Spring time can mean many things here in Central Florida, not the least of which is the return of a pretty solid bass bite–a pretty relevant fact, since I apparently I have no gift for catching Crappie and other winter-time freshwater species. So after a long and mild winter, I decided to break out the canoe and make a few requisite repairs in anticipation of a weekend launch on the Wekiva River.
Sunday would come with a perfect combination of glorious weather and a (mostly) completed “to-do” list. Thus, with a toast to the fishing gods and a thumb to responsibility, I loaded up a canoe on my truck and set out about my way for the launch at Katie’s Landing–a small State Park on the Lower Wekiva riverfront.
My arrival at the launch spot was mixed with adulation of the scenic, spring-fed Wekiva River and hearty disappointment, as repairs made to my canoe handles had not withstood a 30 minute ride to the launch and were severely torn. (This is a significant fact, as these handles are a primary tie-down spot when transporting the vessel). Putting the canoe in the water would not provide any relief from disappointment either, since my new trolling motor bracket split down a weakened seam as soon it was attached. Clearly the fishing gods had not seen my nod.
With no way to hook it up, a decision was made to jettison the electric motor and battery, and paddle my 16 foot bus upriver and into the teeth of 20 knot winds. At times, I felt like I was paddling harder than a raft full of Cuban refugees on a Jaws set–and getting nowhere…which some would say is about right. And, just as I would begin my down-current journey to Katie’s Landing, the winds would shift, tossing me around like one of Ike Turner’s girlfriends, and making for little progress.
Thankfully, through all of the turmoil and tempest, I did manage to catch some small panfish (bluegill mostly). Fittingly enough, those fish would come within sight of the boat launch. And, while I didn’t catch any of the few little bass I spotted, I did take small comfort in the fact that no-one else did either!
My fishing woes aside, canoeing/kayaking can be a tough activity on those with dislocated shoulders, torn rotator cuffs or herniated/bulging vertebrae. These activities (unless specifically excluded by a physician) can be done by most anyone with shoulder/back injuries and are helped by including a few post/pre-workout stretches. (Remember: stretches pre-workout are more active and usually include multiple movements, whereas those post-workout are static and held for 25-45 seconds).
Forward Fold w/Back Hyper-extension:
Grab a paddle, gripping about 1.5 times your shoulder width and holding the paddle overhead. Lean back slightly and hold for 5 seconds. Straighten yourself up and begin a forward fold from the waist, touching the paddle to the ground (or as far as you can go).
Rotator Cuff/Chest Extension:
Turn your paddle vertically and grab the top with one hand (overhead) and the other hand near the bottom (paddle-end, behind the back grip). Gently move the overhead hand upwards, pulling the opposite hand upward as well. Reverse the movement and pull downward with the bottom (paddle) hand. Switch grips.
Pre-Workout: Do 5-10 repetitions of each, holding only 5 seconds in any given position.
Post-Workout: Hold each for one repetition of 25-60 seconds.
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