First off, do you know what a Bellyak is?! Yes? No? Maybe so?
These are Bellyaks! You use them to become a fish in the water!
Now I’ll tell you the story of how I became that fish!
As we drove to the Lower Nolichucky River in Tennessee to begin our adventure of learning the skills to Bellyak, I couldn’t help but wonder what this day had in store for me. I’m more of a mountain girl than a river lassie; I haven’t had much experience with water sports, let alone whitewater. Although, I have been an expert at cruising down a slow river with a beer in one hand, sunscreen in the other for years. When we arrived at our take off spot, we had a lesson on white water safety and held a short meeting to discuss the basics of river reading.
We used this time to introduce the crew by saying why we are here and why we want to learn how to Bellyak. What do we want to receive out of this clinic and what our future Bellyak plans are? When it’s my turn to share I explain my reason as since I moved to Asheville I have always been curious about the rivers around the area. It seems to be a big part of the community here, from rafting, tubing, Kayaking, paddle boarding, and Bellyaking, you will most likely pass plenty of vehicles on the highway with a boat strapped on top. Seeing this, I’ve always had this dreamy feeling of that being the ultimate freedom. How relaxing it must be to just get out on the river with nothing around you but nature. With this feeling in my heart already and the progression clinic being introduced to me from a good friend, Jamie MacLeod.
I knew this was my chance to get out on the water. I knew this opportunity to learn the sport offered an even bigger advantage, which is to learn from the best in the business.
Adam Masters is a bright and talented individual, someone who can always put a smile on your face. He is the founder of Bellyak along side Jamie MacLeod, a long time water lover, and Bellyak pro. I knew I was in for the best training possible! The first day went just as I imagined, being out on the river is a wild and amazing adventure. Especially on these boats, with a view you cannot beat as you go down the river head first, using your upper body to maneuver through the water, you sort of glide down the river.
What I learned from the first day was to beat the fear. I had no experience in anything water. I had a lot of fear when it came to the rapids no matter how big or small (though not that big on this mellow river, it still seemed like huge waves to me). The rocks seemed like boulders that I kept picturing myself getting to know too well. I was a bit timid and holding on to my boat most of the time. Then as the day went on I loosened up, feeling more comfortable (Thank goodness).
Here we are, almost to the end of the lesson where our take out spot is, and to get out we must go through a class three rapid. As we get closer I become more and more nervous. I follow behind Adam to the rapid and I keep reminding myself I must face my fears to get to the end. Going through the rapid I catch an edge on my Bellyak and BAM. What I have been dreading is now happening; I am being washed all over the rapid, not able to take control. I have my feet up to avoid getting a foot caught in the rocks underneath (just learned this!) and with the Bellyak in hand the current is taking me down this rough road. Finally, as the water calms down I can regain my composure to get back on as I’m pushed into a swirling eddy (an obstruction in the river usually after a big rock in the river) and I am surrounded by rocks. Adam is here by my side trying to help me get back to the rest of the crew a little further down stream. I am unable paddle my way out of the forceful whirlpool, so I get on Adam’s boat and he paddled us out! YAY Adam, haha. Returning to the group, I am a bit shaken up but other than that, completely fine. I realize as we go on that facing that fear might have been the best thing for me. Being terrified to fall off is not a helpful thought and being able to let go of that fear is a big part to learning something new. There will be times you fall off of your Bellyak and learning what to do when that happens is crucial to moving on to bigger waters. I would conclude this day to facing the fear.
