Fresno broke a record with a temperature of 112  – conveniently, it was also the day Brian G and I set aside to learn self-rescue techniques.  I figured that I was going to preach it on Monday, I needed to practice what I preach! (If only I did that for everything!)  The good thing was that the water felt amazing.  Millerton was a great place to practice because it has numerous coves that allow the boats to stay out of your way.  We took my Tarpon 140 and the Cobra Escape out to practice on.  I had started off on the Tarpon, and he on the Escape, he demonstrated tipping over and completely flipping – also saying “The Escape is pretty wide, and this is my threshold as far as reach goes, so I’m not sure if you’ll be able to do it alone”.   

Let’s just say that I successfully self rescued on both the Tarpon and Escape, flipped and right-side-up.    Now, that’s not to say that I did so without some major bruising!  I managed to bruise the majority of both legs – HOWEVER, I feel CONFIDENT that if I’m in that situation, that I can self-rescue.  Granted, I’ll be the least graceful doing it – but all that matters is that I can do it ☺  So for those of you who haven’t gone out and practiced your self-rescues….. DO IT!  And do it when it’s hot and do it a dozen or so times – because when you’re tired, it’s harder.

Monday morning at 1:30am rolled around and I was up and getting ready to head out to Millerton Lake to meet everyone, and showed up at the gate to Millerton at 4, and waited for everyone to arrive.  Once we were all there, I buzzed us into the gate (it was before hours so the ranger loaned me a gate key).  We were unfortunately in probably the muddiest spot ever, but managed to survive.  It was about 81 degrees at 3:30 am, and you can imagine how hot it became after that.  We covered a lot of safety information and kayaking basics – including pets on your kayak!   

I planned on going back to work for a little bit and leaving around noon.  Unfortunately, once I got back to the Red Cross, my supervisor said someone from KMPH was trying to contact me because they wanted me for some demonstrations for their 10pm news.  After 5 minutes of me assuming she was joking, she convinced me to listen to my messages and alas…. They requested me for some interviews and demos on water/kayak safety to air on their 10pm news – and wanted to film it between 3-7pm  -  only the hottest part of the day.  Eric was home and I was completely exhausted but agreed.  Dragged my co-worker along b/c I was going to use the Tarpon, and mosied down to the lake at 4:30 pm – did some demos, and arranged for the ranger (who had given me the key to the lake) to interview.  Ranger Mark was so friendly that he talked while I tied the Tarpon back down, till around…. 6:30pm.  Which means, I got home at around 8pm.  Exhausted, probably a little heat exhaustion and downright done for the day.  Puppy was the same way.  BUT, all in all a successful day.  The kicker, is that I will be in the KMPH studio on Friday doing a segment on water safety.  And here I assumed Fresno was tired of seeing my face on TV 

So here is the link to all of the live shots/10pm news:

http://fresnomaderaredcross.blogspot.com/

They posted one clip on their website along with the 10pm news article/video, which is much better than me recording off my TIVO with my camera    BUT check out all the clips on the live shot - it was a hoot!

http://www.kmph.com/global/category.asp?c=170789&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=3974209

http://www.kmph.com/Global/story.asp?S=10759345


And of course, what post wouldn't be complete with some war-wounds 

The exciting thing, is that approx 100,000 more people are now educated on kayak safety - approx 70,000 each hour.  One of the drownings this weekend was kayak related - lack of pfd I'm sure.  BE SAFE OUT THERE!

I'm impressed.  You're a natural for TV!
Sorry about the bruising, but that will quickly heal.  Your safety tutorial will last forever and hopefully save lives.
Thank you.

I'm impressed.  You're a natural for TV!
Sorry about the brusing, but that will heal.  Your vids and tips will last forever.

Bruising is nothing!  Just bruises!  I find it more funny than anything 
It was fun incorporating Red Cross safety tips in a sport that I love!  It was a blast!

I should also add that we did have some mishaps if you will - if you watch the clips.
He self-rescued on one of the clips and I encouraged him to swim to the boat and he wasn't deep enough so he had to get up and stand basically, which was hilarious.
The second time he self-rescued, I had him try the pink venus, which proved harder than he thought - tried to throw the paddle over the boat to harness it but forgot to put his leash on.
All in all it was pretty hysterical - but found him paddling in between shots - I think we have a new fan!   

Michelle did great with her self rescue training. I had not practiced self rescue in quite a long time and found that I am not as agile and strong as I used to be. I was quite shocked how much harder it was getting out of the water. Thanks for Yak Hopper to suppling the boats and support while I was away at work. I was bummed to miss the Hogan tourny but had a great time at Millerton practicing with Michelle. By the bruises you can see just how hard she practiced and how many times.

-Brian G

Damn, Michelle. It looks as though youve been kickboxing. Good job. Funny too at times.

Damn, Michelle. It looks as though youve been kickboxing. Good job. Funny too at times.

Really, I just like to roll down hills with big boulders on them.  It's how I get my kicks   

Ahh!1! Too much flesh tone!!

Seriously though, way to go raising public safety awareness!

wow, that looked professional. i have never seen anyone leash their paddle to their lifevest before. i always leash it to my boat. i'd hate to get tossed into some nasty water and have that thing get wrapped around my neck.  i am a big fan of safety awareness.

Ahh!1! Too much flesh tone!!

Seriously though, way to go raising public safety awareness!

Sorry, promise nothing scandalous, just my legs... hahaha  ... pale. white. bruised. legs...

Even shaved your legs! I am impressed.

Even shaved your legs! I am impressed.

The things you do for TV   

Ya, rule # 1 on landing in surf, Never have your paddle leash attached to the boat and the paddle. My Bait tender almost tangled me up at LM. DOH!

Ya, rule # 1 on landing in surf, Never have your paddle leash attached to the boat and the paddle. My Bait tender almost tangled me up at LM. DOH!

I blame Brian G for that bad advice - that makes sense actually!  Thanks for pointing that out to me!  Because the times I tried to "harness" the boat with the leash, at least a couple times I feared my life when it bounced back towards me!!!!   

Well done!    Nothin' wrong with a few battle wounds to show for a couple hard days' work.