You suddenly think to yourself, surely there must be more to getting fit than this?

Having been in that situation one too many times I made a decision - circa January 1 - to broaden my horizons on the fitness front.

So when the Foyle Paddlers Club called the 'Journal' office offering a five-week beginners course in canoeing I jumped at the chance.

My knowledge of canoeing before starting was at best limited - I decided that my main aim throughout would be to stay upright.

Not to be.

On our first night I was tipped over upside down and sampled my first ever mouthful of River Foyle water.

Very little can be prepare you for that first dip upside down in a sealed canoe.

Thankfully my group was very well drilled in how to get out.

The method, explained by our very patient instructor Gerald McGahey, is to pull off the seal (spray deck) and kick the canoe away.

When you're upside down in the Foyle it all comes surprisingly easy.
After the initial shock start to our course we were drilled through the basics.

Our beginners flat water course on the Foyle is a precursor to the good stuff - canoeing on white water rivers.

On our first few sessions we were taught how to paddle in a straight line, not as easy as you might think.

The key, according to our instructor, was to remain relaxed in the canoe and appreciate how much your body controls the movement of the boat.

The next step was to learn how to work the paddle - again no easy feat.
But before long our group had mastered a number of strokes - both forward and back - and was becoming increasingly confident on the water.

We were also taught that your feet can save you a lot of time and effort.

A simple push down left or right when you're drifting can do the job better than 20 paddle strokes.

We were even taught how to use the paddle to smack the water (low brace or high) to keep our canoes upright when a wave or a wobble meant you were only going one way.

Armed with the essentials our jaunts out on the Foyle began becoming a tad more daring.

Before long our hardy group of six was battling upstream on the Foyle, cruising across powerful currents and weaving in and out of the supports of the Craigavon Bridge.

By the time the course finished, I felt had a lot more confidence in my own ability along with having a pretty good time along the way.
At the end of your time on the water you feel as if you have had a really hard workout and you feel like a new person.

On our course, we were taught extremely well by instructors who knew what they were doing and knew how to do it well.

Overall, I would say it was a worthwhile experience and well worth a go. What have you got to lose?

The club, which is based at Prehen Boathouse, is currently running beginners' courses in flat water and sea kayaking alongside offering a range of coaching for youngsters.

Course fees are £100 for a five week course, which includes all hire of equipment.

For further information call Gareth on 02871 311639 or Enda on 028 71 350953.