[Paddlewise] Story

  Just returned from a whitewater course in the TN mountains.  Class 2+
river but no higher.  No real danger with three instructors and 5 students.
It was a great adventure.  I  learned just how weird water can get.  I
unintentionally rolled about a dozen times Sunday while trying to play in a
few different small holes.  I learned what happens when you brace in a
whirlpool.  You sink.....fast.  I clearly learned why WW guys and gals have
a good offside roll after the current  pinned my paddle to the bottom while
trying to onside roll. I missed the offside but it did free my paddle. I
proudly say I never swam but came very close a few times when I missed
coming up.  River gods find beginners delicious rare delicacies and seem to
want to swallow you whole. Doing a sweep roll would quickly incur the wrath
of the instructor gods.  Shallow, sharp rocks were an even more powerful
motivator to do a C to C roll. I quickly became a face hugging the deck
convert. . Face masks on helmets were worn by the most grizzled looking
paddlers.  Every veteran had a horror story.  What a sport!
   I did amaze absolutely every boater on the river by bringing a stove in
my WW boat to heat up my lunch.  People were actually calling their friends
over in disbelief.  I would tell them I was a sea kayaker in disguise and
they would nod their heads knowingly. They were a very fun, animated bunch.

Jim et al


***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************