Cape Fear River | mahanaimadventures.com

Team Building and Fear of the Unknown.

Over this past year Mahanaim Adventures, had the opportunity to take several different groups on either a kayak or on a high ropes team building event. (The high ropes course is called COPE and the elements are the challenges on each COPE course) Our events are designed to challenge each person and group to learn new skilled needed in successful team work. As a COPE Course facilitator, one of the cool things I get to witness is how these folks with different prospective and backgrounds learn to come together as a team and solving some difficult challenges/elements. To see learning taking place while having fun is really cool.

Our team building adventures, especially those that involve a COPE Course, challenges each person to learn new things but also to deal with known truth and overcome their fears. This is especially true when each group walk the COPE Course and see the elements of the course for the very first time. I have to admit myself that the first time saw the elements on my first course I was a bit scared.

I remember that these elements looked like fun, but I began to think what had I gotten myself and those who worked for me into. You see, I had planned a team building adventure for those who reported to me when I working at UNCW. At that time, our department had some radical changes forced on us and I really needed to challenge them to come together. I knew at the time it was going to be hard work to deal with these forced changes and I know we had to do this as a team and no one person could do this themselves. So I signed myself and my staff up for a COPE Course offered by the university.

When we got there that morning, I had not realized that it would be so challenging and I would have to deal with my fear of heights. That morning I was forced to deal and act on what I knew to be true and to place my fear aside to help my team accomplish our goals. In other words, I had to put my faith in what I had learned and knew was truth into action. I was reminded that Faith is not faith at all, if that faith is not put into action. This is the same no matter who you are. You see, I had to act on what I knew to be TRUE and not let my feelings seize the moment. Once I did that, I not only was I able to help lead my team through some challenge events, but I also realized something else.

That something else is what I call the excitement of real life. The fun of accomplishing something that earlier some of us had said, “Yea, right, I’m not doing that”. This was something that we had learned together. We learned that even though something may be hard and scary, we can act on what we know to be true and move forward. When we learn to do this, the challenge is still the same, but we learn we can overcome by working together, using each other strengths and having fun at the same time. We learned that stepping out in faith does not get any easier time goes by, because challenges are constantly being through at us in Life. Yet, those lessons learned on the high ropes course that morning helps each of us keep focusing on what is True and Right.

Where are you being challenged at today? What Truth do you need to focus on so that you can take a step of faith and accomplish what scary challenge lies before you?

How to Choose A Kayaking Paddle

I often get asked about how I choose a paddle for kayaking or what the difference between this paddle and another paddle is. So, I figured that we would spend some time talking about paddles in this blog.

Kayak paddles vary in styles for the different kind of water you will be paddling. Usually, the shorter the paddle the better is for quick stroked needed in swift water and the longer the paddle, the better for touring and for longer boats. Also a longer paddle is needed for a wider boat. Also one thing to consider on a paddle is the weight of the paddle, especially if you paddle for long periods of time. Always remember, the lighter the paddle the better, but the lighter the paddle, the more expensive the

When selecting a paddle, the most important thing to consider is the comfort of the paddle in your hands. The better paddles have an oval shaft that provide better control and comfort and will help you get the correct angel. A lot of kayakers have straight shafts paddles, but there are a few designs that are bent at the grips to ease the strain on the wrists.

The length of the paddle will be determined by several factors like; type of water you will be paddling, the width of your kayak, you size and length of the blades on your paddle and your preference. The majority of the paddles we use with our tours are between 210 and 230 centimeters long. The general rule of thumb for choosing a paddle is to hold the paddle over your head horizontally. With your elbows at a 90 degree angle, you hands should be 6 to 8 inches from the blades of your paddle.

Now for the blades of your paddle; if you have not noticed the blades of the paddle come in various designs. The larger the blade, the more power you will get out of your stroke; the smaller the blade, the less power per stroke and thereby more gentle to your arms and shoulder joints. Most blades are spooned for increase water resistance, helping with a more powerful stroke. Also, some blades are asymmetrical. This design is for balance of the force on the top and bottom of the blade when paddling and for angle placement in the water.

One last thing about paddles, you have choice between a single and two piece paddles. I would recommend a two piece paddle. The reason or this is that you can choose the angle of your paddle with these paddles. For beginners, it is usually better to have your blades parallel with each other; then as you become for comfortable with kayaking you can then angle the paddle for feathering of your paddle in the water. Feathering is important for longer distance paddling, especially if you are paddling into the wind for long distances.

Join Mahanaim Adventure for one of our upcoming kayaking adventures or why not schedule a private kayaking adventure for you and your family or friends. We even offer Team Building Kayaking Events.

Campfires and Smores?

