reprieve

Today I was planning to return to the kayak company where I participated in the wet exit and rescue class on Sunday for some practice. The kayak I was in on Sunday couldn't be tipped over because it would sink (it doesn't have the inserted bladders, I think that's what they're called) so there would be nothing to really hold it up. So I got to practice rescuing, rather than being rescued. Which I was fine with. There was another boat I could have tried, but I was still building confidence about being back on the water and knew the boat I was in.

So I'd decided to give it a go today and to do it in a smaller area and one-on-one. But when I called to see if someone was available, I discovered that there has been a severe algal bloom from a contributing water source, so it would have to be further away from the boathouse and in a completely different body of water. And the person who was going to do it with me was not available.

So I received a reprieve today and didn't have to go up and practice falling into the water and getting back into my boat. And I'm okay with that.

What I did instead was to come home and blow up my new Ik (Inflatable Kayak). It was still in its original box since I bought it after losing my first one. I will admit to a little hesitation about going back into the whitewater - as well as some excitement; I will be going out on Sunday and realized I hadn't checked the new boat for leaks.

Luckily, there are no leaks that I can detect at this point - yay. And I am feeling really confident about going out in this boat. It is totally different than the last Ik I had; sturdy, it's a "real" boat not a plastic play toy, it has a heavy canvas covering over the tubes.... It feels sturdy and strong.

Yahoo. Water, here I come!