Sea kayakers and Space Shuttle astronauts....cut from the same cloth.

It is spectacular. 

From about five minutes in, 

when we knew for sure that we were going to have the weather to go, 

the smile on my face just got bigger and bigger, 

and I was just beaming through the whole launch. 

I mean, it is just an amazing ride.

- Chris Hadfield (Canadian shuttle astronaut, Commander ISS, Expedition 35, 2013)

The launch.

Chris, I feel exactly the same way. 

We carefully transfer the MSP (Marine Support Pod) from the racks on the Subaru HMKTV (High Mobility Kayak Transport Vehicle), set the craft in the water, stow gear in cargo bays, ensure all safety gear and instrumentation (marine compass, VHF radio, GPS system) is operational, check that spare "thruster" is secure under rear bungee, ensure the relief zipper on survival clothing is secured - and we're "good to go" for launch.

The smile on our faces gets bigger and bigger too - yes, it's an amazing ride.

No wonder we sea kayakers understand how astronauts think - we have a great deal in common, we're cut from the same cloth.

Duncan.