Big Water Beat Downs and Chemical Burns by Rose Menominee

Hey readers! Rose here, I'm sixteen, this is my first time at keeners and oh boy am I sore. I had my first Big Water Beat down Thursday last week and I was more than a little bit scared. My mum always told me: "Don't go down Phil's hole or you will die." (I suggest you read that in a stern mom voice so you can get the full experience.) So naturally I was more than a little bit scared when the coaches told us we were running McCoys on Thursday. despite my immense fear I was able to convince myself that running that section of river would make me a better paddler as well as give me more confidence when paddling big water. I only did two lines, both times trying to catch Phil's tongue, unfortunately I missed both times. The first time I was way to far left and got beat down in left side Phil's, the second time however things were going pretty good but I then realized I was too far right.  I ended up surfing right side Phil's, which was super cool, although for most of my surf I was more than a little confused, I hadn't expect to surf anything at all let alone right side Phil's. My mother would have killed me.

I had first aid over the weekend which was pretty good, I thought I learned a lot. However right after first aid ended I went back to my cabin only to spill toilet bowl cleaner on my self, I then read the package and found the scary skeletal hand symbol that meant the product can corrode or burn you. I completely forgot everything I was told and jumped into the shower. Luckily that was the correct thing to do and I was spared a nasty chemical burn.

Until next time,

Rose

Practicing throw ropes in SRT yesterday