Whitewater and Fear

[gannon_w]

When approaching a rapid there are only 2 ways to grow. Inward and outward. By choosing to let fear, not to be confused with common sense, run our life we grow more inwards every instant time passes. However, by choosing to confront that which limits us, you grow more outwards as an individual.

[Fish]

Another great discussion on fear, and maybe the best whitewater book ever written, can be found in William Nealy's classic "Kayak." It was written before the word "boof" was invented and when many of the boats were still made of fiberglass, but it still feels as up to date to read as it ever did. Just one of Nealy's observations on fear: if you're can't spit, portage. :-)

Borrow or buy a copy of this one if you haven't already read it!

[bmartin]

Agreee with most of what has been said but want to point out that there is some hard neuro-anatomy at play as well. Executive functioning which is in the pre-frontal lobe of the cortex is largely responsible for planning and decision making processes weighing risks, rewards, and delayed versus immediate gratification among other things. These areas of the brain are not fully developed until the mid-twenties and like most things cerebral, individuals are endowed with different levels. Most of us that have made it to 30+ something can look back at our late teens and think of many things that we are amazed and thankful that we survived and given the opportunity to do over would probably pass on. Not saying us old farts let fear rule the day or young lads never taste it, but the calculus changes which affects whether you bomb a run or not in addition to other factors mentioned like experience and ability to maintain composure in tight spots.

[canoe]

MAJOR PROPS Davidbob, can't believe you were able to control yourself so well, must be growing up? canoe

[Eric Esche]

I like to think that what I have now is a "healthy respect" of what water can do, rather than a fear. I'm 20 years beyond Fish at 60 and do not do much whitewater anymore, but am comfortable doing what I do, and enjoying the water just as much as I ever have, just with less adrenaline. I saw a lot of carnage, participated in some in my 20's and 30's, (even got the "5 falls swim team" guide shirt and some Whetstone Photography photos from Southeastern to prove it) paddleing up to 250+days a year for 15 years on class IV-V waters, and helped find and retrieve several bodies. That gives you a lot to think about. Didn't stop me doing anything I did before or really change anything that I did, except maybe make me worry more about who I was with.

The earlier you start paddleing can affect how you view whitewater, how fast you learn and sometimes HOW you learn. The better you learn to roll on both sides makes a difference in confidence levels, and along with how much, how often, and then how "far" you paddle. Milage isn't everything, but it too can help wire in things.

Eric Esche

[Don Harwood]

Wow, this is a great thread! It's so great to see all of your thoughts on this subject!
I also admire the DeReimer's, just as okieboater! And to have actually paddled with them is so cool!
And the legendary Doug Ammons' book is a favorite, as well as William "Not Bill" Nealy's "Kayak"!
Man, that is a wealth of great information right there and covers a lot of my education in kayaking.
I think that the mental aspects of paddling hard whitewater especially, should be taught to others as much as possible to enhance their experiences and save them some hard knocks that fear often causes!
You can call it anything you want, but if we don't fear things we're not human! :myday"

Nealy's book is very funny...

To boat or not to boat, that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the
Cruel jests and loud derision from more
Courageous boaters, or to lay futile braces
Upon vast watery obstacles and by not
Rolling up, there drown. To die, to boat
No more, or by portaging to circumvent
The hydraulics and the myriad pointy rocks
That flesh is heir to; 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To carry, not boat
For to boat, perchance to flip-ay, there's the rub...

Apologies to
William "Not Bill" Shakespeare

[Minna Ulmer]

This is a great thread . But Ill have to say that if I had portaged every time I couldent spit, I would never learned to kayak! ! Fortunately,I have some WONDERFUL friends to paddle with who are excellent teachers with awesome rescue skills incase I dont rescue myself. A BIG THANKS to ACC and to all the formal and informal instructors who continue to help me enjoy paddling more and more each year! Minna

[adavis]

So glad to see that I am not the only one having trouble with the fear factor. After being "stuck" (while up-side down) with my feet past the foot pegs and a realization I wasn't going to get out-I decided to use a paddle brace that I had only read about and the current held it enough for me to bring myself to the surface and shout. I then saw the rescue boater (looked sort of like Jesus with a helmet to me) and yelled "rope" and he threw right to me. I was sort of scared to get back on the river but since it was the only way to get home, I did. Things would have been OK except another woman in our group flipped and could not get out at all. I look upstream to see Victor struggle with her and saw the "Thousand yard stare" for the first time. Luckily another rescue boater there threw a rope to them and pulled them both in. After that I was ready to walk out-which we did. She was really spent and would not have made it without Victor. How can I paddle with my own experienced rescuer in tow? I think I will stick to class 1 unless I am surrounded with the rescue guys-they are really great. I know I have lost my "edge" but hopefully, not my good sense. Thanks again to Victor C.