Kayaking

About 12 years ago, I got it in my head that I would start white water kayaking. Took a class in North Carolina, bought the gear, went out a couple of times. Never really had fun because I was so scared of flipping over then not being able to right myself (the eskimo roll). What then ended up happening was I would bail out of the kayak into frigid waters, drag my boat to shore, drain it, and get back on the river as my party waited. I never went out with friends, always strangers. Afraid of making mistakes, I became nervous kayaker, making me flip over even more.

Kayak moves to the basement.

Last month, Paul bought a kayak and he now wants to learn how to do an eskimo roll. The first time I got in my kayak in Alan's pool, my heart started to race. What the hell am I doing back in this thing?!?! But being with friends in a warm pool on a sunny day: completely different experience. So after many tries, I was actually able to do it! I wasn't able to get Paul to successfully roll but next week, we're headed back to Alan's. Don't know if I'm ready to face the cold rivers again (don't tell Paul) but this is definitely a start.