Through 11 years of kayaking we’ve observed different sorts of kayakers.
There’s the “go in water so cold that you throw up if you fall in” kayakers.
Are we that sort?
No.
There’s the “go in water so turbulent that you’re likely to fall in and likely even want to as part of the fun” kayakers.
Are we that sort?
No.
There’s the “go to places so remote that you have to camp in the wilderness for several nights” kayakers.
Are we that sort?
No.
There’s the “go every day or at least several times a week” kayakers.
Are we that sort?
No.
There’s the “go kayaking on smooth water when you’re not too busy and it’s not too cold, or too hot, or too windy” kayakers.
Are we that sort?
Yes.
We’re not wusses, we’re just holding down our spot on the great diversity spectrum.
One of the benefits of growing older is that you’re allowed, occasionally, to ask “Why?” Or even “Why bother?”
Extremist kayakers and the guy who just rowed solo across the Atlantic apparently don’t ask that question.
Jim T
Jim – Folks are wired differently, I think, with respect to their “need for speed.” Differently from each other and at different life stages. If it doesn’t occur to you to ask “Why bother?” then you’re doing what right’s for you, maybe.
Isabel
I recall an incident with kayaking. Might be the one and only time I was in one. The kayak was a two seater. We were starting off in about 24 inches of water. Janice got in first. When I got in the thing went straight to the bottom. Quick end to the voyage.
Where does that place us on the spectrum?
Tom
Tom – I’m dumbfounded. I have no idea how that would happen. Tipping a kayak is relatively easy, but I would have thought actually sinking one was pretty hard. Glad it was only23 inches of water!
Janice was also glad it was only 23 inches of water.
Tom
Tom – 🙂
Dear Tom,
At the bottom. But above the landlubbers who never tried.
Laurna
It wasn’t one of my finest moments!
Tom
🙂