Big Water Desensitization- Julia Frangenberg

               Here at Keeners we learn and develop a lot of skills that benefit us immensely by keeping us safe and thriving on the water. We learn to familiarize ourselves with many different water levels and rapid types. A large aspect taken away from Keeners is big water desensitization, which is, for example, running humongous rapids that scare the beejeebies out of us and then coming back to something  smaller and feeling much more confident. This skill came in handy when I attended the first session of Keeners before session three. The water levels were unusually high (12-17 feet) and everything on both channels was humongous and at first incredibly intimidating. However, as the weeks flew past we all began to feel more comfortable on rapids that none of us would have even thought about running before, being able to challenge ourselves without panicking. After the session ended, I came back home to find that I was so much more willing and inspired to try things that challenged and scared me. I got my loop, worked on my double pump significantly more, and overall was more confident in my skills. So, when I returned to Keeners after three weeks for third session, the lower and less frightening rapids no longer scared me. I was able to challenge myself and attempt things that I never would have tried before. I just recently got my double pump, my first wavewheels, a kickflip, and a roundhouse. All of these factors originated from the fact that I was used to the kind of water I was paddling, and wasn't afraid anymore to do things that scared me. The key point is, make yourself scared. Do things that you want to learn. All these factors will make you such a good paddler, one who is willing to do (safe) things that terrify them.