The Collegian

Issue date: 9/24/09 Section: Focus

Media Credit: Michael Mayday

Media Credit: Michael Mayday

It's Sunday Sept. 20, officially the last of summer, and an ideal day to be out on the water. The crisp, cool air and the red and orange hues were already taking hold of the forests surrounding the lake, making it feel more like fall. Many people have taken out their boats and docks, and the lake feels a little a more remote than it usually does; a little more my own.

I slide into a sleek golden Perception Kayak, shove my legs up against the thigh braces, dig my paddle into the sandy shore and push off. I'm out to explore three lakes: Pine Hill, Farwell, and Fox. All are in Hanover, Mich., about a 15 minute drive from campus. The three lakes are interconnected by channels, together creating more than 300 acres of prime paddling.

Duce's Weekly Workout. from Collegian Webeditor on Vimeo.

The water is amazingly clear and turquoise. There is virtually no wake and the Perception cuts gracefully through the water. I cruise down the shore, carving in and out of marshy inlets. Bass and Bluegill flank my bow as a Sand Hill Crane stares nervously at me from its perch on shore.

After a lap around Farwell, I head down a murky channel filled with carp trails; waterways cut through seaweed beds. Lily pads and clumps of reeds squeeze a swift current down the channel, making the Perception drift effortlessly through.

The grimy banks of Fox Lake drop off into a seemingly bottomless black abyss. The water here is jet black and extremely deep. After a quick trip around Fox, I do an about-face and head for the final lake.

At Pine Hill Lake I spot a channel, flowing off the southern shore; it is dotted with small islands. Eventually it leads to a marina with a steady sandy incline; the perfect place to beach the kayak and enjoy some time to stretch out, lie in the grass and take in the smells of a nearby bar and grill.

How to Kayak from Collegian Webeditor on Vimeo.

Over the course of roughly three hours I paddled nearly eight miles around the lakes. By the end of the sojourn, my shoulders, chest, core and lower body ached. These feelings, coupled with the natural beauty I witnessed, gave me a heightened sense of confidence and boosted my energy for the next week's workload.

Mother Nature provided an excellent workout that broke up the boredom of tread mills and row machines that frequently lead to flat line workouts. Kayaking engages multiple muscle groups, including chest, shoulders, biceps, abdominals and back. When you slide into the cockpit you'll find thigh braces on your left and right. Pushing your thighs against the braces allows you to stabilize and control the kayak, working the core and quads.

If you haven't done much kayaking before it can be a great way to bust through plateaus. Because it requires muscle motinos rarely used in most gym workouts.

Working for long durations, common when kayaking, builds lean, toned muscle instead of bulk. Trying a new sport also helps you develop better coordination.

Southern Michigan is littered with beautiful inland lakes that are easily accessible. Right out campus' back door is Baw Beese Lake with 414 acres of water great for kayaking this fall. If you want information about renting a kayak, you can talk with Josh Trojniak, at jtrojniak@hillsdale.edu and to find more information about Michigan's lakes you should visit www.michigan.gov/dnr.

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