As his adrenaline begins pumping faster, Shenan Rodman skillfully maneuvers his kayak through the racing rapids of a river.

Not only is it an adrenaline rush but it is very physically challenging, Rodman, a senior in geography from Buffalo Grove and president of the SIUC Kayaking Club, said. The pay-off comes when you finally get down the river successfully.

Instead of setting sail with an entire crew, some SIUC students opt for the one-person water sport of kayaking.

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The SIUC Kayaking Club meets at 8:30 p.m. every Monday in the Pulliam Hall pool and takes trips to rivers in Tennessee, North Carolina and Missouri every two months.

The club members are planning an October trip to North Carolina to get new members out on rivers. The trip gives the new members a chance to apply the lessons they have learned in the pool that are essential to kayaking.

The pool is a great environment to learn the basics, Dave Cummins, Touch of Nature employee from Decatur, said. When you practice rolls and braking in the pool, there are people there to help you.

Rodman said training in the pool is very important to be successful on the river.

The pool is the greatest place to learn and practice, he said. When you’re in a river, it is very difficult your first time to keep yourself under control.

Cummins said the atmosphere of the club makes it easy to learn.

When I first came, five people were in the pool with me helping me out, he said. They were all very helpful and patient with me. They kept on encouraging me to get out there and keep trying.

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Cummins has been kayaking for a year and said that being in the club has given him the opportunity to exercise and have fun.

Being able to hit the rivers are the thrills of being in the club, Cummins said. Spending time in nature, working with the river, maneuvering around rapids and surfing the waves are some of the best things about the club.

As a second-year member, Kenny VanStone, an unclassified graduate student from Paducah, Ky., takes part in the club to be close to his friends.

Some of my best friends came from the club, he said. As people move on to other things in life, there is always a new generation of members.

A lot of people don’t know each other when they join, but soon they become really good friends.

VanStone said the club is always looking for more members.

If you don’t mind getting a little wet and like to be involved in a thrilling sport, then you should get out to the pool and try it, he said.

Rodman takes the time to make sure new members get the best training.

We do our best to pass on what we have learned, he said. We aren’t instructors. We just take the time to pass on what others had passed on to us.

VanStone said the time he spends on a kayak is very relaxing and a great way to spend time in nature.

When you are going down the river, you don’t think about a thing, he said. You’re out there having an absolute blast. You’re out on a river, looking at the mountains around you in a very beautiful natural setting. That’s what kayaking is all about.

Any person interested in joining the Kayaking Club can call Shenan Rodman at 457-2096.