I’d been in a kayak before, on a vacation about a decade ago. Cliff had taken one kayak lesson locally the year before.  It was a nice day in July and we had some free time, so we figured we should just give it a try.  It wasn’t until I got out in the kayak that I realized I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I’M DOING. (The photo above shows me halfway through that first trip, trying to play it cool.)

I mean, on one level, it’s easy – you are in a boat, you have a paddle, it’s not rocket science. And I know that if I want to turn slightly I favor the opposite side to turn the boat.  But that’s not a fast way to turn if you are about to run into something or someone. Eventually I figured out that by dragging my paddle in the water I could do things like stop and turn. Also, there are ways to use your body to get a lot more power than just your arms (a thing I knew in theory from the get-go, but didn’t figure out in practice until several trips later).  Maybe I should have taken that lesson after all.

Also, it’s hot out there in the middle of the day in July. You might be on the water, but you are not in the water (hopefully).  While the banks of the river are lined with trees, the middle of the river has no shade to speak of. Sunscreen, hats, water… all things we should have brought along.

Anyway, several kayak excursions later and we are ready to buy our own boats this spring. I probably should still take some lessons though.