I could have been a sailor, could have been a cook
A real live lover, could have been a book.
I could have been a signpost, could have been a clock
As simple as a kettle, steady as a rock.
I could be Here and now
I would be, I should be
But how?
I could have been One of these things first
I could have been One of these things first.
- nick drake

On the last day of our Chasing the Ana trip in Puerto Rico, Taino and I road the last wave into the shore. About 20 yard from the shore I held back and waited as Taino paddled onto the beach. Once he was into the shore I followed. Being a native of Puerto Rico I truly felt he deserved that symbolic first. Of course when I saw the trip added to Wikipedia and reported in PR as if I was never there at all, I was a bit put off. Still my partner had nothing to do with those choices and I am happy concede that “first”.

First is not a win, but it is in some ways unique. The first person to complete a task or expedition is not better of course, yet they do face a unique set of circumstances. They will not have a history to reach back to. Paul Caffyn could not call “Paul Caffyn” and ask about the conditions in that out of the way bay. Being first, he had to wing it much more than anyone else who would follow. As each successive person does a journey, more knowledge is gained which those who follow can benefit from. Being first robs you of a certain level of knowledge. In our CTA trip we contacted a variety of people who had paddled sections of the trip. However, there were some areas that no one had done by sea kayak. Fisherman could share information about some sections, yet at times their perspective did not quite relate to the challenges of a sea kayak. Fisherman for example knew very little of landing conditions outside of where their boats could harbor. In sections that were done before us, we had good knowledge of what to expect. Then we can add our experiences on top of past experiences to build a better picture. In sections where we were the first to paddle (well at least in a few hundred years) we can help others not to face some of the errors or problems we faced. (Such as crash landing near Isabela). The first to circumnavigate a lake or island, the first to climb a mountain, the first to do anything will in some sense do something in a way that no one else can quite do the same way. In that sense a first is a distinction.

I’m not convinced that “sex” is any great distinction sea kayaking, being the first woman to do something has had it’s value in encouraging more women to participate. Of course these days we are starting to see woman just be the first “person” to achieve something which to me is a very good sign. Rotem Ron being the first person to circumnavigate Iceland solo or as I mentioned before Jen Keck being the first person from the US to pass the BCU 5* coaching award. We credit their firsts since they were the first to face their unique set of circumstances and succeed. Again, being first is a distinction, not a “win” over others.

Winning is different of course. Winning a race is a competitive first. We give the laurels to the brightest and fastest. Giving credit to the first in a race is simple enough to understand. In kayaking we have plenty of races for competitive paddlers to win. Expedition paddling can again get a bit convoluted here. Sometimes after a trip is done first, the next goal is to do it fastest. That would work of course, IF the paddlers before you actually knew it was a race. I don’t think there is much of a win in being fastest, when you were the only one who thought you were racing. In expeditioning it’s shooting fish in a barrel to beat someone who’s priority was exploration. They were taking their time after all.

Life is not a race. Being first does not make you better than anyone else. It does not belittle those who come next. That said, I don’t think it’s fair to say ‘first’ is meaningless. It is a distinction of which each person can freely determine it’s value. However, it is a distinction none the less.

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