Cj Grace

Kayaking

Proffessor Wright
4/8/2014

This summer, I would like to go whitewater kayaking in the grand

canyon. The reason for this is because I have always wanted to see the
grand canyon, and kayaking it seems like it would be a brilliant way to
get an amazing experience with it. Most likely, I would end up using a
downriver boat. The reason for this is because they are basically the
middleground to play boats and creek boats, and I believe that their
ability to go better and faster in a straighter line could possibly be very
useful. I also like the fact that basic play moves are still posible in
them, so if I wanted to try some out I could take the chance and do
that. After a bit of research, I would use a 190 cm paddle, preferably
with 40 degree feathered blades, and a once piece non-compactable
carbon fiber shaft.

On the gear end of things, I have a few things that I believe that I
would most likely have with me and/or wear. First off, I would mostly
have a drysuit with built in feet, to stay as warm as possible, especially
since I get cold easily, and do tend to accidentally flip fairly often.
Next, I would rememeber to bring a spray skirt, to keep as much water

out of my boat as possible. I would also most likely have gloves, to

both help me keep a better grip on my paddle and to keep my hands
as warm and dry as possible as I tend to get jittery if my hands stay
soaking wet or immersed in water for too long. Of course I would have
a properly fitting PFD, and a whitewater helmet that most likely had a
visor to help protect my eyes from the sun. As for things to have with
me, I would make sure to have, at the absolute least, a waterproof bag
with easy to eat and non-persishable food, dry clothing, a bilge pump,
a first aid kit, a generic cellphone (that could be used to call 911 if
needed) and a towel. I would also keep a whistle, signal mirror, GPS in
a waterproof case and a small waterproof flashlight in my PFD.

There could be safetey hazards for me doing this, especially in

such rough water. First, though probably least likely during the
summer, is hypothermia. If I somehow went hypothermic, I already
plan to have clean and dry clothes and a towel with me, as well as a
cellphone to call 911, so I could get to shore the best I could and
hopefully be helped by others. Bad weather could also be a problem,
especially with weather being extremely unpredictable in the summer.
I could suddenly encounter high winds or rough waters, both of which
could potentially flip me and leave me stranded with no boat. The way
to counter this would be to have my utmost important emergency

supplies close enough that I could grab them while wet exiting and get
them to safety with me. Third, I could encounter large rocks, or areas
that I could not safely manuver through without risk of injury; this is
where the helmet and first aid kit come in. The helmet would protect
my head from a lot of harm, and if the rest of me gets beat up, I would
have the first aid kit and the cellphone to help me out.

To make kayaking a part of my healthy lifestyle for the rest of my

life, there are several things that I could do. Most important of all
though, I would probably buy a kayak! If I planned to stick with it
forever, renting kayaks every time I wanted to go out would get too
expensive, and it would also severely hinder the places that I could go.
I would also make sure to buy the gear I need to stay safe, such as my
helmet, PFD, wetsuit/drysuit, spray skirt, and a first aid kit. I could
teach some of my friends about kayaking, maybe take them to an
instructional class, and then go out on the rivers with them. I could
even take part in group kayaking tours of different places all around
the world.

"Beginners Guide to Kayak Terminology." At NRS.com. N.p., n.d. Web.

10 Apr. 2014. <http://www.nrs.com/kayaks/kayak_terminology.asp>.
"Kayak Paddle Sizing." Paddlesports Best. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.

<http://aquabound.com/kayak-paddle-sizing-guide>.
"Kayaking Gear List." Kayak Gear List Tips. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr.
2014. <http://www.ems.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=3942296>.