My Reflections of Taking a Kayaking Course
Coastal kayaking proved to be a very exciting yet challenging course that allowed for me to spend valuable time outdoors and form new friendships. I originally took the course to fulfill credits needed by the end of summer, but I ended up being thankful for the course I ended up selecting. Since I had been kayaking multiple times in the past, the course material wasn’t entirely new to me. Instead, the course taught me a few things about kayaking and beyond that I will most definitely remember for some time.
Humility
On the second day of the trip out on Monroe Reservoir, we had learned some self and assisted rescue techniques in case somebody falls out of the canoe. The first self-rescue attempt with no assistance proved to be very difficult for me. After trying to get back into my canoe for roughly 10 minutes, I decided to give up and go back to shore. This was very disheartening for me, as I consider myself fit and a good swimmer. Even though it was disappointing for me to not be able to climb back into the canoe by myself with no assistance, this situation showed me that I can’t be successful at everything, nor can I be the best. Others were able to get back into their kayaks, and I have to be ok with that.
Communication
Communication proved to be something of extreme importance throughout the trip. When it came to everything from cooking meals to relaying rescue information, clear and effective communication was key in ensuring the trip’s success and the success of future kayaking trips taken by everyone in the class. This made me think of communication in real life and how important it can be to communicate effectively in every day situations. Ensuring good communication not only helps prevent miscommunication with friends and other professionals, but it also can prevent serious accidents from happening. Considering the importance of communication in kayaking, I will be thinking of how its importance is relevant in other areas of my life.
Attention
Humility
On the second day of the trip out on Monroe Reservoir, we had learned some self and assisted rescue techniques in case somebody falls out of the canoe. The first self-rescue attempt with no assistance proved to be very difficult for me. After trying to get back into my canoe for roughly 10 minutes, I decided to give up and go back to shore. This was very disheartening for me, as I consider myself fit and a good swimmer. Even though it was disappointing for me to not be able to climb back into the canoe by myself with no assistance, this situation showed me that I can’t be successful at everything, nor can I be the best. Others were able to get back into their kayaks, and I have to be ok with that.
Communication
Communication proved to be something of extreme importance throughout the trip. When it came to everything from cooking meals to relaying rescue information, clear and effective communication was key in ensuring the trip’s success and the success of future kayaking trips taken by everyone in the class. This made me think of communication in real life and how important it can be to communicate effectively in every day situations. Ensuring good communication not only helps prevent miscommunication with friends and other professionals, but it also can prevent serious accidents from happening. Considering the importance of communication in kayaking, I will be thinking of how its importance is relevant in other areas of my life.
Attention