One of the joys of paddling are the sounds you hear while on the water. The sound of tidal currents, your paddle in the water, seals, and waterfowl are all sensory experiences worthy of one's attention. Listening to your paddle stroke can help you improve it. Listening for boats can potentially save your life. And I know for some purists (this was even a topic of discussion by the editor in a recent issue of Sea Kayaker magazine) that even the idea of listening to anything other that the natural world is blasphemy.
But sometimes, my interest in paddling is more aligned with a 'work out'. For me, paddling is 'water therapy'. Sometimes, I want to drift, explore, and expand my experience. Other times, I want something more disciplined and energetically-focused. It's times like these when I'm more likely to plug in the earbuds and listen to music. And I'm very particular about what I like to listen to. Arcade Fire, the Flaming Lips, and Sigur Ros are some bands that come to mind. I love their ethereal sound, their tempo changes and find my cadence matching their rhythms. I feel I can paddle a little harder for a little longer. I never have the volume up so high I wouldn't hear the splash of a seal or the roar of a boat. But sometimes it's enjoyable to have a soundtrack to my paddling life. I'm already thinking about tomorrow, sunshine, Dana Passage, and Sigur Ros.
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