Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Preparing To Kayak Harpeth River

By Lena Stephenson


There is nothing more invigorating than a day on the water. Whether you decide to go shooting the rapids on a Class III river or have a gentle kayak Harpeth River, it will refresh you like nothing else on earth. Going whitewater rafting has the added benefit of leaving you feeling like you have cheated death, and won.

The excitement begins almost immediately after you hang up the phone after arranging the trip. Not only is preparation the key to a successful day out, the process is fun in itself, especially deciding what you are going to take for a picnic! Even deciding what to wear can be fun. If it's your first jaunt of the season, you may want to go out and buy some new shorts, a top, extra socks, and the obligatory bandana. Nobody knows why, just everybody wears one.

Another advantage to whitewater rafting is the extra calories you are going to burn, lots of 'em! This is not the day to diet, you owe it to the other people who will be paddling the big rubber boat with you. This is the time to splurge on big sandwich rolls, thick with filling and extra mayo.

It is a good idea to take a thermos full of your favorite hot drink. You will most certainly get wet, and it can be cold on the water. Most rivers are the remnants of what once carved out canyons. Cold air sinks, and you will be at the bottom of that canyon.

Don't take with you anything you can't afford to lose forever. Even if you don't tip the boat over and lose everything, anything can happen on the river. Also, there may be loads of other people, some of whom prey on those who are preoccupied with preserving life on the rapids. Beware pickpockets, and lock your valuables in the car. Really, they are much safer there than at the bottom of Montgomery Bell Tunnel.

You will need sunglasses, so make sure these are not your prescription pair with all the exotic lens coatings. A cheap supermarket or drugstore pair will do nicely. It can get pretty bright on the river if the sun is shining and reflecting off the water. If you are paddling through canyons, these will mostly protect your eyes from the sun, but there will be times when you are out in the open. You will want to see what's in front of you.

At some point, someone will tell you to put on a life vest and a hard hat. Do this. If you fall out of the boat, these will save your life. Prevailing wisdom is to aim your feet downstream if you fall out so that if you crash into a rock, it won't be with your head. This is not always possible. If there is a store near where you enter the water, there will probably be a photograph of someone who did not listen to this advice. It will not be their best photograph.

When the adventure draws to a close, it will take your hours to wind down. Enjoy it. In fact, use the time to plan your next river trip!




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