“Knowledge And Skill On The Fly"

You can’t beat surfing down the face of a wave for some thrill and excitement in paddling. It is even better when you know what to do and how to control your craft. I guess we have all heard by now the expert theory. It takes 10,ooo hours no matter what you want to do, to become an expert. Age doesn’t matter, skill at the beginning doesn’t matter ie one more athletic than the other for example. You just got to put in the time.

Chris Lockyer catching a wave at symposium.

Chris heading on a crash course for Stan. Like he said at the warm up sometimes despite your best efforts and skill a wave will do with you what it wants to.

Evident in this photo is Chris employing his years of knowledge and skill in preventing me from being embedded with the bow of his boat. Luckily for me he was well in control. I was taking shots of him catching one of the nicer waves off the day when it brought him right alongside me instantly almost and his quick response avoided a collision, not mine.

So we practised some reverse towing rescues in conditions with waves and rock all around. It is one thing to tow straight out of a situation facing the direction you are going and quite another getting out of a gnarly situation towing in reverse. Good fun, good practise.

Getting back in after the pull out.

Discussing some of the strategies and pros and cons of each groups attempt at the 3 man rescue scenario. On person bailed. Another rescued and held the victims boat and emptied water while the third pulled all to safety in reverse in whatever sea state was present.

Taking a break!

Sure is good to be on the water.

“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.

“Who The Rock Hoppers Were"

So Let’s Rock!

“Different Strokes For Different Blokes"

Learning to link paddling strokes is just an efficient way to get from point A to point B and all points in between by utilizing less energy than it would take if you did not employ strokes that can be combined efficiently with one another. The whole purpose being to try and maintain course with minimal drag from  improper stroke deployment thus  minimizing maneuvers and strokes that will slow your forward progress.

This is Dave performing a shoulder brace turn with one hand I think or at least one shoulder but looks like two. Dave was our instructor for Blending Strokes at the Atlantic Symposium. There was no shortage of energy or enthusiasm.

Attentive to instructor  examples of stroke blending. We did some routine stuff with low and high braces, sweep strokes and such with combinations thrown in of course. Practising the edging is always fun to challenge yourself not to capsize. 

Trying hard to maintain my attention to the course I deviated constantly to take shots. I was practising sweeping stabilizing braces with low brace and high brace recoveries.

Did I mentioned that the sun had reared its’ brilliant face for most of the rest of the day and it was so tempting to dart away into the sun on a paddle down the coast.

Others were more captive than myself and showed good progress throughout.

The wind help simulate conditions and add to a bit of degree of difficulty.

The odd time paddlers from other courses happening in tandem would travel by like Sue here eager to mosey on with her group. 

Passing through.

Sealevel? Yup! 

Tempting distant headlands and paddlers blending strokes.

“Havin' A Time”; “Get Me To The Water"

Well survived all the previous evening hospitality got up early for a nice breakfast of bacon, eggs and bagels I had brought from the Georgetown Bakery in ST. John’s. If you haven’t tried them you really must. At anyrate it was time to unload and that can be an adventure in itself when kayaking with so many people and so much gear.

 Like ants invading on a picnic we arrived at our put-in and the activity escalated like crazy.

Sean and I were just a bit earlier and so if I wasn’t taken this shot I could have helped him down with his boat.

I think this was called Sandy Cove or Sandy Beach and I have absolutely no reason why?

Jim Price and Julie Bettny doing the smart thing and helping each other down to the water. There was a flight of stairs to navigate amongst all the participants vying for the same entrance to the beach.

Brian Duffet making good headway for the water. 

Some were going out and some were coming in.

So close yet so far away…….

In Newfoundland it is easy to paddle near white picked fences. You just know you are never too far away from the warmth and hospitality of the area.

Whale bone entrance exuding the whale of a time to be had.

Still making our way. There were lots to get to the beach head.

Grassy knolls and weathered logs along the trail to the beach just seemed as fitting as helmets for rock hopping. Oh that is later this afternoon.

Finishing touches to gear.

Who is that masked crusader????? 

HAzen where’s your boat man??

Sharing stories.

Hey Dave. Dave was our instructor for today. Lookin’ ‘cool’ !

Well almost ready for the water. MAn I’m getting dry!