Check out the difference between these two photos (which I bought, by the way – I know they say ‘proof’, but that’s because I ended up ordering the print version and rather than wait for the prints to arrive I just took screenshots from the Riverbooty proof page for this post.)

Anyway, here’s Steve Worcester, long-time kayaker and all around nice guy.  What cracks me up is that he has this expression on his face in every single photo.

And here’s me, looking just a tad more serious.  Actually, looking like someone with enormous, pressing concerns.  And yes, I have this expression on my face in every single photo.

OK, I think by this time I had already rolled twice in this rapid and was quickly figuring out that, rather than being a much better boater like I thought I was the previous weekend when I was trying out the Wavesport Fuse, I was pretty much the same boater and had better be prepared to spend some quality time upside down that day in the Jackson 2Fun.  It was a bit of a shock.

Regardless, I’m looking forward to the day when my skills and confidence have improved enough that I can go through rapids looking a little more like Steve W. and a little less like, well, me.   But I still always have a blast – and on the plus side, I’m getting to know some of the underwater routes quite well.