Shut Up and Paddle

Well, looks like I have finally been talked into attempting the Ocoee River again. I had a nasty run there last August, swam above Grumpy’s, cracked two ribs, and took four months off of paddling. I started back up on January 1st this year and have been pushing myself with the goal of running the big O again, this time with less incident. A lot has happened since that time last year. For one, I started paddling a new boat–went from an EZG that I was not ready for at all–to a Lil Joe that feels like the perfect boat for me at this point in my padding. I started using hand paddles. I know some people don’t like them, but my roll is 95% with HP’s and I’m getting a lot better at boat control and edging since, well, I have to be. I spent the entire winter (Jan through March) doing indoor roll practice 1-2 times/week. If you are struggling with getting a reliable roll, I strongly recommend REGULAR practice. Just hitting it a few times does not make a combat roll–drill it into your brain and body/muscles. My boat confidence has gone up tremendously and a lot of my nervousness has calmed. I had two great runs down the Pigeon and while I was nervous, I wasn’t freaked and managed just fine. As a result, a friend is trying to convince me that I’m ready for the Ocoee (actually lots of freinds have been trying to convince me, I just finally listened to the last one).

So next weekend (June 30th) I’ll make a second attempt on the Ocoee. Unfortunately, I have plans this weekend so I can’t really paddle and prepare myself. I have to trust the six months of work and effort I’ve put in, and trust my skills that I know I have. Since I made this decision, 1-2 days ago, I’ve been telling all my friends and talking about how nervous I am (I have butterflies already - a week before). So I am listening to my own words. Time to stop analyzing it, talking about it, fretting about it, and just SHUT UP AND PADDLE.

 Nuff said. I will let you know how great it is!