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Monday, June 06, 2011

“Rockin’ In Salvage"

Salvage is one of those places, one of those little subtle jewels, like the Terra Nova River, that has spots so nicely and naturally aligned for instructing. I wasn’t doing any instructing but enjoying the teaching of  skills from others such as Christopher Lockyear of Committed2TheCore paddling..


Salvage is scenic as you can get of a typical outport community in near central Newfoundland. So our invasion was well underway.


Putting in of large numbers of paddlers is much quicker than you think and once one has all the gear on everyone is only to anxious to make way and waves.


Andrew here taking a quick peek out at the training grounds or should I say waters.


Like most sports it is essential for better performance and less injuries to warm up before you undertake the journey.


Some quick rules and leadership establishment so everyone is "on the same kayak so to speak”.


Maybe just a quick go through of some strokes some may have learned in the blending strokes class from the morning sessions. Now was an opportunity to try them out.


Christopher Lockyear one of the very capable instructors planning the session I am sure.


And so they are lead…..


Now one drill I found interesting was paddling out to this exposed rock island and touching the nose of your kayak against the seaweed there and paddling backwards to the starting point. This may have been as much as an evaluation of sorts to determine skills as much as an exercise to warm up.


So there were a few nice spots but this is where the photography gets limited because I wanted to learn too and not be bothered stopping taking pictures all the time but I think you will get the idea.


Assessing the situation you are in before you plunge head-long into it is a useful habit to get into. Timing is everything we constantly hear in many aspects of our lives and no more so than when planning exits or entries through rock gardens. Looking at where the waves are boofing, the sequence of their flow and trying to determine points that are safe, fun and able to challenge those that need it. Some more tomorrow.

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