A Little Patience

H wanted to get on the water this weekend. We are heading to Maine for a kayaking trip next weekend, and she wanted to get on the water at least once before then. She bought a whole new cold water kit - a Koktat dry top and dry pants.
There was a scheduled trip leaving out of Sakonnet Point on Saturday, but H didn't think that would be a good first paddle. Sakonnet point can get dicy and the trip was rated a level 3. She wanted something tamer, so we were thinking about Narrow River on Saturday. It is sheltered, flat, and pretty.
By Wednesday, the forecast for the weekend was looking bleak. Saturday was going to be windy and wet. Sunday was looking like the day to paddle. PB sent out an e-mail to see if we were interested in a Sunday paddle, but made it clear he would rather not paddle Narrow River. He wanted something tame, but not flat.
Since Sunday was Mother's Day, H and I had to reschedule lunch with her Mom if we wanted to paddle. Fortunately, H's Mom is a very understanding lady and agreed to have Mother's Day on Saturday, so we could kayak on Sunday.
We decided on paddling from Oakland Beach in West Warwick to Patience Island. On the chart it looked like an easy paddle in Upper Narragansett Bay. The beginning of the paddle is sheltered, the middle of the paddle is a short crossing, and the last stretch is along the coasts of Prudence and Patience. All told, it is about an 8 mile round trip.
The weather was great for an early summer paddle. There was a little chill in the air, but the sun was bright. I was looking forward to a paddle.
We were a little late getting on the road. H and I are a little rusty when it comes to loading both sets of gear and both kayaks on the egg. It has been months since we did it. Getting my act together and one kayak on the egg is not always easy. Adding another set of gear, and another person, into the mix is exponentially harder - at least the first time.
Getting to the launch was also harder than we anticipated. We had directions to Oakland Beach - not the boat ramp. The area near the beach, and the boat ramp, is a morass of little one way streets. After 15 frustrating minutes, we finally found the boat ramp where PB was waiting.
Fortunately, getting the kayaks off of the cars and ready to paddle was smooth and quick. We had the normal, for this time of year, debate about how many layers to wear under the drysuit. We opted for one layer of fleece on the bottom and two layers on top - better to be too warm than too cool. H, who is a complete newbie to dry-clothes followed with what PB and I said.
Being on the water felt good. It was a little warmer than last weeks cloudy paddle on the Salt Pond.
H looked good in her dry-clothes and kayak. She said she felt good.
As we paddled out of the harbor and started to make the crossing, the conversation drifted to politics. It is always interesting to hear other people's thought on our current political situation.
H, who isn't really into politics, started to drift off. Partially, this was because she was focusing on her stroke. Partially, it was because the conditions on the Bay were a little bumpy. The conditions were far from threatening, but they did require a little attention. PB and I enjoyed the slight action. H enjoyed it too, but she needed a little time to get her sea legs back after the long winter.
We took a languid lunch on the beach at Patience. It was a perfect day for relaxing. The sun was warm, the air cool, and the breeze minimal.
After an hour, we slowly got ourselves sealed back up in our suits and on the water. PB and I wanted to give our rolls a try before heading back to the put-in. PB did a few flawless rolls. Then I, with a touch of trepidation, gave rolling a try. It was ugly. I missed the first attempt because I tried pulling myself up instead of doing a sweep. The second attempt was successful. It was still ugly, but I could breath air at the end.
As we paddled back to the put-in the wind starting building. There were a few times where I needed to play with my skeg to trim the weather cocking. By the time we were in the harbor, the channel in the Bay was spotted with white caps.
Back at the put-in PB wanted to try a few more rolls and a self-rescue. He did a few good rolls. His paddle float rescue looked easy despite his boots coming off. Sadly, he ended the day swimming.
I was determined to get past my rolling slump. I did two on-side rolls that felt excellent. I took my time setting up under the kayak and focused on sweeping the blade. It is amazing how easy a roll is when it is done correctly. Then I did the same on my off-side. A little patience was all it took to get my roll working again.