Monday, April 03, 2006
4/03/2006 07:17:00 AM

Do Boys or Do Girls Prefer Kayaking?

posted by Francis Ho


That was what I was wondering when I received an SMS from Livian if I could bring her and 2 kids kayaking; a 9 year old girl (her niece Doe ) and 10 year old boy (her son Dian). Normally I don't bring kids kayaking unless they are 15 years or older but in this case it was a one-to-one (one experienced adult to one child) situation.


But I still needed help with getting the kayaks down from the car and so I asked my kids if anyone of them would give me a hand (with monetary incentive of course); and my daughter KH2o promptly volunteered. So that's one for the girls. The boys would rather stay home glued to their online 'Maple Story', 'Gunz' or whatever.

We arrived earlier than the scheduled 2.30pm and shortly after; Livian, Dian and Doe showed up with Livian explaining that the two kids couldn't wait to try their hand at kayaking. After some short instructions on how to hold and use the paddle; Doe got in with me while Dian got into the same boat as mum. And KH2o was on a single on her own. Dian was 'splashingly' eager to get going and their kayak was soon way ahead of us. Doe was relaxed and smiling as the brisk breeze churned up some small choppy waves on the water. There were a few jet skiers on the water as well creating some further wakes; but Doe maintained her poise and balance.

Doe was a natural and I was pleasantly surprised that she was using the paddle blades in a sculling motion to control the direction of the boat when I stopped paddling. Mind you; that was an advanced paddling stroke! This is the first time I'd seen a beginner did that. When I pulled up to Livian; she explained that Doe was a ‘natural athlete’; she sure was a natural kayaker!

Soon the 2 hour paddle was up and we parted ways.

Later I sent an SMS to Livian : “I trust that the kids enjoyed their kayaking experience. It was wonderful of you to take them”.

Livan SMS me back her reply: “Doe said she will do it again, Dian said no more!”.

Does that answer your question now folks?

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16 Comments:

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  At Monday, 03 April, 2006 Blogger HappySurfer said:

I hear you loud and clear. Good morning, FH2o. Nice post. Hope your w/e was great.

  At Monday, 03 April, 2006 Blogger Francis Ho said:

happysurfer - it was 'busy'; ching ming on sat n kayakin' on sun plus other stuffs thrown in betweens! :)
trust dat yours was great too!

  At Monday, 03 April, 2006 Blogger Robin CHAN said:

hmmm... obviously you are in the wrong sport?

There must be an article somewhere on Ching Ming and kayaking.. let me check.

  At Monday, 03 April, 2006 Blogger gus said:

I guess Dian prefers to paddle his PS2 console, in the comfort of home, rocking in a chair, not a kayak. Hahah. But wait till Doe is old enough to date or hang out with her gang.

  At Monday, 03 April, 2006 Blogger HappySurfer said:

Who knows, Doe and her date or gang might go kayaking - less crowded. haha......

  At Monday, 03 April, 2006 Blogger iml said:

Boys will be boys.

  At Monday, 03 April, 2006 Blogger Cheng Sim said:

omg. i love kayaking and im a girl! i used to do a lot of kayaking during my National Service last year. it was a great experience for first timers but i do got my arms aching after that though. hehehe. KAYAKING ROCKS!

  At Monday, 03 April, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said:

wow, nice pictures! i would love to learn kayakking one day - just ti spice up my life ;)

  At Monday, 03 April, 2006 Blogger Francis Ho said:

cheng sim - another kayaking fan! n that rocks!

laksa - kayaking is more than spicy; it's 'sweet' on the waters too! hop onboard soon! ;)

  At Monday, 03 April, 2006 Blogger Pandabonium said:

Perhaps Dian was speaking from sibling rivalry in which his younger sis bettered him. Probably had a good time anyway.

Or maybe just "to each HER own".

  At Monday, 03 April, 2006 Blogger The Moody Minstrel said:

Cheng Sim said:

"KAYAKING ROCKS!"

I'd call that a very ironic statement. Aren't rocks exactly what you try to avoid while kayaking?

Well, if you're really into that, maybe you should try kayaking the Rogue River in Oregon. It's one of the most popular rivers in the U.S. for whitewater rafting.

  At Tuesday, 04 April, 2006 Blogger Francis Ho said:

moody minstrel - ah! the renown Rogue River; a whitewater kayaker's wet dream!

Mid May to September would be a great time to go provided one can get the permit for private boater unless one join an outfitter.

Have you done the Rogue River yet? I'll be so envious if you had!! The South Fork of the American River would also be nice ... ;)

  At Tuesday, 04 April, 2006 Blogger Chen said:

unker,
how old are u during your first kayaking experience?

  At Tuesday, 04 April, 2006 Blogger Francis Ho said:

chen - i was a 'nerd' n bookworm as a kid and only became more adventurous when I started uni and working.

I learned to swim when I first started working in KL on a challenge (which i won!). I started kayaking (self-taught) when I 'returned' home to Kuching after working overseas in KL, Brunei and Spore. Life's funny somehow! ;)

  At Wednesday, 05 April, 2006 Blogger bonnie said:

that rates a frogma kayak smiley (patent pending) BIG TIME!

. ..O
:D/>
.O

  At Wednesday, 05 April, 2006 Blogger Francis Ho said:

bonnie - i BET that did! :)

Doe was such a dear on the water! She easily rates as the most relaxed person I'd ever taken kayaking.


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