I’ve spent a solid quarter of my life teaching kayak school—the kindergarten of whitewater. Just like grade school kindergarten, there is a Zen quality to immersing oneself in the very basics of anything. A seemingly complex and dynamic activity like navigating a little boat down a moving river can really be boiled down to just a few key elements. These elements become the rules of whitewater paddling, and may also become the rules by which to live one’s life. I propose that all you really need to know about life you already learned in kayak school:
- Everyone feels awkward putting on a skirt for the first time.
- Wet exits are good for you. Practice makes perfect.
- No, these boats are not supposed to go straight.
- Say you’re sorry when you bump into somebody.
- The butterflies you feel before you get in your boat will never go away.
- You will grow to appreciate them.
- Always make sure your spray skirt tab is out.
- Water shouldn’t be forced up your nose.
- Your head always comes up last.
- Swimming is a part of paddling. So is walking. Smart people know this.
- Even though all whitewater boats look the same, some people will argue for hours about their subtle different qualities. Stay away from these people.
- When in doubt, scout.
- Throw rescue ropes to friends in need. Don’t let go.
- Thanks to the late, great William Nealy, scouting and spitting will forever be related.
- Look where you want to go.
- Always pack a healthy lunch. Stay hydrated.
- Always have a plan.
- Always have a backup plan.
- Don’t overthink it. But don’t under-think it either.
- Going with the flow is all hippie and cool, but at some point you have to take control and impose your will upon your direction (Newton’s First Law).
- When you are unsure of what to do, lean forward and paddle (Newton’s Second Law… sort of).
- For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction (Newton’s Third Law).
- Rely on yourself. Be there for others.
- Point positive.
- Eddies are the calm spots, but at some point you have to get back into the current.
- You get to decide for yourself the meaning of success.
- We are all between swims.
- Take care of rivers—these things are special.
- Enjoy the ride.
- Always take a minute to look back upstream to appreciate what you’ve accomplished.
This article originally appeared in the Rapid Summer/Fall 2016 issue.
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