Beatrice’s Paddle

Beatrice is going paddling with her school group. She and Finn meet Ms Wells beside the calm lake. Their kayaks are still on the grass, and everyone is wearing a buoyancy aid. Before they launch, the instructor asks them to help check their equipment.

Finn picks up a paddle from the rack. Beatrice reaches for the one beside it, but one blade is loose. She notices it moving when she lifts it. “This does not feel right,” she says. She places it back on the grass instead of trying to use it.

Ms Wells checks the paddle and takes it out of use. “Thank you for telling me,” she says. Beatrice looks towards the water. The others seem ready to leave, and she worries that the whole group will have to wait because of her.

Finn stays beside her while Ms Wells brings a spare. “We are checking before we go,” he says. “That is part of getting ready.” The instructor chooses a suitable paddle for Beatrice and checks it carefully. Beatrice holds it and waits for the next instruction.

Then Finn cannot find his small water bottle. He checks beside his kayak, but it is not there. Beatrice sees a blue lid near the equipment rack. It is his bottle, standing behind a bag. This time, she can help someone else get ready too.

When Ms Wells is satisfied that the group is ready, she helps them launch in turn. Beatrice follows the instructor onto the calm water near the shore. Her paddle feels steady in her hands. Finn is nearby, and nobody has been left behind on the grass.

They stop together at the place Ms Wells has chosen. Beatrice looks back at the launch area. The short wait seems small from here. She had thought that speaking up would spoil the trip. Now she is glad she told Ms Wells about the loose blade.

Back on shore, Beatrice returns the spare paddle to Ms Wells. Finn puts his bottle safely in his bag. They help carry the equipment to the rack. Beatrice is glad she noticed the problem before they left. The checks helped everyone enjoy the trip.