I’d like to clear something up. Every time I have mentioned my desire to go paddling to an aussie or an american they always seem to take great offence that I know a word they don’t and insist that I must mean wading. I can assure you I don’t because they are not the same.
I’ve always find it hard to articulate why a lovely frolic splashing around as you dip your feet in the ocean is paddling and not wading. To me wading implies water up to your knees and a lot of effort, not a particularly fun or delightful experience and something that fisherman tend to do. Then today as I inadvertently found myself wading through freezing cold flooded paths as I walked the dogs it hit me. Wading involves shoes. Maybe even those rubber chaps. Unfortunately for me it turned out one of my wellies had a hole and as the water got higher the icy water seeped in leaving me with a very chilly foot. Wading is not an activity you do on purpose for the pure enjoyment of it. It generally has an aim to get somewhere or something.
Chilly feet
Why I was there
Paddling on the other hand is the epitome of joy. We start our training in this British institution young, probably on a day trip to the beach before we’re even able to swim, but lakes are also good locations. We roll up our trousers, hitch our skirts and just go for it. It’s pretty easy, most of you can probably handle it, but it also has an exponential effect on happiness. There’s nothing like splashing through the shallows, feeling the sand moving under your feet to put a smile on your face. I genuinely feel quite sorry for those of you who don’t have a word for it, feel free to use ours :).
Paddling has also been known to attract dolphins…
(also fish, fish attracts dolphins)
Xx
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