Hello Paddle Wisers, This is a response to the Conquering Kayakers thread. In 1995 and 1996 I crossed the Great Lakes on solo crossings, I am the first to say that I did not conquer any of the lakes or nature at all. My approach to the crossings was to make them as easy as possible with training, equipment, and waiting for the best weather I could get. It was rather a way to challenge myself, to see what I was capable of. I remember a gentleman in Cobourg, Ontario saying the following after he learned that I had crossed the lake "You must feel like your on top of the world". I replied that I did not feel that way. For me it was like completing a project and when it was done I look ahead to the next project. All of that changed when I launched on the Superior crossing, surprisingly that crossing evolved into a spiritual journey for me. When the final crossing was over I once again did not feel great I just focused on the next project in my life. But I will forever treasure the gifts I received during that crossing, they being the memories that are etched forever in my mind. Good Paddling, Don Dimond Owner of Superior Visions Sea Kayaking School Board Member of Twin Cities Sea Kayaking Association Director of Midwest Alliance of Sea Kayaking Educators *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
superiorvisions_at_att.net [Don Dimond] wrote: > This is a response to the Conquering Kayakers thread. > > In 1995 and 1996 I crossed the Great Lakes on solo > crossings, I am the first to say that I did not conquer > any of the lakes or nature at all. [snip] > when I launched on the Superior > crossing, surprisingly that crossing evolved into a > spiritual journey for me. When the final crossing was > over I once again did not feel great I just focused on > the next project in my life. But I will forever treasure > the gifts I received during that crossing, they being > the memories that are etched forever in my mind. Nicely said, Don -- I've never attempted anything as ambitious as your undertaking. However, I bet each of us has experienced a piece of the "spiritual" aspect of your Superior crossing. I posted a day or so re: Jim Wickwire's memoir (Addicted to Danger) and recommended it as a good window into the minds of those who "conquer." Thanks to the original poster (don't remember her name) for getting me to re-read Wickwire, because after the "conquering" need/ego flush is gone, even Wickwire finds that it is the spiritual aspects of challenging exploits which remain. And, I think that is gender-independent, despite the greater number of guys who chest-thump about their savage achievements. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I'm the original conquering kayakers poster. I think this thread has been interesting, but I think I biased the original discussion by even using the word 'conquering.' Folks have reacted to that a bit. What I've read so far indicates that people don't tend to do these kinds of paddles in an attempt to conquer, that when they're done they don't feel like they've conquered. I've read that people set goals -- like projects? -- and set out to meet them. Someone talked about the need people have for exploring the "frontier." I've also read that the long paddles may turn people inward, perhaps in a spiritual way. What is still missing here is the why, the nuance of the extreme adventure, or of the large crossing. Every time I paddle I experience some of the things that people have suggested (some days it's an accomplishment to get the book on the car, to the water, into the water, and attach my spray skirt!). Even going down a 4 mile stretch of an unknown river is an "explore" (I believe it was Christopher Robin who talked about going on explores with Winnie the Pooh and Tigger too), a destination, and filled with wonder, beauty and the sense of self in relation to the natural world. So still, I'm curious about the need for the larger circumnavigation/crossing...I should try it, I know. I think Jon Krakauer talked about some of this in his book "Into the Wild" -- the need certain people have to explore, climb great heights, find a part of themselves in those activities (himself included). I haven't read Dave Kruger's suggestion of Jim Wickwire's memoir "Addicted to Danger" but I think it must shed light here too. -Jody *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
jrussell wrote: > <snipped.> I haven't read > Dave Kruger's suggestion of Jim Wickwire's memoir "Addicted to Danger" but > I think it must shed light here too. > > -Jody "The Godforsaken Sea" (about solo sailing around the world) makes it both harder and easier to understand. Men and women (there were 2 women in the last Vendee Globe race) leave their families to sail for 3 months in the most hellish conditions you could imagine. In "calm" conditions, when the winds are only, say, 30 knots, screaming through the rigging and the waves pounding on the hull like a drum, they wedge themselves into a corner to SLEEP for an hour. And basically because they enjoy the solitude and being able to say that they did it. Unbelievable stuff. