taliesin38 wrote:My wife is also quite timid. Really she is a very competent paddler but just is timid. I have found one of the best things to help here is to paddle with other women. She won't listen to me, it just ends up in a fight, but will listen to other girls that we paddle with. I work hard to make sure that we always have a female paddleing partner that we get out with at least once a week out of your 3+ days of paddling.
I agree with these comments. Ladies benefit from support from ladies. Men just seem to have a different way about them, especially when it comes to physical/sport stuff IMHO.
Also second the comments about skull cap, warm gear, etc. It's very important that she not actually be physically cold. Beyond that, it is a mental challenge for her to overcome.
I'd suggest gearing her up well (including nose plugs!), and 'throwing her in the river' (!) as it were - do some immersion, some swimming, maybe throw bag to swimmer (you better get in too or this will never work!) practice in an eddy, etc. for short periods, no more than an hour or so (wet). Allow her time to become 'calm' - if not comfortable in cold water. The stress that cold water causes, even when geared up - we get it in the face, etc - causes panic, errors, more trouble, headaches, etc. Make it fun, have a hottub/fireplace/rum bottle/ etc handy, and I'm sure her confidence will build with the 'comfort'.
Good luck:ask: