Whitewater Kayaking - Grab a Paddle

Want to stay fit on the road? Looking for a new active getaway? Let Karen Asp, seasoned journalist, fitness professional and travel addict, give you the scoop on how to take a holiday without packing on the pounds.

Photo: abkfenris/Flickr

I'm a huge snowhound, and Vail, Colo., is one of my favorite mountain towns. Yet as much as I love Vail in winter, summer also rocks, as I find on a recent trip. I hike, rock climb and hit the spas, and then I do something on my bucket list: Whitewater kayak.

I'm actually no stranger to kayaking. I sea kayak frequently where I live in Indiana. Whitewater kayaking, however, is foreign to me so I'm psyched to take a one-day intensive beginner class through Alpine Quest Sports. The only requirement? Be athletic and in good shape. No problem, I think.

But they forget to tell me I need guts -- and not just for the rapids. The day starts with training on a lake where I have to master the wet exit. I've got to flip my kayak so I'm submerged underneath and then get out, sliding out like I'm slipping off a pair of tight jeans.

OK, I'm a little freaked out. Which is stupid, considering that I've jumped off a mountain top to tandem paraglide and ziplined with the best of them. Finally, I suck it up and do it. I swallow half the lake, but I live. And I make a vow: I am not going to flip on the big water.

After lunch, we hit the Colorado River where I paddle through four miles of rapids and have an absolute blast. I tackle the rapids like nobody's business, whooping and hollering like a kid. The best part? I don't flip once.

Want to learn whitewater kayaking on your next trip? Check out these companies:

Alpine Quest Sports
Edwards, Colo.
www.alpinequestsports.com

Maine Kayak
Millinocket, Maine
www.mainekayak.com

White Water Learning Center of Georgia
Atlanta, Ga.
www.whitewatergeorgia.com