For my first row I went big!

Sara Shoemaker | Colorado River-Crystal Rapid

My husband loves rafting. Me not so much. I know, I know. But I go because he loves it. So in 2014 we got a private permit through the Grand Canyon. And that’s something you can’t pass up so I went. Yes an experience of a lifetime. And I will continue to put in for a permit every year in the hopes to go again.

The group pulled to the right above Crystal Rapid to scout it. A couple rafts and our kayaks went through. We entered the rapid. My husband shouted “hold on we are going to hit the hole”. So I held on. I never talk to him while in the rapids. The raft went through the hole just fine I thought. Then I caught something out the corner of my eye and looked over to see my husband swimming by.

Now I’ve never rowed a boat. May be a few strokes on flat water, but nothing big. The day before when I was in another boat, the rower said she should teach me a few strokes just in case my boatman got pitched, but it just wasn’t the right time.

Well I knew that I had to get on the oars. I knew I had to keep it from going towards the left side. So I jumped on the oars and stroked the best I could, not knowing if I was doing anything right. Well I kept the boat from hitting the wall and upright. So I must have done something right.

The photo was taken seconds before my husband ejected.

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