Hello to my favorite Reddit community, just a fellow lurker here hungry for information and tricks of the trade. Feel free to skip down to the star if you don't want to hear me ramble ;).

A little bit about myself. I live in the southeast, I'm 25, paddling is the best, and I want to be the best. I know that I'm on a long winding road, but I have finally found something that I plan on doing all my life and giving it my all. My skill level currently disatifies me, even though to me, any day on the river is a good day, and I know I won't be plunging into the Narrows overnight, I have firm respect for the water and I want to expedite my skills and hone them into success and conquer the greatest waters of this beautiful world.

I'm not sure what skill level one would qualify me as... it's been a little over a year since I picked up my baby (Riot Magnum), albeit, I do not get the pleasureable experience of hitting the water as often as I'd like due to my current circumstances. Fortunately, this is about to change very soon and I will have ample time to be practicing (more-so than most out there). I'm also not afraid to beater (within my reasonable means and trusted, more friends) - I'd really call this gently pushing the envelope and escaping the comfort zone in the name of forward progression.

I currently have a condititon called avascuclar necrosis in my hips which causes severe pain and weakness... I also have a shoulder injury, but it's doable. Do not criticize me for paddling in this condition you will do yourself no good. Anyways, so rolling has been difficult for me, mainly due to my injuries. I can do it on flatwater most of the time and mellower currents fine, but my hip snap definitely needs work and my technique definitely needs refinement, but I absolutely believe that I am close to getting it down good.

Now, the rivers I've paddled that would be known are the Upper Green and the Nantahala. The Green was the last river I ran and it was definitely a successful, and not to mention awesome, step-up from some previous rivers. I'd say I ran it smoothly (hit Bayless Boof perfectly, I'm very proud. Go titanic creekers.), couple of kinks, but I only swam once and that was when I accidentally got sucked unknowingly into Wandas Hole (GOOD TIMES and buddy got his ass worked by it) while I was turned around herding a couple friends that like taking leisure time after break time (whaaa).

*** Okay, enough of that talk now you know a little bit about me, let's get straight to it. I want to know EVERYTHING! about kayaking. I want to know all the fundamentals, all the advanced techniques, best ways to practice (and don't just say time in water haha don't worry about that), tricks of the trade, secrets, I want your full guidance and sacred knowledge. Please help me become the paddler I am meant to be. I dream of soaring off of 100 ft falls and sliding through canyons into oblivion and corkscrewing in hulking waves until I don't know which direction I'm facing. Whatever information you are willing to offer will be extracted into the Sponge of Knowledge.

I'm hitting the American Whitewater Center this weekend, I'm honestly nervous to try to run it again, not because of the rapids, but my rolling capabilities. Regardless, I'm looking to get a playboat there (gear trade!) because I hear that will allow me to utilize all the kayaking skills the best. My biggest interest is creeking. I enjoy just bombing the rivers and making a stop here or there, but I have the appetite for all forms of water and all aspects of kayaking. Doing some tricks will definitely be rad, but my primary concern is getting better faster (without skipping steps). So, if the playboat is not what I seek please inform. I did own a Fluid Zooka for a while, not a big fan of its aggressive carving capabilities, though that could just be the newb in me. I'm also not afraid to get tossed around in a playboat or whatever until I flow with the motion of the ocean.

Any suggestions are more than welcome. Maybe someone here might even be there and would like to show me the ropes over some beers, or even sell me a kayak ;).

Thank you for your time and hearing the late night rant of a mad man, and thank you for being an awesome community. Paddle on and paddle strong.