The Lost Art Of Paddling Together
I vividly remember climbing into the canoe and settling into an awkward and immediately uncomfortable kneeling position. Then, Nicky did the same. Holding on to the shore for stability, we search for the balancing point of the boat. A moment later, we use our paddles to push away and out onto the lake.
For a couple of 13 year-olds, paddling a doubles canoe is a novel experiment… and very different from the single-person kayaks we had been paddling at summer camp for the past year.
As we make our way to the center of the lake, a rhythm emerges. My forward strokes with the paddle do not seem so important. What is important is how the doubles canoe feels when our paddles pull through the water together.
And right there, a chord strikes inside of me.
Although I could not fully understand its depth nor its duration, this chord will resurface and strike again in unexpected ways throughout my life.
At the essence of paddling a one-person canoe or kayak are two core tensions:
Human with Nature
Human with Him/Herself
The doubles canoe, also called a C-2, uniquely interrupts these tensions with a different one of its own.
By virtue of paddling a C-2, the team interacts with a third tension — human with another human.
The dynamic of two people in such a boat filters new strengths and enthusiasm into the space… but also new weaknesses and fears. Here, ambition, trust, and respect meet risk, uncertainty, and confrontation.
The exchange and distillation of these forces into action in a C-2 is The Art Of Paddling Together.
Sometimes, this art is joyful. Other times, confusing. Some moments are just excruciating.
The art of paddling together should not be confused with its similar-looking counterpart, Alone Together.
Alone together moves solo interests into closer proximity of each other in favor of increased support and encouragement. This is not inherently a bad thing. Community and connection are present. Think of a group of people who come together to interact with their screens. There is little consequence of adding more — more people, more features, more screens, etc.
This spotlights a key distinction of the art of paddling together:
The process begins with what is subtracted and not with what is added.
When a C-2 pushes out onto the water with this intent, our possessions — our human baggage — remain on shore.
Our frequencies and volumes are more easily cleared.
For these moments, we are temporarily a little lighter and more agile.
And, we are more aware, not only of the first two tensions, but of each other.
Paddle strokes together… the chord strikes.
And those possessions left on shore? They will be reclaimed upon return by slightly changed people.
Of course, the spirit that upholds the art of paddling together transcends two, people, the C-2, and the water. Its roots run deeper than alone together.
Many people want more of the art of paddling together — in their lives and around their lives.
But, the work of creating is not easy. Nor quick. The art of paddling together resists impatience, optimization, or a star-mentality.
There have been many times in my life where I put the C-2 aside in favor of solo pursuits… only for the C-2 to eventually re-appear again in a different form. It arrives unexpectedly. It facilitates an artistic process that evolves, which leads the process to evolve the artists.
Today, I’ll leave my baggage on the shore and climb into the C-2. Then Maria will do the same. We will find the boat’s balancing point and push out onto the Segre River.
I’ll let the art of paddling together move through me. Move through us.
Minimal but essential guide the work. Paddle strokes together.
The chord strikes here.
With gratitude, — Joe
PS — The foundations of The Lost Art Of Paddling Together play out in this wonderful conversation I had recently with Sunday Morning Joe reader and host of Conversations of Excellence, Stella Bida. We dig into several key areas of improvement including self-awareness, small steps forward every day, and the influence of relationships on our life path. Stella’s positive outlook on the pursuit of better is alone worth the listen. You can not help but to be lifted by her optimism. Listen to our conversation → HERE.
Connect with Joe:
5 With Joe Performance Coaching
I coach established and experienced professionals, who feel stuck in place, to thrive in transition and bring focus to what matters most without compromising their lives.
My personal experiences winning an Olympic Gold Medal, serving as CEO of a national sports organization, and my current “Simple, Slower, and Less” lifestyle in the Catalan Pyrenees help to form accountable and transformative collaborations that see my clients create their next and most impactful chapter.
