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Kayakers find winter outlet in swimming pool

by John Carpenter
Monday, November 17, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The lakes are frozen and the ocean waters are just too darn cold -- so what's a kayaker to do this time of year?

Head to the pool.

Tuesday nights at the Bartlett High pool, it's water polo in kayaks, organized by the Alaska Kayak Academy.

"It's designed to teach people how to paddle, all different types of people, and have fun in a pool by playing this game," academy owner Jim Gonski said.

This 10- week class was Gonski's brainchild, a way to bring people to a sport he loves.

"Here's a way for them to still be involved in a team-type game, that's in a relaxed fun environment," he said. "My ultimate goal is that they find a new sport that they can have fun with, especially during the winter time."

It appears to be working.

"It's just a lot of fun getting out and playing games, learning a new game," paddling enthusiast Dylan Crawford said. "I've never played polo with kayaking, so it's a lot of fun."

Mention kayaks to most folks and their first concern is flipping over.

"I'd say 60, 65 percent of all new students, that is the major fear they have," Gonski said. "We want you to get past it right away, so that you're comfortable, you realize you're not going to get stuck in a kayak."

So they work on a technique called a "t-rescue" -- once you flip your kayak you put your hands up out of the water and slap your hull.

"Everyone knows that's a signal that person needs help," Gonski said said. Someone will paddle to them, they'll bump their wrist, the person grabs hold of that boat, and then by using that boat, they can snap their hip and they can bring their boat upright again, even though they don't know how to roll yet, and we start teaching that first night."

With their biggest fear allayed folks are free to enjoy just being in the water.

"You learn a lot," Danielle Allen said. "And the people are here to help you, so if you're not getting it down the first time, they're very, very into helping you."

Gonski watches his students like a proud papa, and he's sure that once they've tried kayaking in a pool they're going to want to try it in the whitewater.

"I'm expecting a certain number of the group in here are going to find, 'Hey, I want to try it. I want to get on a river, I want to try it,'" he said "And once they get on it and they start to realize they've got control, I think it will open up the sport to even more folks."

The Alaska Kayak Academy is starting another program in January.

Contact John Carpenter at jcarpenter@ktuu.com