Welcome to Gaia! ::

A.) Take the course of least resistance and head for the switchbacks - if that’s where most of the water’s going, that’s where you’re going, too.

Darren was always one to take advice, solicited or otherwise. He did however, take a moment to spare a glance for Hafwen, nodding his head when he spotted her still afloat and fine. He also spotted Cora and chuckled to himself, making a mental note to introduce the two girls to each other at some point soon. He was surprised nothing had happened yet given the camping situation, but - no matter, he'd force them into meeting if need be.

If the thought was to stay where the water was deepest so he didn't grind the bottom of his boat or get his oar stuck into the bottom of the river, then Darren was going to go where most of the water went. he also had no desire to go anywhere near the two boulders that looked like a shortcut after a drop. Sure they might be faster, but with his luck he'd plow into both of them like a pinball and he'd like to avoid a concussion if he could... He'd had enough of those.

He didn't mind taking what looked like the longer way because frankly he wasn't in this to win - he was in it for the experience and to see if he could get to know more of his fellows - since he had poor knowledge in that regard.

B.) Force the hard left onto the large drop - it looks like an adventure, and you’re feeling confident!

“Come closer so I can hit you in the face with my oar,” Marissa said and raised her oar threateningly.

It was very dignified and not at all childish.

Only it was. But she didn't really care.

In any case, it seemed the direction she'd chosen was a bit rocky, and she ended up falling behind before this little trip even really began. Not that she was too terribly invested, mind you. She was here for the experience, and she rather liked being outdoors. The fact that she was hungover was simply unfortunate.

It had absolutely nothing to do with competition, she told herself as she chosen to head toward the drop. It had to do with adventure, which was something that was sorely lacking in her life these days.

Although Marlin's choice sticking towards the left bank had been based on trying to get a hang of what he was supposed to be doing before attempting to try any further, it seemed that his choice to stay left had been a good one with the deep water making for relatively easy paddling as he made his way down river.

Up ahead he could see switchbacks ahead, Finn calling out that they should avoid the rocks. He'd told them that earlier too, at the start of all this - not that Marlin really needed much telling - he had already ruled out the route between the two rocks in spite of the potential shortcut offered, not wanting to pit his meagre skills against something that looked more likely to end with him ended up capsized - that is if he didn't end up just hitting the rocks.

That left his two remaining choices as either following the main channel along towards the upcoming switchbacks or trying to see if he could make for the low ledges that he could see. It was something that for a moment Marlin actually considered, the ledges looked like they might be faster and make for a more intense ride but he missed the window of opportunity and his boat ended up continuing along with the majority of the water as it looked like by default he had just committed himself to the switchbacks.

A.) Take the course of least resistance and head for the switchbacks - if that’s where most of the water’s going, that’s where you’re going, too.

So far so good. Hafwen smiled to herself and then at Darren when he turned to check on her, totally missing the look he sent Cora's way with how focused she was on paddling and steering her own raft at the moment.

She wasn't exactly in the mood for any risk taking given how new she was to this all in all so it was natural that she would let her raft go with the flow and where the water wanted to take her. There might be other routes that would allow her to go faster along this stretch but she wasn't about to tackle them until she had achieved a certain level of competency in this particular activity. Or at least that was how she felt about this all things considered at this point in time.

If you chose..

A.) The switchbacks were a safe bet. It takes a lot of paddling to make the corners just right, but you’re feeling jazzed by your progress. Good job! +1
B.) It takes a lot of work to get between the rocks, but you’re feeling good as you go over the falls- Only to realize your mistake as you get caught in the hydraulic at the bottom. It takes a lot of paddling to break free of the current and get back to the main channel. Oh, and you’re soaked. -1
C.) The ledges kicked up a lot of surf and you’re soaking wet, but they sure got you downhill quickly! +2


"I don't know," said Finn, paddling carefully to keep their boat in place while he watched everyone complete the rapid. He did have to agree with Anabel that everyone who'd chosen the deep water was off to a good start, but there were many in their group who still hadn't learned to err on the side of caution.

"Laney!" he yelled. "Careful!" Actually, all of the boats that had gone between the rocks needed that warning, but most of them looked like they'd done it on purpose.

"I'm going to need to rescue some people at the next rapid, aren't I?" Finn asked Anabel apprehensively. At least, to his knowledge, no one had ever died on this river. Not in normal water levels.

“We’ve got our first big water of the day up ahead,” Finn called to the group as they reconvened at the next stretch of flat river. “It’s not a hard rapid to get through, but it’s a great ride. If you fall out, remember - FEET UP.”



Up ahead, the river narrows as it roars past a huge boulder and over a rocky ridge. Finn, true to his original word, goes on ahead, and you can see him and Anabel as their boat emerges at the far end of the falls, with Finn paddling swiftly to keep his holding pattern. The water is pulling you, so you need to make up your mind - how are you going to tackle this rapid?

You…

A.) Really put your back into it and paddle full-speed ahead, ready to conquer this rapid and make it your b***h. As the water rages around you, you continue to paddle, focused on the prize - the clear water ahead of you.
B.) Are really fond of all your limbs, so you paddle to shore, pick up your raft, and walk.
C.) Decide that you’d better hunker down and go with the flow. You take your paddle out of the water and drift towards the rapid, planning to let the water do all the hard work.
D.) Try really, really hard to keep paddling all the way through the rapid, but it’s just too chaotic! After the first big wave, you feel the current grab you, and you take that as a sign to stop paddling and hold on tight.

Please post your choice at the top of your response post!
You have until MONDAY, MAY 26TH at 9:30 AM PST to make your selection!


Remember, even if you missed a round or two, it's not too late to jump in!

A.) Really put your back into it and paddle full-speed ahead, ready to conquer this rapid and make it your b***h. As the water rages around you, you continue to paddle, focused on the prize - the clear water ahead of you.

So far Darren had been playing it safe, now he felt it was time to actually put his back into it and show these rapids what for. He threw himself into the paddling, trying to to burn through the rapids as best he can. He didn't dare stop for anything, lest he get caught up in the current and get slammed into a rock.

B.) Are really fond of all your limbs, so you paddle to shore, pick up your raft, and walk.

Yep. No. He'd gotten this far. It meant he atleast tried there for no one should judge him. If it calmed down a bit farther down, maybe he'd get back in the water. Maybe

Marlin felt that the going so far had been pretty good, not brilliant - he wasn't going to kid himself - but not terrible either however now the rapids were approaching and he had to make a choice of whether to let the water carry him or to paddle through.

Well it turned out there was a third choice - paddle to shore and walk as it appeared one of the others (Rene) was doing, but that kind of seemed like a cop out option.

Marlin wasn't fond of the idea of leaving himself to the mercy of the river and so he decided to paddle as fast and as hard as he could and keep focused on the water ahead.

It was easier said than done as the current grabbed him after the first big wave and Marlin took it as a cue that it looked like he was just going to have to hang on really, really tightly, whilst knowing he was probably going to end up falling out.