This past weekend, I was unable to attend the lawn bowling field trip because I was in Byron Bay. However, my weekend getaway did not stop me from participating in a very important Australian sport – kayaking. According to the official Australian canoeing and kayaking website, kayaking boomed in popularity in the 1970s as better materials were introduced to make more advanced boats. Australians excelled in canoeing and kayak races in Olympic games throughout the eighties and official canoeing clubs sprouted up in every state of Australia.
Canoeing and kayaking are probably such popular sports in Australia because they take place in the water, which is where the majority of the Australian population resides. The sports make for great leisure activities and are another excellent way to get in touch with the ocean as well. In Byron Bay, there were two major kayaking companies who offered two trips daily, and both trips were pretty booked.
On our trip out, we paddled over reefs and along with the dolphins. Taking in my surroundings, I was surprised to see how far I paddled out. I’ve never been so far out to sea in such a small boat by myself before. It was pretty challenging trying to overcome the waves and the currents, but the entire experience itself was very empowering. I felt meek sitting in a small boat in an enormous ocean, yet I also felt very adventurous and free. These emotions definitely made me realize that kayaking and canoeing precisely capture the Australian spirit, as every good Australian likes to feel bold and limitless.
History. (n.d.). Australian Canoeing. Retrieved March 29, 2011, from http://www.canoe.org.au/?Page=1512&MenuID=AC_Information/93/0/,Who_is_Australian_Canoeing%3F/68/1513/0,Australian_Canoeing_History/69/0/
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