Towering and Deeply Relaxed: Kayaking Through the Canyon on Lake di Santa Giustina

A Guest Contribution by Evi Tscholl

I already knew that the word "kayak" can be read from both left and right before I first climbed into a kayak. However, I learned how important it is not to confuse the two sides when our paddles collided with a loud crash. At home, I looked it up and discovered that the word "kayak" is borrowed from the Inuit language and means "one-man boat."

The stronger person should sit at the back of the kayak, said Martina, who was explaining the essentials for the trip on Lago di Santa Giustina to the nine participants. With the four couples, it quickly became clear that the men would take this spot. After a few minutes, all the kayaks were in the water – the ninth participant along with Martina, our friendly and motivated guide.

While paddling, we soon realized that the rhythm of the person sitting in the front was just as important as the synchronized dipping of the paddles, coordinating steering and braking to avoid crashing into other kayaks – or even the narrow, steep-walled canyon. We tried different techniques: left-right commands, counting, and listening carefully, and soon we found ourselves in a special flow of inhaling and exhaling, gliding over the water. Slowly and steadily. We gazed over the blue-green of the lake, past the apple orchards, towards Castel Cles and the Brenta Dolomites. All the questions or small doubts that had appeared before melted away. Our attention was now entirely focused on the harmonious motion, the feel of the sun and water on our skin, and the splashing and clapping of the paddles.

After about half an hour, we reached the canyon shaped by the Noce River. It grew narrower and narrower. One kayak after another followed Martina. Here, we glided slowly, and it was enough for one person to paddle while the other gazed up at the light green leaves and the gray-green of the fresh branches. A dull thud echoed whenever a kayak bumped into the canyon wall, followed by a smile or a chuckle. The mobile phones, wrapped in plastic cases, were regularly taken out for selfies – or, rather, teamies.

A tree trunk blocked the canyon, preventing us from reaching the very end. Martina informed us that the water level was now worryingly low. This was due to the low rainfall in the spring and the electricity generation from the reservoir, which was inaugurated in 1951.

On the way back, it was not only the two of us but the entire group that had noticeably become a wonderful team. Jokes filled the air, along with relaxed laughter and multilingual chatting. Our shorts and shirts were more or less wet. Our skin, thanks to sunscreen, had a flattering complexion. Our spirits were relaxed and happy. Santa Giustina, who had her hermitage near Dermulo, close to the reservoir, would have been pleased with all of us, as we joyfully enjoyed an unforgettable kayak outing together in a “proper” and “just” way (from Latin iustus).

Photocredits: Hans Isaacson on unsplash