The keener experience - by savannah westeinde

KEENERS!!! I've been looking forward to these 3 weeks of Summer all year now, but I've also been dreading them. It's the fear and excitement off the unknown that really makes the experience so much more enjoyable. I was excited to improve my paddling, and to meet all the new people hoping I would be able to forge strong bonds with (if not everyone) most of the people at keenerville. I was dreading some of the more dangerous activities that I had heard would be part of the course, and I was also dreading meeting all the new people. But now that I'm here, looking back I wish that I hadn't spent so much time worrying about things that will happen in the future and spent more time living life in the present. Because as soon as I got here I knew that these would be some of the best three weeks of my life, all of the kids, coaches and paddlers were amazing and so nice. I hit it of with my fellow cabin mates right away and have had so much fun with them and it's only the second day! I've also discovered a change in my outlook on life, the first day when we got on the water I was terrified! ( yes I am pretty much terrified of any rapid where there is anything that could possibly go wrong) but as soon as we went down our first rapid, I had discovered a new found confidence. I wasn't afraid anymore and I was ready for any challenges that the next three weeks had in store for me. I even found myself swimming in the whirlpools at the bottom of Normans (which is not something I'd normally do at all). It's just all such an amazing experience and you meet so many new people from all around the world. I've realized why this is such an amazing sport, not only are there tons of amazing beautiful rivers to explore, but the environment and the people are both so amazing and unique. It's a sport like no other and I am so excited to see what these next three weeks have in store for me.