So if it’s blazing hot on the beach, it’s like Dante’s inferno inland! Sunday morning after a final “Kayak Week” play-period in the baby surf we packed up our incredibly large tent for the 3 hr drive back home. We only needed to come inland a short ways from Point Beach State Park to go from bake to broil. Now we only have 2 days at home before we are off again to the Inland Sea Symposium in Washburn.

The NEWSeakayaker’s “Kayak Week” event is an informal gathering where folks drop in and out to share in big fires, good food and of-course, constant kayak trips along the Lake Michigan shore line. Mary and I had a great time. We chose to bring Gryphon along so we did not get to paddle together at all as one of us had to stay on the shore at all times but often we would just be playing in the surf anyway so this was not at all inconvenient. It’ seems this summer I’ve been off working, kayaking, instructing etc., so much that we need to take any time we can as a family.

I took a lot of heat for the size of our new Kelty tent (Mantra 7). Thanks for that guys!! However, I’ve learned I can be a minimalist when ever I like, but there is no reason for skimping when you don’t need to. Kayaking is about fun after all. Last October when Mary and I attended the BCU Skills Symposium in Bodega Bay CA we found many if not most of the other attendees had massive tents in comparison to our little 3 person jobber. And we soon learned why. In a large tent you can hang gear inside on rainy days. You can also create a “transitional” zone where you can get out of your sand covered gear, brush off and then enter the “less sand-filled” zone of the tent. You basically have a gear area and a living quarters. Another consideration when choosing a tent is if you will be bringing children. When the weather does not cooperate, a larger tent will give children some in-door play space which can make all the difference in whether they remember a rainy trip as a good time or a time when they would have rather been home watching TV. On an expedition I’m content to eat and sleep in sand, wear one set of clothes, and put on a damp drysuit, but when we can we’re going to enjoy a little convenience.

Looking ahead to our trip to the Inland Sea symposium is pretty exciting. This symposium is held in what is arguably the most spectacular kayaking destination in the Midwest, the Apostle Islands. We are heading up on Wednesday as there is an ACA Instructor update beginning at 8am in Redcliff, WI some 6 hours from home. Although I don’t “need” to take the update this year I’m really looking forward to it. If you have the opportunity to spend time learning from coaches like Dale Williams (Sea Kayak Georgia) and Gail Green (Living Adventures) you certainly want to take it. In addition we are going to get our first real look at the new proposed ACA Award Based Program that will bring ACA coaches more in-line with the BCU and other international certification programs. When I went for my ACA certification I was a bit confused by the grey areas between coaching levels and it looks like this new program will clear that up and better define expected skills from on level to another.

When the symposium begins in earnest I really have no clue what I’ll be doing. I expect to find out when I get there. I only know I will be teaching or guiding on Friday and Saturday. That’s one of the fun things about teaching at symposiums, there is a lot of improv involved. . .