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Each year, during the last week of December, my family and I revise our individual Bucket Lists. It’s our New Year’s tradition. During this time, we find what is common between the three lists and attempt to plan our family vacation, keeping these Bucket Lists items in mind.
The goal- What can we all cross off in the upcoming year?This year, we chose Whitewater Rafting as the Bucket List item to conquer. After a little research and connecting with our dear friends, the Richmond’s, we planned a trip to Oregon to experience white water rafting down the Rogue River. After studying all of the reviews, the “Thrill Seeker” all day package at Orange Torpedo Rafting became our destination.After arriving at Orange Torpedo Rafting, we began getting geared up for our morning kayaking. Our incredible guide, Quinten, prepared us for the adventure by giving us specific instructions on how to steer the kayak, get out of danger, and navigate our way down the river. He warned us that the largest rapids we would navigate through in the morning excursion were a level 2. Unfortunately, I had no idea what those numbers meant, but it sounded less dangerous than the Level 4 rapids we had heard would be a part of our afternoon experience.
We all got settled in our kayaks and began to coast down the river. We approached our second set of rapids, and I decided to coast over them instead of paddling, as our guide had suggested. He had told us speed is your friend in the rough water, but instead, I lifted my oar and tried to ride the rushing water, just to find myself stuck on a rock. At first, I thought, I’ve got this. I’ll simply use the oar and push myself away from the boulder.
Yah. No. That water pressure is beyond powerful, and there was no pushing against it. Then, I did what I think anyone would do in this situation, cupped my hand around my mouth and yelled down to my team and guide,
“Help!!! Help!!! I’m stuck!! D, come help me!! My boat is filling up with water! I’m going to die!!!”I kept leaning away from the boulder out of instinct and yelling to the top of my lungs. The more I leaned away, the more water filled my kayak. Once my boat was completely full of water, the left side (away from the rock) was beginning to lift up. I was terrified! I wanted to cry so bad, but I kept telling myself, “Don’t cry. You will lose all control.” In my mind, I kept thinking, “What did the guide say to do if we got in this situation?”I could see the guide, Quinten, down below the river, but I couldn’t hear anything but rushing water all around me. I knew it was impossible for anyone to come upstream, literally up a hill of rushing water and rocks, to rescue me. I finally resigned that it was useless to call for help. I was in a state of panic, but finally decided to follow the instructions given us by the guide before we ever got in the boat! The weirdest command he gave us was, “Lean into danger!”
As I pondered the thought of it, I would try to make my body lean toward the massive boulder, but I couldn’t do it. I was totally drenched and could feel my contacts lifting out of my eyes from the rush of water coming off that massive rock!
Lean into danger!It just didn’t make sense. By this time, my kayak was lifting high on the left side and the rapids were steady pushing me into the boulder. The more I thought about it and looked down to see my guide and D waiting for me, I just decided to go against my head and leaned into the raft closest to the boulder. I leaned into danger! I thought I would surely fly out and smack my face against the rock and roll down the hill of rushing water and bed of boulders, but what else was I to do? To my surprise, my kayak broke loose, and I went down the river–in the boat! My heart was pounding out of my chest. I was terrified and my boat was still full of water. When I saw my guide and D waiting for me, I wanted to tell them I was going to get out at the next bank, and walk back to our starting point.
However, once you’re in the water, you’re committed! There isn’t a walking trail to lead you back. As the thoughts are racing through my mind, our guide, Quinten, was right there waiting to give me feedback and congratulate me on getting through that tough situation. We discussed my decisions during that encounter and made plans for how I would do better through the next set of rapids.
1. Paddle through the rough waters. Don’t coast in the rapids; you lose all control. Keep paddling and do so with purpose.2. No one could come to save me. It was impossible. I had to do it on my own. I had to rely on what I had been taught and work through the rough waters, alone.3. Look up and focus on the guide. Don’t stare just a few feet in front of the boat. Follow a boat’s length behind the guide and you will avoid dangerous obstacles that could cause you much harm.4. Avoid getting out of your boat, in the rough waters, at all cost. It’s too risky! The major risk is getting your foot caught in the rocks and possibly drowning.5. When in trouble, lean into danger and shake your body in a scooting motion inside your boat. It causes the water to shift and allows you to break free.
6. Once, free from the boulder, paddle hard downstream. Focus. Self-talk. Move that vessel like your life depends on it…because it does.From that moment on, and with each set of rapids, I became more and more confident. Also, after each set of rough waters, Quinten would meet me as we approached the calmer water and give me praise while providing more constructive feedback.
As I kayaked the seven and a half mile trek down the river, I found myself not only rowing confidently through the calm and rough waters but appreciating the beauty around me. As I reflected on my lessons learned, I believe my six kayak lessons apply to life as we know it. 1. How often do we need to keep paddling through the rough waters? When the going gets rough, that is NOT the time to coast. We must stay in control and keep paddling, doing so with purpose.2. There are times, we have a team of people to help us through situations, but there are other times when no one else can decide for us. Sometimes we have to rely on our training and trust that we will make it through.3. When life’s obstacles try to throw us off track, we need to look up and focus on our guide. Don’t stare just a few feet in front of the boat. Look up to your mentor, to someone who you trust, or whoever YOUR guide is (spiritually or personally) and allow them to model avoiding the dangerous life-obstacles that could cause you much harm.4. Just because life gets tough, we can’t bail out of the raft. Just like in my kayaking adventure, avoid getting out of your boat! The water is too strong and the obstacles are too risky. Stay in the boat!5. How often have we been faced with a risk, and we had to lean into danger and trust that what’s meant to be will be? Sometimes it is a risky professional adventure. Other times, it is a personal decision we are placed in and must learn to navigate. Yet, it seems to me, these “lean into danger” situations teach us the lessons that stick forever. In fact, sometimes, the risk brings about much success. If such a situation presents itself to you, lean into danger. It might just cause the “water” to shift, and allow you to break free to a new level in your professional or personal life. 6. Then, once the obstacle is removed, and you’re free from the boulder, paddle hard downstream. Focus. Self-talk. Move forward like your life depends on it—because it might!Remember, you’re stronger than you think! When the water of life, personally or professionally gets rough, don’t give up! Sometimes, others can’t row upstream and save you; it is up to YOU! Do what you know to do and get over the rough waters. With each set of life-rapids, you’ll get stronger and more confident!Lean into danger and paddle with purpose. You’ve got this!
This is me at the end of the kayaking adventure! The Confident kayaker!
PS The afternoon Whitewater Rafting experience was like none other! It was a Bucket List item we will likely never forget. It was incredibly dangerous and very risky. We had built a relationship with the guide who would lead us through the rafting excursion, Josh.
Josh led our children on the morning canoeing trip, and we trusted him with our life–literally. Isn’t it interesting that when you have a whole team of people and a trusted guide inside the boat with you, facing the “Level 4 Waters of Life,” with a fierce determination, seems like a no-brainer!Maybe that’s a blog post for another day. 😉
Martin Bucket List- Images of Whitewater Rafting – Level 4 Rapids
I am an educator who values the individuality and uniqueness of others. Writing the blog R.E.A.L. is an outlet for me to pay it forward by sharing ideas, influences, lessons learned and exposing a little vulnerability while encouraging others to maximize their R.E.A.L. potential, as well.