'Mission Kayak' Accomplished!

There's nothing quite like the feeling of accomplishing something new! This week, I am basking in the warm fuzziness of that feeling because I have just completed my 1 star kayaking qualification from the British Canoe Union.

The course ran over a series of five weekday evenings and covered all the basics of canoeing and kayaking, including elementary manoeuvres, embarking and disembarking from boats, capsizing and of course health & safety and rescue procedures.

Another requisite for the award is to complete a river trip. I had this pleasure back in August on an all day kayaking excursion along the Thames in Oxford. We had dreadful weather that consisted of perpetual rain, thunder and lightning! (But I did it!)

Admittedly I still have a lot to learn - my kayaking skills are more 'learner driver' than 'formula one' racer at this stage, but I intend to persevere with it, as I would love to become proficient enough to be able to go sea kayaking in the none too distant future.

But let's not get ahead of myself. For now I shall simply pat myself on the back and enjoy practising my new found skills. :)