I think I have finally settled upon an adventure for the "choose your own adventure" project. Some weeks ago, my friends Joe and Wyka brought me along to a kayak "rolling" class, held in the field house swimming pool. It was only $5, so I decided it might be cool to try it out.The first class turned out to be a very frusterating one. Not one of us could get the roll down, but we left the class determined to succeed next week.
For those who don't know, a roll in a whitewater kayak consists of turning yourself upright after you've tipped over in the boat. It requires a great deal of technique, muscle memory, and coordination.
The hardest part of rolling is fighing off the fight-or-flight response of being upside down in a kayak. The initial shock and fear or drowning made every instruction we learned before go completely out the window.
However, the next week we did get our rolls down. The sense of pride and accomplishment was well-worth the hours of frusteration we endured the week before.
This adventure could fit under the "purposeful" account of adventure, according to Richard Mitchell.
...Justification is of importantce, for it helps legitimate the participation of one group of persons likely to involve them in activities...
I feel that this kayaking class holds great importance, because I hope to go on a whitewater kayaking trip in the near future. If I don't know how to roll back over when I tip, I will be in serious trouble.
