rafting: the ultimate bond/mbing experience

Apparently two of the original (July 7) London bombers went rafting.

The first two guys at right are the suicide bombers. (Everybody else's face is blurred out) <The following exegesis is only going to be boring for the non-obsessive-compulsive types out there.\> The second guy is clearly a dumbass.

I worked as a whitewater rafting guide 2 summers ago. It was the best job of my life, probably because I was doing it half-time. So I have a few things to point out.

Take a look at the paddler on the far left, with his face blurred out. This is what everybody is supposed to be doing: bracing themselves as they go through the toughest waves. The guide clearly told them to secure themselves moments before, and this is the technique: Let go of your paddle with your lower hand, put that arm across the paddle so as to brace it to yourself and the boat, and grab the outer rope with your free hand. That way nobody gets the paddle in their teeth, and your neighbour keeps his eye.

Now take a good look at the picture. The first bomber guy, though obviously a little panicked since he's crouching low, is doing what he should and bracing himself.

The second guy, however, is giving the peace sign to the photographer. the PEACE SIGN.

His paddle is limply hanging free (gripped only by THREE fingers), ready to fly up and bloody his nose at the next wave crest. Clearly an idiot.

But the main point is: they look like normal city slicker goofs having a good time on a "wild" "crazy" "adventure". So what happened? Did they decide to go on a nice little "x-treme" adventure to celebrate their impending self-annihiliation?! WTF?