How to survive big water beat down Thursday - Tim

Every thursday at keeners is big water beat down day, or BWBD day. This is one of the most terrifying things I have done at keeners, but it is also my favourite day of the week. It involves purposely paddling into a giant hole called Phils hole, and surfing it for as long as possible. Here are a few tips to help you get through Thursdays at keeners.

Tip# 1, Don't chicken out.
   This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. The only thing worse than not having fun is watching everyone else have fun. If you chicken out, you will spend the day sitting on the side of the river watching everyone else, which is no fun. Although Phils hole is a very intimidating rapid, it is very safe, so even if you exit your kayak, no harm will be done to you. This makes it a great place for pushing your limits and trying things that you have not done before.

Tip# 2, Listen to instructors

   This is also an important part of surviving big water beat down Thursday. They know a huge amount about kayaking, and will make sure you will survive Thursday. Before we hopped in our kayaks, They made us swim the whole rapid, so that we were confident that even if we swam, we would be in no danger. They also tell us what parts of Phils hole are more retentive, and what parts are more flushy.

Tip#3, Have Fun!

   It is very difficult not to have fun on thursdays at keeners, Although kayaking in Phils hole is scary, it is also a Lot of fun. By kayaking in rapids that are much bigger than what you are used to, it makes you a much better kayaker, because everything else that you paddle now feels like a breeze, so you can put your energy toward doing tricks in waves, instead of trying to survive.

Overall, Big water beat down Thursday has been my favourite day of keeners so far, and even though Phils hole still scares me, I feel much more confident kayaking in big water.