This post is sponsored by REI but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
Kayaking is a true metaphor for what it takes to have a healthy relationship. Think about it, you’ll need to practice patience, especially if one of you (that would be me) are new to kayaking, you will also need to create a good paddling rhythm in order to continue to move yourselves forward ( and really what relationship doesn’t require its own rhythm in order to keep it pushing forward?) finally, there is the compassion and empathy you’ll need to show when at some point your partner gets tired and may need to stop paddling while you fervently do it for the both of you. Those are the traits I’ve not only been learning to practice in my own relationship, but skills that I honed on my recent kayaking expedition with Rei.
We woke up to the sound of rain early Saturday morning and wondered how the weather would effect our kayaking excursion. Lajon and I love the rain and I especially love being out in it, so I was super excited by the prospect of getting out on the open water as droplets of rain fell around me making me feel closer to nature. However, I feared that perhaps the surf would be too high and because I don’t know how to swim I feared that may cut our adventure short before it even began.
Yes I already know what you’re thinking “how in the heck are you kayaking if you don’t know how to swim”. While I’ve never learned how to swim I have always loved the ocean, I like to refer to myself as the “adventurous novice” because I’m always attempting new activities that take place in or above the water (parasailing, snorkeling, boogie boarding) it’s just that I haven’t quite mastered actually becoming one with the thing I’m attempting to conquer. Kayaking for me was another giant step toward that and REI were the perfect partners for this.
As we pulled up to the meeting location we were met by REI staff and other guests getting geared up. I’m an em-path so I always have my feelers out catching the vibe and my ability to sense the temperature of the room is especially helpful to me in situations that aren’t familiar. Well the vibe that I caught immediately upon meeting everyone was instantly warm, friendly and inclusive. We were immediately welcomed and asked what we needed and let me tell you, every one of our needs were met and THEN some! REI came prepared to offer everything from dry bags for our belongings, to snacks for the trip and one staffer even let me wear her REI baseball cap when the rain became especially frustrating.
Once we were suited up we went through a short but very thorough safety demonstration where we learned what to do in the event of capsize, and although the excursion I picked was not a beginners course (yes I know, I’m even way too much for myself sometimes), our REI teachers took the time and trained us on how to paddle more efficiently, how to sit on the kayak so that we exerted the proper amount of energy in the correct places in our body (kayaking is all about using your core by the way), and how to navigate on the water. Once the safety demo was done it was time to get our kayaks on the water.
I don’t think I realized how afraid I was going to be once I was out on the water. I thought that my body would be more contained in the kayak and that I would be sitting much lower inside the boat as opposed to so upright and unrestricted. As the kayak swayed on the water I felt my body stiffen, thinking that any quick movement would capsize the kayak. My body was in a constant state of constriction until I realized that not relaxing would indeed turn the kayak over. All of this was in my mind while trying to keep the paddling rhythm with Lajon, (who by the way was a real trooper) I actually got pretty freaked out at one point and was super close to going back to the shore. This is where the whole relationship/kayaking metaphor came to me because during the time we are on this kayak and I’m beginning to get out of sync with his paddling my fear starts taking over. But being the patient man that he is, he just continues to coach and reassure me (as I’m having a full on melt down by the way). His patience speaks to having to be strong when your partner isn’t and having their back when their at the most vulnerable place. There’s just so much trust, synchronicity and patience you must have when you kayak, it should truly be an activity everyone attempts before getting married!
Thankfully as we got further out on the water I became more comfortable and confidant. So much so, I was in the zone and took the reins and paddled for the both of us! Some of the other guests on the water made jokes about how good we were doing and said kayaking was a true test of a relationship and is often described as the divorcee’s activity.
As much as LaJon was my kayaking champion, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the outstanding support we got from our REI instructors. They were never far from us on the water and created a perfect border around us so that we felt safe and protected. At one point they all got a good laugh when during introductions I said “Hi my name is Winter, I’m terrified and I don’t know how to swim”. Prior to getting out on the water I let my REI Hosts know this and they were totally fine with my inability to swim but let me know t that if I felt any different when I was out on the water I could turn back at any point. Knowing that I had their support and confidence in me made me feel so much more at ease. As we were out on the water they were even more supportive with their “great job Winter” and “you’ve got the hang of it”. It may seem silly but feeling the support from our guides and having the other participants cheer me on really made me feel more at ease. In the beginning of the trip we found it hard to keep up with the group and were pretty much at the back of the pack, but on the way back into shore with all of the great instruction and support I was able to keep up with the group and I truly believe we owe to the support of our REI Hosts!
As we made our way back to shore the feeling of excitement and accomplishment was overwhelming. I honestly couldn’t believe that I’d paddled all the way out to the open ocean and back! The excursion truly made me want to sign up for even more REI adventures! I mean if I could kayak there’s no telling what else I’m capable of – hiking, rock climbing, camping? Whatever the next adventure will be, I’m sure if I do it with REI it’ll be another notch in this novice adventures tool belt!