Frank M comments - <<see I am "losing my groove", or at least my balance, gaining fear and worst of all turning into a 'wuss'.>> And then he remarks - <<I tried my folding single kayak out today just on the back bay and its great. I love the rhythm of the paddle. I love the bird life>> I think the answer is in that second paragraph. Two observations here: First, there's nothing at all wrong with gentle recreational paddling in quiet water - nothing wrong with watching the birds, smelling the roses. Second, what does it mean to be "a man"? Is it necessary to be comfortable in big waves, open ocean, in whitewater of any class? IMNSHO, it is not. But if life can't go on without "the big stuff" and discomfort is increasing, the cure is in gradual reconditioning, starting with the very easiest things which we do comfortably and well, working back **very gradually** into the more difficult scenarios. As I said, the answer is in the second paragraph. Bill Hansen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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