Alexis Morrill, Guest Contributor POPLAR, N.C. — On Saturday, March 7, members of the Adventure Team packed up their boats and drove to North Carolina for a quick trip down the Nolichucky River. The team and their instructors paddled 8 miles of class 3-4 rapids in freezing, early March temperatures. While paddling in cold weather may seem crazy to some, it is normal for the team during this time of year. Sophomore Adventure Team member, Matthew Kinkead, said, “I feel like being out in the winter is definitely more challenging. It definitely pushes me out of my comfort zone which, [you] know, has helped me in the long run.” Matt has been on the team since his freshman year and is an avid kayaker. Jim Harrison, Outdoor Program Director on campus, often says the phrase, “It’s all about time in the boat,” and since the program has the technical gear to keep members warm in the winter months, few things will keep them off the water. Harrison said, “Boating in cold water is a part of kayaking… We’re not breaking ice out there.” According to Harrison, every trip is about supporting goals, having fun and staying safe. Having the right gear and knowing how to gauge environmental factors like temperature are important in achieving these things. Saturday’s trip had nearly a one-to-one instructor/student ratio, which balanced skill-building and safety in the rigorous environment. According to Harrison, the team is what’s called an “Affinity Mentor Program,” which is a part of a recruitment initiative for the college. This means that part of being on the team is about having focused instruction from professionals in the sport. According to Harrison, each instructor that went out with students last weekend has specific qualifications in boating and years of experience with people and being on the water, allowing the instructors to be resources that students can learn from. For some students, learning from qualified instructors is a large part of the value of being on the team. Referring to her experience with the team instructors, Gloria Tuttle, a first-year adventure athlete, said, “They’re really supportive. And I know that if I ever have a question or concern, I can go to any one of them, and they will be open and honest with me. They push me to work hard and stay positive, even when I don’t want to.” Ultimately, facing challenging conditions helps outdoor athletes build their skills and grow in their sport. With the support of the leaders in the Outdoor Program, outdoor athletes are able to gain experience to look into future career opportunities. Harrison said, “We do produce instructors and teachers who become coaches and mentors who work in the outdoor field.” Harrison said that unlike other sports, in the outdoor program “there is no bench.” Harrison went on to say, “The adventure team is inclusive in that students and participants do not need experience in hiking, backpacking or climbing. We will teach you how to do those things, but what you do need is a baseline level of fitness, and you really need motivation.”
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