So what separates paddlers from one another? Obviously experience is a big one...What other factors play into progression? It's quite simple - Skills, Gnarlyness, and Sick-nastyness
If canoeing progression was visualized as a pyramid it would look like this...
![Image](http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee448/Haggy187/pryamid.jpg)
As you see 'the dooley" is the last level of canoe progression. It is the nirvana of white-water canoeing. Some may never reach canoeing nirvana - some may never want to - But the goal of this thread is to at least lay it out there - what are the major differences in skill levels - so that if you desire - you know what to overcome to get to the next level - A road map
As an awareness thread (so those new and old can learn) - with many different perspectives and opinions...
1) What major factors separate 'the skilled' from the 'kind-of skilled'?
2) What separates the gnarly from the 'sometimes' gnarly?
3) the 'sick nasty' from the "not so sick nasty'?
3) and lastly the "Dooley" and the "not quite Dooley"?