Last Friday evening, I had the privilege of leading a group of people from Brunswick Forest on a moon light kayaking adventure on Town Creek. The evening was almost perfect; except for a few thin high clouds that tried to cover the moon. It was about 30 minutes before the sun set when we stopped for dinner on the river for a picnic and camp fire. We had been paddling for about 90 minutes and everyone was starting to get hungry. So while everyone was starting to enjoy their picnic dinners, I got a nice warm campfire started. In just a few minutes, the fire was blazing away, casting its glow around the area and creating a wonderful warm feeling for everyone there.

It was almost instantly happened; once the fire was started everyone sat down on the bench or on one of the picnic blankets that were around the fire; when everyone stated sharing memories about their going up and campfires. It was so cool to sit back and watch everyone relax and enjoy the warm fire as the sun was setting to our west and share with each other. Stories about campfires they remembered as kids; the fun of roasting marshmallows and making s’mores. It seemed to me that all of these memories shared a common theme; family and fun. Someone shared that in her family, they would go to the family farm this all 6 of her brothers and sisters. As she talked about that, I could see the fun they had in her eyes and hear it in her voice. I shared about how my grandmother took candles and show me and a friend how to roast a marshmallow, while it was storming outside the house. For all I know the power could have been knocked out at the time, but I don’t remember that, I just remember how our little fire changed an evening into something fun.

Soon, it was time for us to pack up, put out the fire and paddle back home by the full moon light that shown in the river. What an adventure the evening was for us all. I am sure that the paddle back to the kayak launch was memorable for each of them. But I am also confident that the time shared with new friends sitting around a campfire; roasting marshmallows and making s’mores will be a memory that these people hold onto. These people not only connected with something they remembered from their childhood, when things were simpler in their lives. But they also connected with each other, building important relationships. I don’t know about you, but I need this myself; what about you?

Mahanaim Adventures offers guided kayaking adventures in the Wilmington, Carolina Beach areas as well as the Cape Fear Region. We specialize in creating that memory of a life time for you and your family and friends. Check out our web page and find out more details about all of our adventure locations.

Gloomy Days May Not Be So Bad?

The past Saturday evening was one of those unexpected evenings. The day started out overcast and in some ways very gloomy. You know the type of mornings I am talking about; the ones where it just seems that it could just start drizzling and drizzle all day long. It seemed to be a perfect day to stay inside with a good book and read all day long. Yet for some folks, there is beauty to be found in the outdoors on a day like that. Besides, it was a welcome change to be out kayaking on a day that was very cool by comparison to most of the summer.

I have often spoken about how much I like to take a hike or even to talk a walk in the rain. (I must admit, I get some strange looks, but that is OK.) It seems that the forest takes on a different feel when you are walking through it in the raining. When you do this often enough, you begin to see the forest in a different way. Then when the sun does decide to make its appearance, wow, words cannot describe the beauty of the forest at that moment.

This past Saturday evening was like one of those days. That afternoon, Joseph and I meet a group of co-workers from a local business at River Road Park for a sunset kayaking adventure on the Cape Fear River. The day was still overcast and the hope for the skis to clear for a sunset was starting to look like it would not happen. Despite the fact that it was a cloudy and cool afternoon, these co-workers were excited about having some kayaking fun.

We started out paddling along Keg Island, when I noticed that the weather was beginning to change. Joseph, spotted some rain to the southwest and northeast of us, yet there was a glimpse of some clearing to the west and northwest. I am not sure that our guests were even aware of this; they were having too much fun being out of the office and doing something fun together. Yet there it was a break in the clouds.

After about an hour of paddling, we stopped on Keg Island for the picnic and before you know it, there was the sun! Shining brightly as only the sun can, reflecting off the almost mirror like water of the early evening. It is amazing how intense the sun can be reflecting off still water. But what a treat it was to be in such a beautiful place, just at the right time to witness a stunning sunset. As I was watching this sunset as we paddled back to the river launch, I was struck by the fact that we were the only people out kayaking that evening. Why was this? Maybe it was because of the overcast skies from earlier in the day? Maybe people did not want to risk, getting out and exploring something if the weather is not just perfect. If that is the case, they have missed a masterpiece of a sunset.

I guess the point I am trying to make is this; don’t be afraid to step out and do something outdoors if the weather is not what you think it should be. You never know when things will change and you have a chance to be in the right place at the right time to witness something that few people ever do. If these co-works had let what they saw keep them from getting out that evening, they would have never had this experience of last Saturday’s sunset.

Mahanaim Adventures offers guided kayaking adventures in the Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach areas as well as the Cape Fear Region (Cape Fear River, Town Creek, Holly Shelter Creek, Eagle Island, Black River, Lumber River, Moores Creek and much more). We specialize in creating that memory of a life time for you and your family and friends. Check out our web page and find out more details about all of our adventure locations.