What to do when you can't paddle

So, here I am, hobbling around on crutches for the last few weeks. And will be hobbling around for another week or so. Beautiful weather, a new boat in the garage, changing leaves, slalom races, and a strong desire to get back out on the water. But my foot's in an air cast, and the incision hasn't healed from my moderate bunion surgery (see a cool animation at http://www.drmoy.com/faq.htm -- click on the procedure animation link). What to do?

Well, I've managed to stockpile about a year's worth of canoeing and kayaking magazines -- Sea Kayaker, Paddler, and Canoe and Kayak. (If you're not familiar with any of these magazines, check them out at your local outfitter.) For one reason or another (mostly related to triathlon training), I've not taken the time to read the magazines when they arrived. Since I've had a little extra time to read now, I've been slowly catching up on the news of the paddling world.

I've also started a wish list of the new kayaking videos. As an instructor, I like to buy and view kayaking videos. I always learn a teaching trick or two from the pros. Here's a list of the ones I'd like to get:

• All About Kayaking (Kent Ford, www.performancevideo.com) - Kent Ford is one of the best sources of instructional kayaking videos and books. This video covers different types of paddling, including kayak fishing.
• Whitewater Kayaking Basics for Women (Anna Levesque, www.watergirlsatplay.com) - This is Anna's second video in her "Girls at Play" series. The first video, "Girls at Play," covered an intro to the sport of whitewater kayaking. It's different from other kayaking videos in that it dives into the minds of women boaters and explores our fears and triumphs.
• EJ's River Running: Basics and Advanced (Eric Jackson, www.jacksonkayak.com) - EJ's a freestyle kayaking world champion and superb paddler. These two videos cover the basics, reading water, and running difficult rapids.

If you like videos and you want to start a collection (or add to an existing collection), here's what I recommend:

• Kayaking for Everyone - This video should be sold with every new boat that is sold. It's geared twoards the recreational kayaker and covers all the basics to get started.
• Kayak 101 - Joe Holt classic that's good at illustrating basic strokes and river-running techniques.
• Essential Boat Control - A classic video on river running by one of the best, Tom DeCuir.
• The Kayaker's Edge, Breakthru!, and The River Runner's Edge - A collection of whitewater videos by Kent Ford.
• Whitewater Self Defense - Recommended for anyone who runs rivers.
• The Kayak Roll - Superb video for learning and teaching the "Sweep-to-C" roll.
• Learning the Kayak Roll - Tom DeCuir's classic for learning the "C-to-C" roll.
• Performance Sea Kayaking - Covers the basics, as well as surf techniques. Another Kent Ford video.

So, while I can't be out on the water right now, at least I can dream about it... by catching up on magazines and videos!