Keeners is a special place. We are here to develop not only as paddlers but also to become better people in our day to day lives. Even though what we do on the river is the main reason kids from around the world converge at keeners year after year the more meaningful reason is to discover our part in improving the lives of others.
How? The environment at keeners is incredibly conducive to practicing being your best self. The atmosphere is that way in a large part because of our coaches. Steven Write (AKA Stevo) is our head Keener coach. Some of the lessons Stevo teaches us are skills that will play a role throughout the rest of our lives (while some are not…)!
One such lesson I learned today was why one should not be the last person to get on the water in the morning. Stevo's pair of Disney Princess Water Wings of Shame will be bestowed upon you. Until lunch, with shame and embarrassment you are required to wear them.
Like I mentioned before keeners is a place full of opportunities to practice being your best self and doing things for others. I was lucky to have the opportunity to hand off my beautiful princess water wings to Bennett after lunch. But I framed his experience with Snow White, Ariel and Repunsil in a brighter light. I had been given the water wings because I was a slow poke. Bennet earned the water wings for his dedication to learn how to cartwheel at S-Bend. The water wings of shame became the water wings of fame and destiny.
So… onto what you’ve been waiting for. How do you earn yourself some gorgeous disney princess water wings? Either put your heart and soul into your kayaking like Bennett did and you might get them after lunch or follow these sure fire tricks for a morning dose.
Step 1: Take a really long time putting your water bottle into your boat. The key is finding a place where it is easily accessible but does not fall out or impede you from gracefully leaving your kayak when you feel the need for a little plunge.
Step 2: Choose the put in slide with the longest line up.
Step 3: Become impatient and find another shute that is not crowded but really sketchy. Bushes, large roots and sticky clumps of mud are great indicators to follow if your new to this type of scouting.
Step 4: Put on your skirt as occwardly as possible.
Step 5: Frantically push off and begin sliding towards the water.
Step 6: Loose your balance then get stuck in the clay like a fish out of water.
Step 7: watch as all of the other keeners hit the water and feel your stomach drop when Stevo excitedly hollers your name and announces to the entire group that you will be the shameful owner of the water wings for the day.
Most things in life that we get, we earn in some way, be it good or bad. What matters is what we do with the gifts that are given to us. An opportunity is only one if you can recognize it. Water wings of shame have the ability to embarrass you but they may also give you the opportunity to highlight the strengths of someone else. It’s all about what opportunities you can see in the gifts, good or bad, that you are given.
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