{"id":14246,"date":"2017-11-19T10:00:35","date_gmt":"2017-11-19T18:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/community.nrs.com\/?p=14246"},"modified":"2022-01-06T10:03:09","modified_gmt":"2022-01-06T18:03:09","slug":"tricks-to-reassure-the-whitewater-worrywart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2017\/11\/19\/tricks-to-reassure-the-whitewater-worrywart\/","title":{"rendered":"Tricks to Reassure the Whitewater Worrywart"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whitewater junkies are infamous for their ability to exaggerate a story, but there are times in any boater\u2019s career when one should make the judgment call to do the opposite.<\/p>\n

We all know unlearning a bad habit\u2014paddling related or not\u2014can be one of the hardest things to do, and telling tall tales can be as tough to break as pulling your head out of the water first when you\u2019re attempting to roll a kayak. However, there are times in life when you must force yourself to downplay an event so as not to scare those people in your life who love you, but don\u2019t love whitewater as much as you do.<\/p>\n

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Photo: Dani Smith<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Whether it\u2019s your mom, significant other, or best friend, everyone has that person who endures the ongoing struggle of being supportive of your sport even though they don\u2019t understand why you want to risk your life every day on the river. Whether you huck huge waterfalls, are a class V raft guide or paddle occasionally in your free time, you’re probably making someone uncomfortable when you do so, and embellishing your stories is just one of the many things that might be making your whitewater career hard on them.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s face it, as much as we paddlers like to think we’re independent vagabonds who don\u2019t want anyone waiting on us to call home at night, there are times in life when we all need that support person to turn to. So, next time you go out paddling, try these simple steps to support those who support you.<\/p>\n

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Pre-paddling:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Plan ahead<\/strong>
\nSometimes the creek comes in and you just have to go, but when you can, try to plan your paddling trips in advance rather than springing them on your worrywart at the eleventh hour\u2014especially if the last minute trip conflicts with other commitments. I\u2019ve learned the hard way that people are much more receptive to paddling trips if you don\u2019t cancel plans with them in order to go boating.<\/p>\n

Provide the details, but not too many<\/strong>
\nDon\u2019t put yourself in a 127-Hours scenario. Let them know where you\u2019re going, who you\u2019re going with, and when you\u2019ll be back. Here\u2019s where the downplaying begins. You\u2019re used to bragging about the level of whitewater you\u2019re about to take on. Just for now, focus on other aspects. Tell them about how beautiful the remote canyon is rather than how challenging it will be to get out if something goes wrong. When it comes to your paddling buddies, leave out the details on how hung over and reckless they are, and highlight their swift water rescue training instead.<\/p>\n

The final text<\/strong>
\nDon\u2019t make it sound too serious with an, \u201cIn case I don\u2019t return, I love you\u201d text, just hit them with a quick informative text to let them know what time you\u2019re leaving, where you\u2019re going, and when you\u2019ll be back.<\/p>\n