Commentary - Release the Whitewater Kayaker Within


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Release the Whitewater Kayaker Within

By Ken Whiting
Had you told me a couple of years ago that I'd be cruising along the west coast of BC in a 17 foot sea kayak, with a huge smile on my face, I would have thought you were insane. Why? Because I was a 'whitewater kayaker', and as far as we were concerned, sea kayaking was about as exciting as bird watching! So, why am I now enjoying sea kayaking so much? On the flip side, I'm blown away by the number of sea kayakers who have shown interest in whitewater kayaking, but have never taken the big step and tried it. Can I blame them though? Whitewater kayaking is clearly an activity reserved for adrenaline junkies, testosterone-laden extremists, and suicidal risk-takers with nothing to lose, right? Wrong!
To assume that whitewater kayaking is about challenging Mother Nature to a one-on-one duel is as absurd as assuming that all sea kayakers are simply looking for an alternative to walking. I think the truth is that the majority of sea kayakers and whitewater kayakers hit the water for very similar reasons. We feel a draw to the outdoors and the kayak is our vehicle of choice. The kayak allows us to escape the increasing pressures associated with our rapidly changing world. On the water, we are free! No cell, no email, no 'real world' stressors whatsoever - just us being with the water.
For those sea kayakers out there who are at least intrigued by the idea of whitewater kayaking, the first thing to know is that all you need to become a whitewater kayaker is a good attitude and a healthy appetite for fun. Know that by stepping foot into a sea kayak, you have taken a step that very few people will ever take, and that you have shown a mind-set that makes you a good candidate for learning to whitewater kayak. Understand that whitewater kayaking does not need to involve running waterfalls and hard rapids, just as sea kayaking doesn't need to involve gruelling expeditions through heinous conditions. The majority of whitewater kayakers are out there to learn an exciting new sport and to have fun with their friends and family. For these paddlers, whitewater kayaking is a remarkably safe sport. It surprises people to hear that the accident rate among whitewater kayakers is exceptionally low, and way below that of other outdoor sports, like skiing, hiking, or mountain biking. Furthermore, it might shock you to know that whitewater kayaking doesn't require a lot of muscle power. Contrary to popular belief, the job of a whitewater kayaker isn't to fight the river, but to work with the river to accomplish our goals. If you can paddle your sea kayak, then you can paddle a whitewater kayak. Finally, I've often heard it said that 'I'm too old to start whitewater kayaking'. The simple truth is that you're never too old to learn something new, so if you've got the physical ability to paddle your sea kayak in anything but flat conditions, then you can learn to whitewater kayak. In fact, the skills you've developed as a sea kayaker will help immensely. Conversely, the skills you develop as a whitewater kayaker will go miles to increasing your confidence as a sea kayaker.
The past decade has been full of exciting changes and growth for whitewater paddling. This growth has fuelled technological advances in equipment design, which have made it much easier, more comfortable, and more fun to progress, regardless of your shape or size. While this has led to substantial leaps in terms of what can be done in a kayak, it has also made the sport much easier for newcomers to learn. So how does one get into whitewater kayaking? The best way to try your hand at whitewater kayaking is to take a course with a reputable kayak school, of which there are many. Once you've learned the basic skills and concepts, there are paddling clubs everywhere that help gather paddlers of similar skills and mind-set.
So get out there and give whitewater kayaking a try, but please consider yourself warned - addiction rates are extremely high and we accept no liability for the ensuing consequences!

Ken Whiting was the 1997/98 World Whitewater Freestyle Champion. He has produced an award winning series of instructional kayaking books and videos, and leads kayaking trips to Chile. Look for his new book 'The Ultimate Guide to Whitewater Kayaking', and his upcoming video 'The Ultimate Guide to Sea Kayaking'. Check out www.playboat.com
You can find Ken's book, 'The Ultimate Guide to Whitewater Kayaking' and the DVD, 'Whitewater Kayaking with Ken Whiting' in the Paddling.net Store!

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