It seems I will need a little more practise before I get the going in straight lines bit happening.

Here ya go..New course selected...

DJ

Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS and heart rate monitor watch. It tracks speed and distance and altitude and heart rate and gives lots of averages for stuff. It's certified water resistant so it's fine for paddling.

Distance: 4.24 km
Time: 52.55 min
Average speed: 4.8 k/h
Max speed: 7.7 k/h
Average heart rate: 160 bpm
Max heart rate: 180 bpm

While I freely confess to being a gadget crazed nerd, my GPS watch is actually part of my ultra-light paragliding kit so there is a purpose for it.

A couple of minorly interesting points. Into wind I was doing 2 kph. Downwind was 7.7 kph but crosswind was around 7 kph so wind assisted is not all that much faster. My peak heart rate is during the crosswind sprint.

If I was running at around 180 bpm I would feel like **** but paddling at that rate feels good.

Just cruising keeps my heart rate at 160-170 bpm which is an ideal fitness zone and pretty much effortless.

I am a former cross country skier and that is considered to be the best exercise and all body workout you can do. SUP comes a close second.

BTW. I can now paddle on one side and maintain direction and make corrections. It's not very efficient but it's getting there.

Greg

BTW I have a cunning plan. In a 20+ knot SW you get a nice wave rolling in at the Sandringham breakwater. Paddle out in the lee of the breakwater. Get in the waves and play a bit. Sneak back upwind in the lee and repeat.

Gorgo said...
...

BTW I have a cunning plan. In a 20+ knot SW you get a nice wave rolling in at the Sandringham breakwater. Paddle out in the lee of the breakwater. Get in the waves and play a bit. Sneak back upwind in the lee and repeat.

The sneaking upwind bit worked ok. The getting out and catching waves not so good. Lots of furious paddling on the knees to get out. Turn around and the waves are too fast to catch. The wind and swell blew me back into the lee and no waves to catch. Too much furious paddling to get out gets really stale. It was more fun playing the harbour and practicing the spinny turns.

Check this out for more GPS gadgets. www.navigadget.com

The Garmins are quite cheap on ebay as long as you don't get into bidding wars.

Greg