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4 . Make sure that people are having fun !
Kayaking should be about having fun ! Sometimes kayaking is just taken way too seriously . For example , when a group is going down a rapid , the leaders might feel stressed because they are conscious that they must look after the rest of the group . That could , in turn , stress out the people they are leading , and they then learn to be scared of the water . Yes , looking after the safety of others is serious , and I would be concerned with any leader who doesn ’ t realise this . But being serious doesn ’ t have to mean you can ’ t have fun simultaneously !
The best river days are when you are having fun through play . You might be going down a moving section of water but not white water . Getting people to play games in this environment , such as catch with a ball or tag , is a great way to learn . Paddlers will start to practice harder paddling skills such as turning whilst holding an edge or focusing on paddling in a straight line . As they are having fun , they are not focused on being scared . People are relaxed and , without even realising , will be learning . And if they are having fun – they are much more likely to return !
5 . Having a culture of support and reassurance
Having helped out a lot with University kayaking clubs , I ’ ve done my fair share of introducing people to their first experience of white water . I can guarantee you that every single one of those people was nervous . It is OK to be nervous ! New experiences can be a little bit scary . For example , if you are paddling Low Force waterfall on the Tees for the first time , that is terrifying ! It is important to reassure people that their emotions are valid and that there is no pressure to paddle a rapid that they don ’ t want to .
Sometimes with nervous paddlers , it can come out as bravado . For example , shouting ‘ Yeah , let ’ s send it !’ in response to scouting a rapid is a step up to what we have paddled so far on that river . The issue is that if that attitude becomes a cultural norm in the club , then other paddlers in that group who are nervous might think that they are the only one ! The result ? Both types of paddlers have an equal chance of swimming the rapid , but the quieter paddler feels like they shouldn ’ t be there . They may falsely believe that no one else is feeling scared when in reality – everyone is scared !
It is essential to have a club culture where walking a rapid or expressing fear is OK . There is no shame in walking something that makes you feel uncomfortable . Kayaking is meant to be fun ; if the fun stops , it is OK for the paddler to stop too . If you encourage that kind of mindset in your club , you are much more likely to get people wanting to return because they know it is a safe place .
I have heard horror stories of some University clubs where people are ‘ shamed ’ if they have a roll or a swim . Having a shared laugh when someone has a silly swim is OK , but no one should shame beginners with little control of their kayak ! Especially if that swim was unpleasant or the roll was in practising a new skill !
Instead , make your club the place where paddlers feel no pressure to paddle certain rapids , but equally , they feel supported and encouraged to step up to the challenge when they are ready .
The aftermath of Low Force . I was laughing and ready to try again . I didn ’ t mind my friends laughing with me ! Photo : Tom Clare