My Life in a Classic Kayak (By Ethan)

I have spent a year kayaking. 99% of my teammates are big, strong teenagers, but we get along well. We recently have a new team member named Troy, who is about the same age as me.

I have Coach Aasim as the boss, Krista and Allison are assistant coaches.

My view from the river is nice. Sometimes I see zip-line people soaring across the river and that makes me wish I was on it myself. Or, sometime I smell gloriously scrumptious food that turn my stomach into an inside-out earthquake. Once I saw a shoe and shopping cart (very unusual sights) in the water too.

There are 6 kinds of racing kayaks. The first is the Viper 55, the widest and slowest of the kayaks. Next is the Viper 51, then a Classic which is my present boat, the highest level contents 3 type; Vintage, V2 and V3. The higher the level the narrower the boat is and of course the faster the boat goes.

When the coach told me that I was ready for a Classic I was terrified. I would fall in the water for sure! But I tried it and now I have improved so much that I can coast 4km with a seat in the boat.

One day while on the move to my training I asked my mom: "What if I fell in the river?"
Mom:"Would that be the end of the world?"
Me:"No."
Mom:"Then get out of the water and try again. There is a saying, That does not kill us makes us stronger. It is a quote from a famous German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. You get stronger every time you overcome an obstacle."
After a few minutes I said:"I think that philosopher is kind of right. But for example, I haven't eaten for 3 days and I survived. Then I would be weaker not stronger."
Mom:"You are very correct. At that moment, you will be very weak. However, after you recover, your mind and body will not be afraid of that type of experience and your personal development will be enhanced."

Mom also said that she is always so proud of every drop of my sweat when I try hard at sports.

Mom and coaches have been encouraging me a lot and I think that has helped very much. They make me feel better to go on the river.

At first, being in a Classic was scary, but little by little, I improved. And now I kayak in a Classic with a seat without much problem.

Kayaking is a very, very hard sport. But I have practiced and I am a master of it. Practice makes mastering.