White Water Canoe Certification Day 1

Monday, April 5, 2010
While checking the American Whitewater website for river conditions, I saw that the little white water area at the Holyoke Dinosaur Tracks is actually called Holyoke (Wave-o-Saurus). Very funny. Had no idea it had a cool name. We checked readings and the best shot today was up near Keene, NH on the Ashuelot River.

Once we arrived and unloaded, set up the shuttle and ate a quick lunch, we launched in an area of class II. Anna and I were partners in a tandem and within 5 minutes, hit a rock broadside, went swimming and bounced off the rocks down the river. I kept holding on to the canoe and somehow my paddle. After a while someone suggested I let go of the canoe so I could maneuver better toward the bank. I remembered the defensive swimming, keeping "nose and toes" up so as not to get a foot stuck in rocks. That's when I could feel the bouncing off the rocks as the current swept us down river. Joe and Mark were on the side and Mark threw a throw bag to me that helped me pull in and climb up on a rock. Anna went a little further down and had help from Evan. We'll feel it for sure tomorrow though I can feel some bruises and stiffening tonight. I banged up my left hand knuckles and one was cut. I kept dipping them in water when we would stop, hoping the cold would keep any swelling down. Though, I was surprised that the water didn't feel as cold as I expected. In fact, we were all warm enough that it felt refreshing--granted we have our dry suits on.

I hadn't been feeling very confident about my strokes and which to use when and told Evan when he checked in with us both to see how we were doing physically and emotionally. It wasn't an ideal starting point for the day but he told us it would calm down in a short distance. I was frustrated with what felt like I had blanked on what I had known in the Adirondacks after a week of paddling. Just don't feel it now and my frustration was obvious.

Anna got an opportunity to try Beth's solo and she came and paddled with me. She made it fun but I was still struggling emotionally to pull myself out of it. Damn.

Tomorrow we meet at the boathouse at 8:30. Need to bring our presentation outlines.