[Paddlewise] kayaks and soul

Bill Leonhardt has reminded me of the central factor in paddling. It's not
merely aerobic exercise, or a testosterone-driven desire to show how good we
are, or an excuse to accumulate electronic toys and other expensive equipment.
Those are side issues for most of us.

Paddling touches the soul, for me and for many others, in a way which few
other things can do. When I'm on the water, calm or rough, I have a sense of
peace and togetherness I rarely experience at other times. When I'm not on the
water, my happiest daydreams are those in which I re-live a paddling
experience, plan another trip, or gnaw at a problem which has to do with one
of my boats or with some other aspect of paddling.

For me, kayaking feeds the soul more than it satisfies the body. Yes, it's a
physical exercise. More importantly, it's a spiritual one.

When I read the posts to this group, and when I write to it, I sometimes find
myself concentrating on the gear and the techniques, forgetting why I got
interested in paddling to begin with. That's my fault, not the group's fault.
Thanks Bill, for reminding me of the important thing.

Bill Hansen
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