It was August 1997 on the coast of Maine. A friend and I had signed up for a guided day of sea kayaking with two certified Maine guides at Maine Outfitters. It was our first exposure to the sport.
On the van ride with others to the put-in, Burke, on the left above said: “Some of you may feel a little nervous about going out today. If so, I want you to know I’m retired Navy SEAL. I’m fully trained on, above and below the water.” He wasn’t bragging just stating facts and trying to put all of us at ease with a touch of levity.
Our group of about 10 arrived at the put-in and after some introductory instruction on land we launched and casually paddled in warm coastal water all morning. It was a perfect day, partly sunny, a light breeze and not too warm. We eventually stopped to have lunch on a small island. And afterwards paddled toward the take-out location several miles away. The going was a challenge as a stiff wind that created waves that overrode our bows on occasion slowed our progress.
A senior lady who was very game paddled her own single kayak (the husband had stayed back at the motel) and couldn’t make it against such wind. So Burke, always the consummate leader towed her with seemingly little effort. We paddled on and he said at one point, to no one in particular as he faced the wind, “I like a little chop”. Nothing alternative here - just the facts and their accommodation.
Future kayaking journeys provided many more opportunities to learn facts about people, wind/water/weather, leadership and the joy of being on the water, and on occasion when capsizing, under it.
End