Whitewater Paddling

Today was an adventure equivalent, in my mind, to cascading over Niagara Falls in a barrel.  Only, it consisted of me paddling what I have termed "a safety boat" down the "forgiving" St. Louis River.  The so called safety boat is an inflatable one person canoe ("Ducky" is the more technical term).  I have been down this river once before, but never on the mercy of my own power.  The last time was a team effort in an inflatable raft.  Truth be told, I didn't pull my own weight on that excursion.

However, this time was all me.  Well, all me, with the verbal instruction of the best teacher a novice whitewater paddler could have!  As I struggled to get the feel of how the Ducky maneuvered, Beth and her trusty sidekick, Kevin, kayaked beside me talking me through each step of the way.

We started out slow and easy.  Paddle like this, and the boat goes like that.  Paddle like that, and the boat goes like this.  OK, easy breezy. 

Then, we happen upon the first set of rapids (I believe called "Classroom").   My heart palpitated just a bit as I paddled through the bubbling forces beneath me.  A sense of exhilaration once I reached the calmer water.

With each section of rapids, the water gets bigger! Faster! Louder!  We reach the rapids known as "One Hole", my new enemy.  As we approached the forceful water, waves swirling every which way, my heart again felt the anticipation of beating the rapids.  Only this time the rapids beat me.

I felt my boat turning into the swirling waves, and was oblivious to know to take control and attempt to get my boat straight again.  It was like slow motion in real time.  I saw the swirling, brown wave coming at me, and I knew it was not good.  My fight or flight response went to "flight" and I quit paddling, an error that led to my first swim in the big drink. 

Before I went under, I remember yelling "Help" and I looked at my friend and instructor whose face foretold my fate. 

I got flipped into the hole.

Not the exact hole I fell into, but you get the drift.....

The Ducky hit the "eject" button and catapulted me into the River.  Then my "fight" response kicked in and a million thoughts went through my head.  I remained calm. I remembered I had a life jacket on (Thank God and Beth) and let myself rise to the top and go where ever the raging water was going to take me.  I popped up, saw Beth and swam to her kayak while her husband rescued the empty boat and and paddle.  I hopped back into my safety boat for more raging rapids ahead.

Because I got flipped, each set of rapids brought about a sense of fear, but also excitement.  I was determined to make it through each time without being tossed into the water.  We did portage over a set of rapids called "Electric Ledge" which is a mini waterfall in my eyes.  Looking back at that massive force of water, I was so glad we did not go down those rapids.  However, a small part, a very small part, of me was also disappointed because I wanted to defeat them!  Maybe next time.  Maybe.

When we successfully made it though the final set of rapids, I breathed a sigh of relief.  Relief, Pride, and admittedly, Disappointment that the fun and excitement was over.  But, I made it!  I made it down the Louis!  And I only went for a swim once, which isn't too bad.  Beth tells me the St. Louis was a Class 3 river today.  I might be more of a Class 1 or 2 kind of a gal, but I can certainly see why so many people have a passion for kayaking. 

Sadly, there are no pictures from today's adventure (the photos posted are "borrowed"), but the images and memories will forever be in my head.  And I hope to get out and paddle again sometime in the near future.

Thanks Beth and Kevin for one on my most favorite adventures!