A storm might have derailed our paddling event, but it inspired this beginner paddler

Alice Till is no stranger to trying new things and not letting anything stop her.

An accomplished marathoner, Alice had casually cycled now and then over the years, but it wasn't until her mid-sixties that she learned how to do some serious cycling. At age 67, she completed the famous Sea Gull Century ride in Maryland.

At the encouragement of her friends and teammates, she then went on to learn how to swim in order to complete a triathlon in her hometown of Philadelphia. She came in first in the women’s 70-74 age category. That was nine years ago. 

And then, a couple of weeks ago, the same long-time friends who trained with her for the triathlon invited her to join them for an Alternative Happy Hour paddle on the Potomac River.

“After agreeing to do so in a weak moment, I tried hard to back out,” admitted Alice.

She felt a mixture of looking forward to kayaking with friends but also some pre-event angst and fear of being out on the river for close to two hours. After all, it had been several years since she did the triathlon and a few years since she did any swimming in a pool.

Alice was on the verge of canceling. 

But due to local storm warnings, our paddle event was postponed, giving Alice an extra week to think it over. She talked herself up and her friends Jan and Jacque assured her that one of them would share a tandem kayak with her. 

“My friend Jacque reminded me of the time I paddled in Florida in 2013 during a cycling event and not only survived but enjoyed it!”  

Alice decided to give it a try. It was time for action. The day of the event, the weather was perfect.

She met up with Jan and Jacque at the Key Bridge Boathouse. Since Potomac Conservancy was new to her, she learned a few interesting facts about our clean water work before settling into her kayak. While on the water, she met up with another friend as well as one of her friend’s sons who was on a stand-up paddle board. She was delighted to chat with him while they were both paddling.  

Alice came off the water with the biggest smile and couldn't stop gushing about how much fun she just had. 

“The river conditions were perfect. I got lots of support not just from my friends but also from boathouse staff and Potomac Conservancy staff as I was first getting ready to paddle and then finishing up. I remember the feeling of comfort I felt once I donned my life vest. It was important for me to be prepared to meet challenges like this safely and responsibly,” noted Alice. 

What would she say to those who are on the fence about trying their hand at paddling? 

“I would tell them everything my friends said to encourage me—for example, ‘It’s not hard and you’ll be wearing a life jacket,” or, ‘I’d be happy to be your buddy!’ 

Also, be sure to have the appropriate equipment and go with someone who’s comfortable with paddling. You can even share a kayak with them!” 

Overall, she considers the event a personal success. “I am so glad I did it! As my favorite quote says, ‘You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.’ (C.S. Lewis)” 

“I would absolutely do this again,” said Alice. “And I will make sure to get back in the pool ASAP to work on my swimming.”

Go Alice!

 Alice Till is a retired pharmaceutical scientist and lifelong amateur athlete. She lives in Ballston, VA.

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