First-timer gets his feet wet

Last week Tom, the editor of this Web site, took me whitewater kayaking for the first time. Traditionally, my outdoor recreation revolves around skiing, biking, and hiking, so I was excited to learn something new. We parked my car at a pullout downriver and drove Tom’s truck to the put-in. Once I finally got all my gear on I felt more awkward and uncomfortable than prepared to run this cold, seemingly fast-moving river. We got in our boats though, and after I briefly got stuck in some bramble, we were on our way.  It was an exhilarating feeling: water splashing everywhere as I moved with the river, maintaining the boats balance.  It immediately reminded me of getting “face shots” while skiing. But the feeling was short-lived. Midway down, right about where Tom told me the most difficult part of the run was, I stopped paddling briefly as I thought I had made it through to calmer waters. I was promptly put sideways by an eddy, and unable to overcome my precariously off-balance position, I went under. It’s an interesting feeling being stuck upside down in an incredibly cold river for the first time.  I did anything but stay calm, and when I finally pulled the skirt and kicked both legs out, I was out of breath and speech, exhausted and rattled after my attempts to get to shore. It was only a short time later that we were able to laugh about the incident, even though I lost my paddle during the battle. Despite the short, and briefly traumatic whitewater kayaking experience, I can already see how much fun this sport can be, and I’m sure I’ll be back in the water, and probably upside down in the water, again soon.  – John C. Davies