Ocean Kayaking: A Surreal Adventure

"Hey, my new Ray Bans stayed on, even after we capsized the kayak - cool!"
This seems very lucky as Hans and Franz cautioned against wearing sunglasses into the oncoming breakers. Maya and I entered the kayak no problem, bottom first, as instructed. We immediately paddled into the first wave. I carefully put the nose of the boat straight into the wave so we could slice our way through. The blue monster broke on top of us. We were wet, but still in the little orange kayak. The second big wave was a different story. The last one had rocked us sideways and it was a good laugh. This baby is twice the size and... "Maya paddle fast!"

(Have you ever had you life move passed you in slow motion? You can think crystal clear but react in slow motion.) The wave hit and I am sent heels over head into the cool salt water. After my brief submersion, I surface and look for Maya. She's OK. Without worry, I snatch the two oars and hand them to Maya. "Hold these and wait here." I swim after my little orange friend as the surf tries to return the kayak to shore. "Whoa there girl!" I throw myself on the hard underbelly of the kayak. Reaching forward I pull up on the middle outer edge as I push down on the inner edge and voilá, she's upright. As I throw myself into the seat, I undershoot as the next wave hits and I splash in the surf on the far side of the boat. "Maya, let me hold the oars. You first this time." Maya does a great job of finding her seat. I'm in and we're off into the next onslaught of waves.

Maya and I finally reach the "meeting place" where the other kayaks have gathered in a loose circle, like poorly thrown horseshoes. We wait. My mind is racing with wild thoughts about what happened to Michelle and Skylar. Our guide finally arrives and informs us that they turned back and will meet us later on the beach for morning tea. So, we set off to kayak in the open sea.

This is a new and exhilarating experience for me and Maya. It also proves to be a great math lesson, as Maya will never forget the difference in meeting a wave parallel or perpendicular. It is best to always meet large, white-capped ocean swells head on in a perpendicular fashion. We are now singing, "Rock the boat, don't rock the boat baby. Rock the boat, don't tip the boat over...." It has a calming effect and improves our stroke rhythm. Feeling a new sense of confidence and common sense, I relax my white-knuckle grip on the paddle long enough to place my new Ray Bans in my life vest pocket. It was at this very moment I remembered that my new Canon 800 IS camera was in my shirt pocket. I think to myself, it must be fine. It's in a double zip, Ziploc bag and I was only under water for a few seconds...twice. I'll check it later.

"Hey Maya, do you see those really big waves? Don't stop paddling!" It's interesting facing giant waves, as long as they don't break on top of you and you take them head on, you stay right side up. If the wave is really big, when you first clear it, the front of the boat drops and slaps the water with a bum-numbing thud, as if someone pulled a chair out from under you just as you were sitting down. Maya is not too thrilled with this part of the ride. It could be worse, we could capsize again. Our guide just paddles off and seems to hope that all is well.

It is then that we see Bertha, the monster of all waves. She is to waves what Jaws is to sharks. I summon my best Ahab courage and paddle little orange toward Moby Dick.

A crashing sound and spinning underwater is all I remember. The next thing I know, my eyes are on fire with saltwater and we are high above a blue whale. "She saved us!" We are gently placed in our boat and guided to the magic dolphin place. Palm trees shade us from the sun as Flipper and family bring us fruit punch with tiny umbrellas, potato salad and baby dolphins to hug.

"Phew!" I exhale and climb into the boat. "That was a close one."

The ride back to shore is much better. Maya and I learn how to surf our kayak on the waves. The wave comes from behind, "Paddle fast!" The boat rises and moves swiftly, wind in your hair, this is fun, the drop is gentle. Finally our last rest break before the mad sprint to the beach. We are the only ones not to capsize during the ride in.

Skylar ran across the beach to hug us and share her story of capsizing. Michelle arrived next and asked, "Did you see dolphins? Did you get any pictures?" It is only then that I remembered the camera and reached into my pocket. Stretching my arm before me, I unwrapped the camera to see it floating in a mere centimeter of terminal, salty brine. As we contemplate how to revive the Canon, the guide approaches and says, "Hey mate, we have a dolphin guarantee. Since we didn't see them today, you can have a go again tomorrow."