Learning from a Low Key Quarantine | Whitewater Kayaking

2020 has been a crazy time in history, for sure. I hope this finds readers in good health and good spirits. This year has not been an average year on the kayaking front. With stay at home orders for many (at least for some period of time) and nearly all organized events, competitions, and festivals being cancelled it’s challenging to find a sense of normalcy.

I have strived to be a good steward and ambassador by following state and local guidelines. During the early phases of the “lockdown” in my local area kayaking was allowed, thankfully. With the stipulation that you stayed very local to home and observed social distancing guidelines. My wife and I took time to get outside and explore a river right next to our new house. It was class 1 but had plenty of beauty and allowed the ability to attain and maintain paddling fitness.

We felt very blessed to be able to get outside safely in uncrowded areas close to home. We wanted to ensure to keep things very low risk and focus on fitness and safety.

I found it to be very helpful to keep up with at home workouts as well. There are so many bodyweight exercises that can easily be performed at home to build and maintain core and upper body strength which are crucial in kayaking. Cardio is also important to being able to perform your best on the river. Running and biking from the house were staples to achieving and maintaining the level of fitness needed to be ready to hit the rivers again when local guidelines allow.

State and local lockdowns with stay at home orders shook up lives and normal routines. I realized that many of the routines for at home fitness and local exercise used during this time will show continued usefulness after restrictions have been lifted. Life gets busy and sometimes there are many obligations, responsibilities, or other circumstances that can keep us from paddling as much as we want to. I believe it’s important to stay positive and look for ways to improve our physical and mental well-being to be ready for the next adventure.

Until next time – stay safe and happy paddling!

Seth

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