I brought my kayak down to Victoria from Sproat Lake in January and only just got it in the water on the Canada Day long weekend.
I hate to admit it, and maybe it's a good thing, but I've become a lot more cautious.
My kayak lives at Fisherman's Wharf in Victoria's busy harbour. As soon as I poke my nose out, I'm in the traffic. I need to be mindful of float planes, whale watching boats and big ferries like the Coho lest I make the kind of navigational error that make real mariners cringe.
Even worse than that, I don't want to be the unprepared novice in need of rescue who makes the six o'clock news. I do not experience the same hesitation about my terrestrial adventures, but perhaps I should.
I recognized myself in the movie 127 Hours as the solo hiker who doesn't use a check in person (I know it's wrong Susie, I know).
I guess I find it hard to define when a day hike becomes an activity that requires such precautions. I think we are made to be fearful of outings that are not high-risk. I'd like to think I know when to let someone know where I've gone and when I expect to return.
So I took it easy. I took it slow. Got comfortable with getting my vessel on and off the dock (thanks for the handy grid Victoria Harbour Authority!).
Next time I may venture beyond Laurel Point. When I really get comfortable I will paddle out of the harbour and to sea.
I hate to admit it, and maybe it's a good thing, but I've become a lot more cautious.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy165PjXMHueJ2Zh_Z8OdC7dVBqAV9X0YxAxJ5nMp6L_6rlmut5kW2TlNKsLijSt6Hhik67a6zoVbXJyGnCk9JyBu1hd7pRVxs30lxTrkDpqdJmNb3GbTfjrtxRKuh_9Hsmsd5/s400/blog_traffic_1626.jpg)
Even worse than that, I don't want to be the unprepared novice in need of rescue who makes the six o'clock news. I do not experience the same hesitation about my terrestrial adventures, but perhaps I should.
I recognized myself in the movie 127 Hours as the solo hiker who doesn't use a check in person (I know it's wrong Susie, I know).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiy6lK9pD1XmoqBR4_6IDC6vxeakDm0WXSbdlFaZo2holoU6lJ3k9udQmolD825M1f1hVC_bs49n9c3LJzV793xUTF1AUwJ1p3oaiJ3GtAD3b7zs2qQ10KzG3JbstDkcY_CG9O/s200/blog_kayakgrid_1629.jpg)
So I took it easy. I took it slow. Got comfortable with getting my vessel on and off the dock (thanks for the handy grid Victoria Harbour Authority!).
Next time I may venture beyond Laurel Point. When I really get comfortable I will paddle out of the harbour and to sea.
3 comments:
So clever to keep your kayak right at the shore where you can drop it into the water any time – and go either inland along the Gorge, or out into the Strait. Great scenery either way.
But then, I always knew you were smart.
Aah, Heather, I laughed out loud when I read this post! I'm so glad you got to put your kayak in the water though.
– Susie
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