h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I also am a kayaker - great fun. I have a sea kayak which also goes happily down rivers when it is too windy/rainy here (Perth Western Australia). Haven't tried white water yet although they have something here called the Avon Descent (pronounced A von not Aeevon!) which is a race with rapids etc and looks terrific fun. Our kayaks are touring sea kayaks 15ft long made of fibre glass - probably wouldn't be robust enough for rapids anyway.

I've taken up kayaking this year after a 20 year fear!! I am absolutely loving it, but taking it very slowly on a nice calm part of the Thames here in London... well most of the time it's calm, it has been known to surprise me and throw me out on the odd occasion!! I love the freedom I feel when I'm in that bit of fibre glass, feeling the water against my paddle, feeling my muscles pulling on it as I surge through the water. Excellent!