Reflections from the Sea Kayaking Outward Bound Course
Kris Hall, Principal of Table Mound Elementary School shares these parts of his course journal with us.
My home boat is the "Danzante," a double kayak I'm sharing with Greg Farrell. Our first launch from the beach went extremely well, except for the waves hitting our kayak before we were able to secure the sea skirts. Once we were past the breaking waves we pumped out the "Danzante" as we bobbed in the 2-3 foot waves. The wind (wind rules) continues to blow steadily from the north.
Our land leader was up at 5:00 a.m. We're hoping to beat the wind. I was awake at 4:00 a.m. on the beach (in between two kayaks again) and freezing. My sleeping bag zipper broke in the middle of the night. I added another layer of clothes but...I miss my sock hat (left at home). I wasn't prepared for the cold.
Our first fire. Probably out of sympathy for me as I didn't pack my sleeping bag before our canyon hike. The bag slipped into our wet kayak. Impossible to dry a wet sleeping bag after 6:00 dewish.
I didn't have the duty this afternoon. Strolled along Palm Beach and spotted a sea lion in the bay. I was startled and struggled to take a picture as I was frantically waving to the group across the bay. The sea lion rolled over in the water and gave me a unconcerned glance. I'm sure the picture will be out of focus or out of range. As I quickly walked back to the group, I wasn't sure if anyone would believe me. I know I was a just a little bit excited as I shared my sea lion experience.
We had uninvited guests after dinner last night. First, a tarantula visited our kitchen table (rock). Adam shared his fear of tarantulas with us as he coaxed the tarantula up his arm. Tarantulas have a bad reputation for only a "bee sting." Later, hundreds of hermit crabs made their journey from the sea to the beach. I woke up a couple of times during the night as a hermit crab crawled over my sleeping bag. "Down by the Sea."
6:25 p.m. Solo: I'm already in "bed" as the wind continues to howl. I've added more rocks to my rock wall and sealed all of my gear.
6:37 p.m. Solo: I'm writing my letter to myself... I believe I just felt an earthquake...and it is raining.
Thank you to Cecilia (sp.) and Antonio for our fish taco meal and necklaces. Lights provided by a car battery, no window and no running water. The word for our evening is "perspective."
Disturbing commentary: I probably know more about my fellow kayakers than I do my staff. I need to prioritize. The word is "perspective."
Lessons From the Sea by Steven Levy
- Never be complacent: a lapse of attention, even for a moment, can have dire, or at least unpleasant consequences.
- Travel light: take care of what you have. Things last a lot longer than you ever imagined.
- Comfort is relative: we adjust to our surroundings like the sense of smell. Monday's dirty laundry might be the cleanest thing you have on Thursday. Or, who would have guessed you could rejoice at finding that perfectly contoured shell or velvet smooth stick?
- Beauty has nothing to do with Madison Avenue or Hollywood. Right, Denise?
- You have absolutely no control over the circumstances around you: all you can control is how you react. Plan carefully, read the signs, and adjust your course.
- There is no such thing as standing still. If you are not active, you will drift off course.
- To find your way, line up your short term plans with your long range goals.
- Use your big muscles. Go with your strength.
- But finesse over strength, whenever you can.
- Some effort on the right turns you right. Some effort on the right turns you left. Know when to use your hands and when to use your feet.
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