{"id":3259,"date":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1millionbestdownloads.com\/fitness-rock-your-boat-learn-to-love-kayaking\/"},"modified":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","slug":"fitness-rock-your-boat-learn-to-love-kayaking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1millionbestdownloads.com\/fitness-rock-your-boat-learn-to-love-kayaking\/","title":{"rendered":"Rock Your Boat: Learn to Love Kayaking"},"content":{"rendered":"

Taking the plunge, <\/em>contributing editor Christie Aschwanden shares her first kayaking experience.<\/em><\/p>\n

I don't like water. The very thought of being adrift on top of it terrifies me. But so many of my friends have become passionately devoted to kayaking that I finally decided to find out why. I booked a trip to Washington's San Juan Islands—quite a distance from where I live in Colorado, so I couldn't just give up and go home. Besides, the notion of paddling among seals and whales seemed enticing … at the time.<\/p>\n

Now, though, standing on the beach in a storm, with a cold wind and sheets of rain whipping around me, I realize that I've chosen a bad day for my first kayaking adventure. My inner voice is chanting, "I told you so. I told you so."<\/p>\n

But my instructor, Allan Willis of Discovery Sea Kayaks<\/a>, is a man with a plan. He takes me to a calm oasis in an inlet called Smallpox Bay. I'm grateful, but can't help wondering if I really want to get anywhere near a body of water named after a disease. I try to adopt Willis' easy attitude as I don a waterproof "drysuit" to keep me warm and a life vest to keep me afloat in case I (gulp) tip. With the kayak still halfway on the beach, I get in and adjust the seat to a comfortable position. Willis shows me how to hold the paddle, and we push ourselves forward into the water.<\/p>\n

Ferocious waves slap at the mouth of the bay, and we stay close to the shore, which suits me fine. Then Willis insists that I confront my worst fear: capsizing. The notion of going overboard frightens me, but Willis assures me that it will boost my confidence. He demonstrates, purposely tipping his boat and then gracefully climbing back in. I take a deep breath, then spill into the water. Thanks to my trusty life vest, I quickly pop back up next to my still-upright kayak. He's right: Falling out is no big deal. But when I try to pull myself back into the boat, it shoots out from under me. After a couple of tries, Willis suggests I swim to the back of the boat, pull down on the end so I can get it beneath me, straddle it, and slide forward to the cockpit. To my surprise, it works.<\/p>\n

Next, he teaches me the basic forward stroke: inserting the blade into the water at the front of the boat and pulling straight back. My arms quickly tire, until Willis tells me I can gain more power with less strain by using my ab muscles and twisting my torso like a wind-up spring. I try it, and the pressure on my arms immediately lightens. It's like I've discovered an extra gear.<\/p>\n

I then learn to turn the boat by taking the blade in a giant arcing motion and gently tilting my hips in the direction opposite the way I want to go. I realize I'm actually having fun as I rotate in circle after circle.<\/p>\n

I make it through my first lesson intact, but I want more. So the next day, armed with nice weather and new confidence, I head out for a sightseeing tour with kayaking outfitter San Juan Safaris. Paddling in the shadow of snowcapped peaks alongside picturesque islands, I finally begin to understand why my friends are so passionate about this. Life feels different on the water. As if to punctuate my newfound appreciation, a harbor seal swims up to my boat and stops, head cocked, eyes fixed on me. We gaze at each other for several moments before he disappears back into the deep.<\/p>\n

What's in it for you<\/strong>
Kayaking burns an impressive 340 calories per hour (based on a 150-pound person) while toning your back, shoulders, arms, and abs. (Read how kayaking compares with other water workouts.)<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"