Girlfriend to professional kayaker Chris Gragtmans wrote an article on How to Date a Kayaker and literally hit almost every point, but I thought it would be fun to add a few points of my own....dating one of this boys is an art form y'all.
1. Learn to love hanging out with a bunch of guys. There have been plenty of times where our house is filled with boys getting ready to head out or just getting back from boating. They come in and start talking about water levels or the best "boof" or line to follow down the river. Or on a return hang out you hear all about who swam or had the worst lines of the day.
2. Get to know other kayakers girlfriends/wives. They'll be your saving grace on kayaking trips or at festivals. Majority of them won't kayak so they'll be there with you to watch the boys and hang out with while they're out on the river. Most of my closest girlfriends that I've met while living up here have all come from dating other kayakers.
3. Know the lingo. Chris' girlfriend hits on this point but it's so true. Understand that a booty-beer is disgusting and stems from a swin, know that "boof" comes from the sound a boat makes when it hits the water, know what a splat is, and know the difference between a creek boat, play-boat and long boat. Also get to know which river is which.
4. Know how to tie a boat onto your roof rack. I still haven't mastered this but I'm working on it. Michael uses this fancy knot that I'm still trying to learn, so usually I stand there and make sure the boat doesn't fall off. There was one time that I had Michael's boats on my car and the knot came loose and I thought for sure it was going to fall off and I had no clue how to tighten it.
5. Enjoy kayaking festivals. I've only been to three, Ocoee Fest , Tuckfest and GAF, but all were really fun experiences. People come from all over, even if they don't kayak. Everyone is so friendly and something is always going on. Concerts, venders, craft beers and people who are just out to have a good time. And I love that we can always bring Pax along with us.
6. Get used to not hearing from them. They either don't have cell service, their phone is dead or they could honestly care less about checking it because they're so hyped up for the river. I used to struggle with this and sometimes still do because I'm a worrier but I trust the guys Michael boats with and know they're just out having fun.
7. Appreciate the Green Race. And the awful hike down into the gorge that kicks my butt every year.
I love the kayaking community and the friends that Michael has made from it. They are some of the nicest most genuine people you come across and are all so laid back and just enjoy life as it comes. Dating a kayaker can be hard sometimes with the spontaneous trips and lack of communication at times but I would trade it for anything in the world.