It started as a beautiful day...I managed to get up in good time and in good spirits, as I headed out to the venue where I was going to have my introductory kayaking session.
I had been kayaking a few years back, a crowd of us, paddling along the river Thames near Reading. That was also a lovely day. We took some drinks with us and some snacks and paddled up the river for a few hours. It was idyllic; as cruise boats sailed past us, smaller punts, and even other rowers…the river was very busy. I am not sure now how far we went, but we even went through a lock which was possibly the scariest part, as we remained in our kayaks along with the larger boats.
So I had no reason to think this experience would be any different.
As I arrived at the canal, early for a change, I had time to take in my surroundings. The trees were beautifully green, and the grass was a healthy colour too, after the rains we have had recently. There were signs about the local bat community, which I read with interest having been on a bat walk some years ago. Nearby, a man was preparing his boats for the cruises that take place along the canal, starting up engines, removing covers, bringing them to life. Sounds of a day beginning.
As I enjoyed the tranquillity of being near water, I noticed I was not quite in the right place, because over to my right, further along the canal, I could see that some boats had appeared on the bank. So I headed up towards them, and then saw a building that was obviously where all the kayaks were stored. In front were 2 women, one of which immediately addressed me “are you kim?” I was in the right place and there was one other woman it seemed who was going to join me in the taster session.
The instructor/coach was very good, she showed us how to make sure the bung was in the kayak (this ensured that water could be let out of the boat at the end of the session, so consequently was important to make sure no water got in either!); how to move the footplate so that our legs were firm against the sides of the boat; how to get in (easy when on solid ground!) and how to hold the paddles.
After this we were ready…together we helped each other take the boats down to the water’s edge. There was a small pier onto which the instructor showed us to first lay the paddle down within reach of the water, before moving the boat between the paddle and the water’s edge, but still on the pier. We were then to step down onto the pier and slide the boat into the water. So far, so good.
Then the time came to get in…ah! My first challenge. I knew that since I was last in a kayak my proportions were somewhat greater, but I knew that I had done it before with no problems; surely this would be no different?
Well, not entirely true, as it turned out. The idea was to put your feet either side of the kayak and then lift yourself in quickly. Fear was building, and as a consequence, I made an inelegant entry into the boat which rocked just a little more than I would have liked. Only slightly wet, I was at least in the water! Pushing away from the bank with my paddle, I moved into the centre of the canal. Up close the water was less than inviting. Very murky, brown/green algae clearly making up most of the content.
“Ok” says the instructor, “remember if you tip over, stay in your boat until you are upside down and then come out”. Now that seemed easier to say than do, I thought looking at the water, I can’t open my eyes under water in the local pool, never mind in this water, so there was not much chance of doing that here! I just prayed I stayed upright!
Well I sort of did…my challenge it would seem was to go in a straight-line. I was paddling really well…but in circles! As I moved down the canal doing very fancy circles, I was at least beginning to enjoy myself, imagining when I would be one of the proficient ones, enjoying some time on the canal. Only I must have got a little too confident, because I did something, and even now I am not sure what, and the boat did start to tip…just as I started to panic…that water was soooo not inviting. Whole swathes of water entered my boat with me, and I became drenched from the waist down…but the boat steadied itself and I was saved. “You’re alright! That happens” shouted the coach to me from further down the canal where my fellow student was taking to kayaking like a duck to water…staying upright, and going in a straight line. Whilst I was struggling to go in a straight line, I was beginning to wonder what I was doing…was I enjoying this…not as much as I had before, it seemed and that near miss had meant that now I was tense in case it happened again, suddenly my experience was a little less than enjoyable. Then the instructor, clearly seeing I needed help, let down some small device that acted as a rudder – and this made all the difference! I was now going in a straight line, and the sloshing of water around my feet, didn’t bother me any more –I was really kayaking and began to enjoy myself again!
We paddled around a small island before heading back to the pier.
And then it hit me – I had to get out!
Panic set in, I knew even from my previous experience, this was not a pleasant moment, and I needed help and there was none here! “ Don’t worry” the instructor shouted after giving the instructions of what to do, “ the worst thing that can happen is you fall in”. She had no idea how much that was the worst thing!
I was closest to the bank, so I was to go first. Bringing the kayak up to the pier’s edge, I gripped the front of the opening where I sat, and tried to find a way where I could hold the pier and pull myself out….this is where, I found that combination of lack of arm strength and excess weight played against me…I did not have what it took to lift myself out! More encouragement from the water, was not helping me. I couldn’t find a way of pulling myself out, without making a complete tit of myself…but that was much better than falling in the water. So I launched myself out of the kayak and I now understand what the saying ‘a beached whale’ must really be like – I was on my knees, my bum proudly in the air, my hands grabbing for purchase between the planks, and my right cheek firmly on the pier. But I was safe! I had done it! Unceremoniously maybe, definitely undignified, and a complete lack of grace (which my fellow student managed with some aplomb – grrrr).
But despite that, I felt good about having just completed my taster session. I had been humiliated, soaked and in fear but I had done it!
We wrapped up the session wiping down the boat, and after we had put them away, the instructor pointed to a water tap and said “ you must always wash your hands afterwards”. She should have stopped there, I would have been ok with that, ignorance is bliss and all that. I knew what the water was like, I didn’t need any more, but clearly she hadn’t finished…” you have to do this, because of rat’s wee” she said nonchantly “ they carry a potential virus, which could be quite nasty, so washing your hands is the most important thing you must do when you finish.” Her happy go lucky smile face asked “Will we see you next week?” I went pale before wanting to flee to the showers, to remove all my clothing, and scrub myself thoroughly.
It was the mention of rodents that did it, up to that point, all my training could be brought to bear on the confidence of getting in and out of the boat, of the fear of dealing with being submerged in that water….but the idea of rat’s, urine and viral infections did it. I would not be going back. I felt tainted – yuck -my kayaking days were well and truly over before they started.
Am off now to find another water sport, where I can forget the idea of rat’s, rodents or any other small creatures.
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