Introducing Others to Whitewater

Some may argue that there are right ways and wrong ways to introduce people to whitewater.  Being a Swiftwater Rescue Technician and whitewater instructor, I evaluate each individual and give them experiences based on what I think they can handle, and most importantly on what the fun to danger ratio is.  My main goal, no matter who the student, is to get them off the river at the end of the session saying "That was so much fun, I want to do it again!"

My friend and roommate Crystal is an adventurous, tough chick.  I took her to a free huck rodeo at Quyon Falls in Quebec with the intent to huck the falls and then teach her some rolling and strokes.

After watching a number of beginners gleefully hucking over the lip of the falls, I asked Crystal if she wanted to try it, telling her that the consequences on this drop at this water level were minimal.  She had never been in a kayak before, but was willing to give it a shot.

I put her in my Peak drydeck, but without securing it to the boat incase she did tip and was nervous about a wet-exit.  We then set the boat up at the lip of the falls, got her in it, and gave her a push over!  Some friends were waiting at the bottom in their boats incase she needed any help.

We sent her off the falls three times, with the guys waiting at the bottom to help if needed.  Great thanks to Shawn and Grahame especially, and everyone else for their words of encouragement.

Today, Crystal got to experience not only kayaking, but one of the reasons why I love the sport so much:  the friendship and encouragement that you get from the kayaking community.

Salida 08 wrap up

This summer I spent teaching kayaking at the Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center in Salida, Colorado. With two great playholes right in town it is a great spot to spend the summer. Most nights after work I went out for a session and was done in time for dinner.

At the beginning of the year one of my goals was to get a 5 trick combo. Due to the high water and then a quick drop the hole wasn't at ideal level for very long and I didn't get it. I did hit a couple 4 trick combos though. I also made up some other new fun tricks and worked on some less common tricks, both of which I am calling novelties for the sake of my video. Hope you enjoy!

Canadian Cottage Chick

Cottage life in Canada is a completely different pace, approach, world.

You really have to experience it to truly appreciate it. Imagine no timings, no contact with the outside world. All you have is the wilderness, watersports, campfires, beer, steak and parcheesi. 

Saturday was almost literally the first full day of sunshine we've had up here in Ontario ALL summer, so we spent the entire day on the water. Tube Wars, Wakeboarding, Swimming, ATVing all day, followed by a feast of steak, shrimp, potatoes, salad, garlic cheese bread, beer and an all night campfire courtesy of our friend's old fence!

I have always wanted to ride my kayak behind the boat, and this weekend was my chance. I had no experience with this, and no idea what to do to keep me from getting hurt. I was really nervous as if I was going to fast and took an edge, I could feel some fast-water-pain.

First session was fun, but I thought my arms were going to rip out of their sockets. It wasn't like wakeboarding or waterskiing. I was carrying the weight of my body, boat and drag from the water.

As we sped up, I started carving on the wake I was creating and getting more and more gutsy. I was getting some good bounces going and finally dropped an edge and went vertical! Woo! I scared myself so much I let go of the tow rope and crashed.

Next session I will go further; I can't wait!!