A Short Story
Go With A Guide
It is a beautiful day at the beach. Bright, sunny. Hardly a cloud in the sky. The turquoise water glistens. A rental kayak sits before you, loaded with snorkel gear. A tiny Cayo (island) beckons just a short distance away.
You and your partner launch yourselves from the beach, and with a few strokes, the two of you are on your way. It is your 'maiden voyage' on a kayak, and you seem to be doing fine. Except, for some reason, your boat is drifting in the wrong direction...
You are doing fine, so it must be your partner. You offer some direction, but they don't seem to listen and you keep heading off target. Again, your instructions are ignored and they seem to have their own opinion on how to operate this kayak!
A short argument ensues, but it is minor and you've had worse. Besides, the Cayo is getting closer. A small, sandy-looking beach seems like a good place to make landfall. With a few powerful strokes, you prepare to land, and...
*CRRRRRRCCKK!* ...the bottom of the boat grinds against some jagged coral near the shore, bringing the kayak to a halt. It's stuck, so you, the braver of the two, hop out and pull the boat to shore. *Crunch, crunch, crunch* goes the coral as you bring the kayak to the beach, earning a small cut on your foot for your trouble.
After a short while, you are geared up, though not without cursing your mask for not adjusting the way you want. But, finally! You enter the water and start swimming out. It's shallow, you see plenty of rocks, some grass, lots of sand and... not much else. You heard there was good snorkeling here, so you keep going.
The two of you head into deeper waters, where you see sand and rocks and not... Wait! A fish! A yellow one with stripes, and then another! This one is orange-ish. You look for more, but your mask keeps fogging up and you are spending lots of energy against the steady current.
About twenty minutes and several fish later (including a yellow-blue one and a spotted one) you figure it is time to head back... (You are paying by the hour, after all!) The return swim is easier, and you are starting to enjoy yourself when...
*MMMMMMMFFFFGGGG!* ...comes the sound from your partner's snorkel. What's happened, you wonder as they tear off their mask in obvious pain. Their arm looks to be covered in a string of long welts, and a small jellyfish swims away, unnoticed. Time to go, as you make haste back to the boat.
Only then do you notice that the other's mask was dropped after the sting, but there are more important things to do. You load up the kayak and drag it across the coral, *Crunch, crunch, crunch* with another few cuts on your feet...
You're off, and the return paddle is easier. The two of you finally develop a rhythm not far from shore. You land, and the smiling kayak renter is there to show you where to carry your boat...
Maybe it was not the best time, but at least you saved a few bucks!
In Summary:
- Guides help with instructions and technique for using all equipment
- Guides help keep you comfortable by choosing the best conditions
- Guides help you stay safe by avoiding dangerous natural hazards
- Guides help preserve animal and plant life from accidental harm
- Guides are well prepared for emergencies and can treat injuries
- Guides are able to prevent damage and repair gear and kayaks
- Guides are knowledgeable and ready to identify natural species
- Guides are informative about many areas of Vieques Island
