Sea Kayaking Trip

Last week I headed up to Beyond to guest guide a high school co-ed trip from Midland, Michigan. It was quite a group. There were only two guy campers in the whole bunch so I was thankful for my guide partner, this year’s lone first year, Barb. Within a few hours it became pretty clear to me that these girls had no idea what was in store for them, they had no idea how hard it would be. The leaders were relentlessly positive and kept the group afloat with countless rounds of Taylor Swift songs. But the looming clouds and oppressive wind took its toll and eventually the struggle set in.

The second day down the Sechelt Inlet, we could see the first fish farm a few miles off. As we paddle towards it, the green building seemed to never change size. The wind howled into our face, each paddle stroke moved us only a small push forward. To stop paddling meant to actually move backward, away from our camp site and rest. As this was the groups' first day using a new skill, paddling, they all struggled against the wind and waves. One boat in particular, paddled by two younger girls, was having a challenging day.  We approached the fish farm,  and because of boats, garbage bins, and cables are were forced to move away  from shore; to move toward where the wind was stronger. At some point  before the fish farm, my encouraging words lost their luster. All  that could be done was to ask the Lord for strength to make it around the  next point.  There we would find rest and delicious snacks. 

That day, was harder than any of us had planned, it was  frustrating and exhausting, but God is good and God’s strength  sustains.  In five days time the tide had turned completely. I found  myself needing to go full speed ahead to catch those same girls, who  were no longer struggling. They were so deep in conversation they did  not even realize how effortlessly and quickly they were paddling. As sea  kayaking guides, we frequently say the trip is about our journey, not  our destination. We have no summits, no cruxes, our routes can be seen  for miles, and our view stays at sea level. However, through the journey  each person changes. They learn the small changes to a paddle stroke  that make a large difference, they grow in their relationships with one  another, and most importantly they, we, learn to trust the Lord for  endurance against the wind and the waves. Water can take rough granite  and make it smooth as glass, but it takes time, as does our journey to  become more Christ-like.

Marshall Potter was a second-year sea kayaking guide and assistant to  the operations manager for the 2010 summer.  We’re glad he was able to  join us again for a trip this summer.