Here at Keeners, life is based around the common interest of everyone here, and that is whitewater kayaking. However, there is more to this sport than meets the eye. It is more than an extreme sport focusing on nailing huge air screws, phonix monkeys, and space Godzillas. Kayaking teaches valuable life lessons and most importantly how to become successful in life.
Firstly, kayaking teaches the value of friendship. There is never a time where kayaking with your friends will be less fun than kayaking on your own. With friends, they will cheer for you when you succeed and even if you fail. Most importantly, friends will be there if you need help. In the off river world, it is important to have friends like this to support you and help you out of tough situations. However, kayaking is an independent sport for the most part. Sometimes there will be times when your friends cannot help you, and you must work out your issue on your own. With enough practice and knowledge in your abilities, you should never end up in a situation that you are helpless.
Additionally, kayaking shows the importance of respecting your limits. this is important because it helps preserve your mental, physical and emotional health. Doing things that you know are outside your comfort zone is important, but in moderation and when there is little or no negative repercussions. Attempting things that you know you cannot do well if at all, can be very dangerous in kayaking, for example, running something so difficult and/or dangerous. That could result in undue stress on your body, and/or mind. What if you did something that stopped you from everyone wanting to¹ kayak again?! In the business world, this means not taking on projects that you cannot do due to lack of knowledge, time or other things. If you can rearrange your schedule to achieve this, but it is important that you don't overdo yourself.
Thirdly, overcoming extreme challenges like whitewater rapids helps in building confidence and a positive self-image. In addition to this, the Journal of Leisurability determined that kayaking supports increased social skills and self-satisfaction. This is important in the life for dealing with stressful situations and panicking. Fear is logical, however panicking shuts down the brain's function to make rational decisions.
As a final point, kayaking teaches good dental hygiene. In the kayaking world, clean teeth results in clean lines, and you can shine your pearly whites for the camera. Having clean lines is essential for kayaking because it reduces the chance of getting hurt and increases the chance of having a good time. As I said in my last blog, having fun is inevitable at Keeners, but it is within your best interest to make the best of your time. Outside of kayaking, maintaining adequate dental hygiene is crucial, because it cuts down on money required for dental work, cavities and whatnot. Spare money can be put towards better things, like kayaking.
In conclusion, kayaking is more than just an extreme sport, it is an art and a way of life. It is an art in the sense that you be yourself and it is relaxing and calming. It is a way of life in the sense that it it shows you other ways of seeing a situation. Lucifer's Anus can teach you a lot of things other than being beat down is the best and worst thing in the world. It teaches you that even if times get tough, enjoy it, because it will get better. But also take into consideration that if you panic and flounder when things get tough, you could drown, metaphorically or in reality. After three weeks in Beachburg, I have had the time of my life, and it is hard to express in words my gratitude for everyone involved. From coaches to friends, I have so much respect for all of them. So I guess that is what I'm taking out of kayaking, and I hope my blogs have been at least entertaining, if not informative. Happy Summer:)
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