Newbie Paddler: My Solo Canoe: Burke Lake Park, Virginia

Back to the lake for the second time. (My first time was during the summer. I posted the photos when I had a chance.) My main goals today were to take photos of fall foliage and to practice my cross-forward stroke.

I got there around 1:30 but the staff suggested me to wait until 2 pm to get a half-day rate. Thank you! (Ah oh, did I just spill out the secret to the world ?) And I was lucky enough that the only canoe at Burke Lake was available right at the moment I arrived. They better get more soon. So I was never far from that canoe during that half hour.

Today's Lessons:
- I found it helped a lot to pull my torso and hips toward the front while I was pulling my forward stroke.
- There was no point to fight the wind. Just let the boat spin.
- After being told that I should sit at the end of the tandem canoe by a staff at the lake, I checked with my instructor afterward and he told me that it was totally to sit in the middle when I paddled solo on the tandem canoe otherwise the front of the boat would lift up from the water which made it harder to control the boat.

- Don't forget to bring a lot of drinking water and snack with you on the boat.

Visit Burke Lake Park:
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burkelake

Today's Babbling:

I felt a bit more comfortable paddling around the lake since I was exploring it for 4 hours last time.

The lake was in gorgeous golden color instead of rich deep green in summer. The view from the middle of the lake was totally different from the shore. You will love it.

It's a bit windy on my way back to the launch area. I had to let the canoe spin 3 times since my correctional strokes didn't work well. I was trying to use sweep strokes to push the boat back but it's just too much work. It's easier to let it go.

The rental here closed at the end of October. So until next year!