Kayaking around Tokyo Bay vol.2 / First paddling in the Tama River

On the first weekend after the boat arrived, I immediately went for my first paddling in the nearby Tama River. I carried a large bag containing a dismantled aluminium frame and folded hull cloth on my back and took the paddles to the river.

　It is supposed to weigh a little over 14 kg, but this feels surprisingly heavy. Unlike mountaineering backpacks with waist belts, the kayak bag has only a simple, narrow shoulder belt.

　Because the belt is thin, the entire weight digs into both shoulders, causing a zinging pain. I put a towel between my shoulders and the belt to get by for the time being.

　I finally reach ed the riverbank and started assembling, sweating profusely again.

  During the assembly, I was approached by many people. Folding kayaks are apparently rare in this area.

　The most common questions were about the structure of the kayak and the purchase price, but there were also ‘simple questions’ such as ‘Do you paddle alone?’ Both questions were asked by people who appeared to be baby boomers.

I answered somewhat cynically (and it is true), ‘I row to be alone’, but is it unusual to row alone rather than in a group?

　After an hour's struggle, the boat was finally completed. The seat was set in the middle of the boat for a single person, and I got into the boat with a hefty seat.

However, this swayed unexpectedly from side to side!

No, I realised that the rocking was because my knees were moving more than necessary to try to balance myself. When I calm ed my mind and became quiet, the boat floated silently. Silence...

After half an hour of paddling, the wobbling from side to side finally disappeared, I was able to paddle rhythmically, and my body and mind began to calm down.

　Suddenly, the surface of the river made a buzzing sound and countless small fish jumped across in front of me.

'!"

　One fish jumped into the boat. It was bouncing around at my feet. Could it be a chub?

慌てて写真を一枚撮り、そっと川に戻した。

I hurriedly took one photo and gently returned it to the river.

　What were the small fish being chased by?　Black bass?

Looking at the surface of the river, which had returned to calm, I tried to imagine what was going on underwater.

　Only a few minutes later, the surface of the water exploded violently, this time in the shallows near a small sandbank.

Not ten metres away, several large dorsal and tail fins were undulating.

　They were carp spawning.

A number of males seemed to be swarming around one female, vying for the “good position”.

It's just like in the human world, isn't it?

　It was my first time in a kayak, and within an hour of paddling, I had no idea there were so many surprises.

The Tama River was alive.

（to be continued...）