Outdoorsmen enjoy Idaho wilderness
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xcitement 101. Although no class carried that title, nearly 60 students enrolled in an Outdoor Programs kayaking series faced a thrill a minute as they paddled their way down wilderness rivers. "We tell them that kayaking is the most exciting thing they can do here during a semester," said Michael Beiser, assistant Outdoor Programs coordinator. "A lot of people's perception of kayaking is of danger- forcing youself to your limits," he said. "But, we try to talk about the sport in terms of control and safety." For $60, students
received instructional lectures, an indoor practice session, and a weekend trip in the Idaho wilderness. According to Beiser, separate groups of 10 traveled three hours to the Lower Salmon River for some "very wet weekends." "The most difficult thing is trying to teach people to relax and overcome their fears," Beiser said. "We've intentionally created what we feel is a very safe trip. But people have anxieties about even getting on a very flat river," be said. Once on the river, Beiser said he works overtime
W racticing In the Swim
to help students stay relaxed. "In a panic situation when a kayaker flips on the rapids, things can get a little tense," he said. "So I paddle up to them and calmly smile, saying, 'you did really well now get back in your boat."' Student river guides also floated beside beginners to help them adjust to kayaking. After six hours on the river, the group spent the evening in a secluded campground. "Its some of the nicest wilderness in the immediate area. Learning to kayack on it is like icing on the cake," he said.
rc;1 tudent
guides taught proper kayaking techniques. Instructors from other northwestern universities liked the Moscow' s program so well that they called Idaho " Kayak U." (Moore)
L!:J Center, students learned \..!!J peers to control kayaks on calm waters before floating down wil derness rivers. Instructors taught proper "rolling" techniques. (Moore)
Outdoor Programs
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