Sunday, March 15, 2015

Preparing To Kayak Harpeth River

By Lena Stephenson


Spending a day on the river is a great way to recharge the batteries. Whether you decide to kayak Harpeth River down the whitewater rapids or opt for a more gentle journey, you will come back refreshed and ready to take on whatever challenges life throws at you. If you've been shooting the rapids, you will already have stared death in the face and won. Nothing your boss can dish out is going to defeat you.

The first shot of adrenalin comes when you click the submit button after booking your trip. The preparation period is to be savored, especially the parts where you go shopping and prepare what you are going to take with you for lunch and snacks. If it's the first trip of the season, go out and buy new stuff, especially a cagoule. This should keep at least your top half dry.

Another advantage to whitewater rafting is the extra calories you are going to burn, lots of 'em! This is not the day to diet, you owe it to the other people who will be paddling the big rubber boat with you. This is the time to splurge on big sandwich rolls, thick with filling and extra mayo.

You may wish to take a thermos full of tea, coffee, soup, or hot chocolate. If there is one thing you can count on, you will definitely get wet! A hot drink on a shore-break can revive you and prepare you for the devil waters ahead. Whatever you take, make sure you put it in a waterproof container. This won't keep your sandwiches dry if you turn over in the boat, but there is every chance that this will not happen.

Don't take anything with you in the boat that you would not be happy to simply throw into the water. In the unlikely event that the boat overturns, and they do, it will be gone forever. So no cell phones (you probably wouldn't get a signal anyway). Fine, if you really can't live without that selfie, take your spare phone.

Take sunglasses, but not your good ones. If it is a sunny day, the glare on the water will be unbearable. If you really must wear prescription lenses, make sure you can secure them on your head with a hat, scarf or one of those devices designed for the purpose.

Your guide will advise you to wear a life jacket and helmet. Do it. If you want to know why, chances are the little shop before you get into the water will have a photograph of someone who failed to take this advice. It will not be a pretty picture.

When the day is done, and ordinary people are winding down, you will want to party all night long. Do so, you have earned it. You and your pals won't be able to stop talking anyway, not for hours. Have a few beers. Dance. Above all, use the time wisely and start planning your next whitewater rafting excursion.




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