Kayaking the Potomac

By Keith Dougherty

The art of kayaking the Potomac is similar to the art of kayaking the Brandywine, the Mississippi, or any river for that matter. You simply get in and get wet. Now there are those who don't like to sit on the grass or swim with wild bore, but if you are the great outdoors type, kayaking is definitely for you. It contains the scenery of the canoe trip and adds a touch of Greg Louganis on the side. Like canoers, the kayaker paddles, looks at trees, waves to people on the shore, and searchers for wildlife. However, the kayaker enjoys the added opportunity of unexpected dunks into the pool, particularly after hard turns. This feature is especially rewarding for paddlers that feel restricted by motorless craft.

I myself had the opportunity to experience the random swim feature after a hard turn to the right towards one of the canoes. I was on the war path and in hot pursuit of the enemy when I made a hard turn to starboard and broadsided my host. My light craft finished its turn brilliantly only to rear up on its side and hinder the discharge of my smoldering water cannon -- a.k.a. paddle splash. With a quick hike to the left, I was certain that I could recover my craft. But the mighty kayak stood on its haunches and taunted me for several moments. Then suddenly, the not so random event, occurred randomly. I was hurled into the water for my first, and last, majestic Potomac River swim. Believe me, the water is as dirty as it looks in the photos. The swim was no joy ride and I tried to re-board my craft.

Fortunately, the Kayak is a forgiving creature, willing to let its skipper back on deck as soon as he or she capsizes. My colleagues would argue that I swam for hours, but in fact the flat design of my vessel allowed for a five second return to my station. I timed it.

Returning to the captain's chair provides a feeling of comfort and safety from the river's elements. It also allows a diver to regain his or her strength and re-address water foe. Now if only the water could be cleared from the boar of the cannon. ...Ah, just the right way to fill out the day.

Remember though. if you go through a similar unexpected turn on a kayak, avoid reaching out for your paddle. Your paddle is made of the best hydro-tech alloy that Thompson's Boating Center can buy and certainly more buoyant than any skipper. Reaching for the paddle causes users to fall at unexpected angles and endangers the physical safety or you and your water enemies. Such risks are just not worth the cost of maintaining your locomotion. They could put an eye out and are the water's equivalent of "rough housing."

Properly managed, the kayak provides clean, hearty fun. Even if you don't have any experience, you should try a kayak. They're more wholesome than wonder bread.