[Paddlewise] Un-flatwater paddling

Hi all,

Just sharing some paddling excitement hoping to get you to remember a time
early in your paddling career, and perhaps share some insights.

After racking up about 80 miles of paddling on small lakes, creeks and
mangroves - the main common feature of which was esentially flat water - I
got out on a beach. Whole different sport. Up to this point I had been
treating the kayak like a sailboat or dingy from my past in which one sits
and applies some force to move and control that movement. After punching out
beyond the small surf zone through one to two foot breakers (which could be
approached pretty much the same sit-and-paddle way) I turned beam to the
waves.

It took a little while (and a little swimming) but it finally dawned on me
that it's no longer sailing - me sitting in a boat that is dealing with the
waves, but me dealing with the waves (via the paddle) being held up by the
boat. Small but significant shift in perspective. My participation is much
less passive in the kayak. Sort of like going from riding a tricycle to
riding a bike. The balance etc. is quite dynamic, and moving forward helps a
lot. Most important seems to be your ability to know and trust what is going
to happen next, followed by knowing what your reaction should be if you
don't want it to happen.

I'm beginning to understand why everyone says they are going "paddling" not
"kayaking" or "boating" - I've currently gone from a
Water/Boat/Person/Paddle concept to Water/Person/Paddle/Boat in that order.
And can't wait to get out in active water again.

Cheers,

Carey
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