DRIFTWOOD PADDLE CLUB
FEATURED
PADDLER
“And if I suddenly come across a waterfall, it makes the beauty of nature feel even more special.”
MEET CHINKY
Chinky is the kind of person who brings joy wherever she goes. She jumped into Paddle Club this season and has quickly become a valued part of our crew. Her willingness to try new things, her positive attitude, and her reminder to slow down and take it all in inspire us on and off the water.
the Q&A
HOW DID YOU GET INTO PADDLING?
“I once watched a kayaking video where people were doing rolls, going underwater and coming back up, and I found it really interesting. I shared the video with my husband, and around the same time, luckily, Joshna Didi also found out about your group.
So we thought, why not give kayaking a try? The first time, we went just to try it out casually. We had no idea we would enjoy it so much that we would eventually become members!”
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING OUTDOORS?
“What I enjoy most about being in nature is the peace and calm it gives me. It allows me to slow down and really notice the little things— the colors, the birds, the sounds, and everything happening around me.
And if I suddenly come across a waterfall, it makes the beauty of nature feel even more special. I absolutely love waterfalls, so hearing or seeing one unexpectedly always makes me feel excited.
For me, being in nature is about slowing down, feeling the moment, and enjoying all the little surprises that make it so beautiful.”
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PADDLING MOMENT SO FAR?
“It’s really hard to choose just one favorite moment because when you’re out in nature, there are so many little things that randomly make you think, ‘Wow, this is so beautiful.’
But if I had to share, I would choose two moments. The first was when we were kayaking for the first time and it suddenly started raining. That was such a beautiful experience.
The second was when we went to Carters Lake. Amanda’s husband kept stopping his kayak along the way to pick up things from the water or the side areas. I asked Amanda what he was doing and she told me that he was collecting plastic so it could be recycled…
I really loved that.
I thought it was amazing that you can enjoy nature, and at the same time, do something to help keep it clean.
That was one of the best moments for me.”
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WOULD WANT SOMEONE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
“One thing I would like people to know about me is that I don’t know how to swim, but I still love paddling. I think a lot of beginners feel that if they can’t swim, they can’t try kayaking because they’re afraid of falling into the water.
I used to have that fear too. Even seeing a large amount of water sometimes would make me feel nervous and dizzy. But with a life jacket, proper safety support, and people around you who know what they’re doing, you start feeling more confident.
Kayaking has actually helped me overcome my fear of water little by little. Now I feel much more comfortable around water, and that change in myself is something I’m really happy about. “