This last winter we met Melissa on a MeetUp.com Christmas Caroling paddle. It was her first time in a kayak. In talks we had after paddling it became apparent that she wanted to learn to be an experienced paddler and had a basic road-map of how she was going to get there already laid out.

Melissa has agreed to let us follow her through this process by writing a blog on the Sea Kayaker website. Our editor has written a follow-up to her first open water experience.

We are hoping this blog and comments will be of interest to experienced paddlers and a resource for those wondering what experiences a beginner goes through to become competent.

I invite you to check out her blog at http://www.seakayakermag.com/blog/

Michael