Monday, April 30, 2012 - Blog on a Log

Adventures in Early Paddling

Every month, Wilderness Supply features one of our customers who's had a wild adventure, and passes on some free gear to help them through their next undertaking. With such an early spring, for May we asked you how long you've been paddling this year.  Michelle from Calabogie, Ontario was our earliest entry, with March 24th!

My earliest paddle took place on Saturday March 24th this year.  As my boyfriend, friends and I were fourwheeling, we stopped at a small lake to take a break and have some snacks. It was cold and raining but I spotted a friend's canoe sitting along the shore. I knew they would think I was crazy for wanting to go out on the water in the cold and rain but I could not fight the urge. I flipped over the canoe, set it in the water, hopped in and heard my most favourite sound in the whole wide world: a paddle hitting the water.  That first dip felt so good that I continued to canoe around the lake only to return as wet as the water. It was well worth the chill that sunk into my body--that sound of the paddle hitting the water stayed with me all day.

I went home that day, took out my three kayaks and cleaned them out. I hit the water the next day and have been paddling many times since.

You only live once, but if you live it right, once is enough.