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I think that you will find the "Why?" question is as complicated as the people that set out on these adventures. The truth is they themselves may not even know exactly why they were compelled to take on these challenges. When you used the word conquer and brought up the male gender you really opened a can of worms. I can't speak for all people who have done difficult expeditions or big crossings, but it has been my experience that when faced with a difficult and dangerous challenge on the water most would approach the task with caution and humility. Perhaps a bit of chest thumping and bragging around the campfire may follow a successful adventure (Hey lets be honest bragging rights are part of the fun!), but when you are dealing with natural forces that are far more powerful that you are, it is a profoundly humbling experience. On a big crossing when you are out of sight of land for a day you feel very small indeed in your little boat, and any image of the all powerful conquering hero comes not from the participants idea of himself but from the projection of those who read about it later. I don't know of anyone who has done this sort of thing and thought of it as a conquest. As for gender I think more men have done these sorts of things in the past because there were more men paddling at the advanced to extreme level. When I started sea kayaking on the Great Lakes about 15 years ago there were very few women paddlers and most were not paddling at the expert level. That has changed and now that there are more expert women paddlers I think you will see more women taking on these types of challenges. As for the whole gender issue I think society is quick to judge men who do these sorts of things as macho adolescents who are showing off, while letting women get away with saying that they did the same thing for "personal growth" or as a " spiritual quest ". One perhaps not very noble reason to go on a challenging expedition is to sell boats or books and advertise your celebrity in the sport. I had a nice back yard paddle on the Missippi last Saturday and saw deer, bald eagles etc. but I don't think I could get 500 people packed into an auditorium to hear me talk about it. Now if I round Cape Horn in my kayak that is another story altogether. I think for most people a primary motivation is to challenge themselves and test their personal limits of skill and endurance. Even if you know in your mind that you can make a big crossing, you will not really know it in your heart until you have completed one. It is a bit like breaking a board with your bare hands in karate class. What a silly thing to do with all those nice capentry tools in the garage, but after you do it you feel a sense of accomplishment and own your new skills with a bit more confidence. I know for certain that if I am ever attacked by a 12 x 1 pine board in a dark alley that I have the skills to cope! My friends and family have suffered greatly hearing me talk about my crossings. Like I said bragging rights are part of the fun. However if I had to take a vow of secrecy and swear never to tell anyone that I had made these crossings, I would have done them anyway. However boring or unpleasent the actual expedition turns out to be, facing a great personal challenge and being sucessful (ie alive and well) is an extraordianry experience that you carry with you for rest of your life If you look at people who have done extraordinary things in the arts, politics, athletics, and science I think that you will find that most were driven by their own personal demons and feelings of insecurity. For all you fellow conquistadors please don't flame me for this comment I am one of the crazys too! An artist friend with extensive knowledge of psychology once commented to that if many of the great artists were born in modern times they would have been treated for mental illness. With modern medications they would never have produced such revolutionary new art. I say as long as they are not a danger to themselves and others we should celibrate these adventurers even if they do seem to be a little "out there!". jrussell wrote: > I'm the original conquering kayakers poster. I think this thread has been > interesting, but I think I biased the original discussion by even using the > word 'conquering.' Folks have reacted to that a bit. What I've read so > far indicates that people don't tend to do these kinds of paddles in an > attempt to conquer, that when they're done they don't feel like they've > conquered. I've read that people set goals -- like projects? -- and set out > to meet them. Someone talked about the need people have for exploring the > "frontier." I've also read that the long paddles may turn people inward, > perhaps in a spiritual way. What is still missing here is the why, the > nuance of the extreme adventure, or of the large crossing. Every time I > paddle I experience some of the things that people have suggested (some > days it's an accomplishment to get the book on the car, to the water, into > the water, and attach my spray skirt!). Even going down a 4 mile stretch > of an unknown river is an "explore" (I believe it was Christopher Robin who > talked about going on explores with Winnie the Pooh and Tigger too), a > destination, and filled with wonder, beauty and the sense of self in > relation to the natural world. So still, I'm curious about the need for > the larger circumnavigation/crossing...I should try it, I know. > > I think Jon Krakauer talked about some of this in his book "Into the Wild" > -- the need certain people have to explore, climb great heights, find a > part of themselves in those activities (himself included). I haven't read > Dave Kruger's suggestion of Jim Wickwire's memoir "Addicted to Danger" but > I think it must shed light here too. > > -Jody > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not > to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ > *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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