Conquering fears and wearing skirts

This week was our first sea kayaking course and it was fantastic! Now we've taken kayaking before.... about 5 years ago, we took a white water kayaking course; but I must admit I am not really an extreme sport kind of person, so it wasn't really for me. Also, that was when I discovered my fear for being stuck under a kayak. Basically, we were practicing T-rescues, and instead of being rescued I ended up stuck underneath my kayak flailing about, gasping for air, yelling when I could, and basically panicking. Since we were practicing rescues, it didn't occur to me that I could simply take of my kayak-skirt and get out of the kayak. Needless to say, once I was actually rescued I was very shaken.

Here's a pic from 2003 of Eric and I white-water kayaking.


So, when I read that intro to sea-kayaking involved practicing rescues, I was somewhat worried that I would have to flip myself upside-down in my kayak. I was resolute that they couldn't make me, and I wasn't going to do it.

And so of course, after a mere 10 minutes of paddling, our instructor decided that the weather was perfect for learning how to exit and rescue. Eric, our fearless leader, volunteered to go first (such bravery!) I was still firm in my decision that I would not flip myself upside down in my kayak, until the instructor told us that we weren't allowed to wear our skirts if we hadn't practiced getting out of our kayaks with the skirts on. (For those who are unaware, the skirt basically protects your lower body from getting wet as you kayak - a fair amount of spray occurs when kayaking and you can get quite wet)

And so I did it. In lieu of getting wet in the future, I flipped my entire body (and kayak) upside down into the water (and didn't drown - another positive for the evening). Yes.... I'm a hero! ;-) I was proud of myself all night!

So all it all, it has been most fantastic! To make it even better we get unlimited kayaking for three weeks with our pass - so look for us if your strollin' down the Charles River!