Comfort Zone…A Rapid Expansion.
by Daniel Housh
The thundering water grabbed a hold of me, ripping me from the safety of our raft. I took a half breath, the surface roar muffled as it pushed, compressed, and pulled…and the deeper I went. My instincts stepped in screaming: “SWIM!” I reached and kicked. It’s working, I’m almost there. Each arm surfaced followed by my head—GASP! Eyes big and open, vision blurred. The roar of the water back. Without a chance to take a second breath, I was sucked back to repeat the cycle. Again, my instincts screamed “SWIM!” Maybe this time I could make it out. GASP! As I was ripped back again, I remembered—like a flash—a moment in rafting guide school “If your being recirculated in a hole and can’t swim out, grab your knees and curl into a ball” I assumed the cannon ball position and the recirculating water spit me out past the hole! I made it back into the raft.
This happened fresh out of whitewater guide school. It was the first time I had been recirculated in a rapid. The river level was running high on the Upper Kern River at about 7,000 cfs. It felt dramatic in the moment to be tossed around in “The Greasy Spoon” hole, a part of Joe’s Diner rapid. I was a bit rattled, but at the same time felt so satisfied—like I had been given a key to unlock the next level. We continued down river all smiles and joy.
Whitewater Rafting Guide school is where my journey shifted from a little bubble I created to widening out socially. When I first heard about it, I was a little apprehensive. I loved recreating on the Kern River but I’m shy. I had some social angst that I had not fully set aside. I grew up in a small, rural area in the Midwest. I was home schooled my entire life, so joining a group school was a big step outside of my comfort zone. But, I did it anyway! I had a major to desire to see and explore deeper sections of the river, to be in remote, wild places that rarely see human pressure.
I thought I was there to learn how to read different features of whitewater and how to navigate them. It turned out I was in for so much more. After swimming a few rapids, I developed a whole new respect for the power of the river. It wasn’t just about running rapids. We had to take the safety involved seriously. To be safe we need to operate as a team. We worked TOGETHER not only to navigate the water, but to provide an enjoyable experience for all. How to give a safety talk, rescuing swimmers, flipping an over turned boat, using a rap kit, loading and unloading boats, first aid, even prepping group lunches (haha)—we did it all together. Guide school was challenging! It was work, but we did it as a team and that was rewarding. The guides teaching the school were prepared, they were outfitted to act (throw bags, knife, whistle, and experience) they taught me how to react in tense situations and to lead with confidence. I connected and made friendships that have led to some once in a life time adventures. I learned to speak up. Guide school helped me find my voice.
After guiding last season, I started to pay more attention to the impact on local waters. The weekends would start and the crowds would appear. Once the crowds left, the trash polluting the river and surrounding area was embarrassing. I started volunteering with organizations doing clean ups and trail restoration. Along the way, I learned more about the Wild and Scenic designation on an upper section of the Kern River. The regulations in place had preserved the true beauty of this river. I discovered FOR had been instrumental in establishing that designation. So I wound up on an email list and followed along with the organization.
One email I received was about River Advocacy Training School (RATS). I was immediately interested. I had gained a deeper sense of how valuable our waters are and had never had a louder voice. If we don’t protect wild places, we could lose these precious moments of connection and growth. But I felt the same reservations coming up again that I had felt before Guide School. Ahh, another group setting and I had no idea what to expect. I took another step outside my comfort zone. The river needs a voice and I wanted to help. I was surprised that my application was accepted! Ok, here we go.
RATS felt like Guide School. It was challenging: sitting in a group of people who you don’t know, expressing how you felt and answering some tough questions. It felt intimidating being surrounded by extremely knowledgeable leaders. I questioned if I belonged there to be receiving what felt like a priceless mentorship. But then we would play games or take a field trip and connect as a group on an entirely different level. We are all just people trying to work for something we believe in. FOR is a group from all walks of life working as a team, building on each other’s strengths. we were being given all the gear and tools needed to find a through line.
Being involved in some campaign work and getting to speak with supporters was a special experience. I found reaching out to people I had never met, difficult at first, but with support from Toby and other RATS, it turned into a fun and rewarding moment. Being plugged in to FOR has kept me current on issues. I really enjoy being able to contribute to an organization that’s making a positive impact. We’re all guides for the future of our water and with our voices combined we can push through this comfort zone and into a sustainable future.