Part I – I Am Woman, I am Invincible!

This year at Kayak Weekend in Two Rivers, Wisconsin when you looked out on the water to watch the kayaks rolling around you were just as likely to see one of the women of the group as the men. That was certainly a dynamic change from past events. Robin & Julie are really coming up fast! Sea kayaking often tends to take on this “men in beards” look as Justine C. pointed out in her DVD but thanks to women like her, Fiona Whitehead, Shawna Franklin, Ginnie Callahan, Cherry Perry and others this is beginning to change. Hey, and as much as I like hanging with the guys, it is nice to see some faces with a little less razor stubble! In fact even the Greenland guys are just as likely to refer to Cherry Perry as Greg Stammer or Maligiaq Padilla when talking about their kayak heroes. (Sorry Greg!) One thing is for sure, Kayak Weekend would not be the same if it were not for Nanette seeming to always be quietly seeing to the comfort of everyone. She’s just like a Ninga Martha Stewart without the ankle bracelet! Even Mary did her part in lifting spirits. Although next time she may actually lock the door!!!

Part II – Kayak University – Great Lakes Division

Alex, (aka “schizopak” to the Pnet Crowd) spent a good amount of time this weekend working with Mary on her first roll with some pretty good results. He is teaching the extended paddle roll as the “first roll” which looks to be a very successful method for some students. In fact, I watched him have one person rolling in less than an hour! Mary came very close after we found that a Greenland paddle seemed to work for her better. After the paddle change the only thing that seemed to stop two very good attempts was a shallow lake and total exhaustion. But her confidence is certainly as high as it could be. So guess what we’ll be doing tonight! Thanks Alex!

On that note Alex has to get the award for “most improved” kayaker in the region this year. Be sure to check out our little “hot doggin” clip of him on the videos page. (EJ Roll) I should mention too that Alex was looking pretty hip in the borrowed tuliq! Next thing you know he’ll be sitting in his office carving a harpoon~

Thanx too, to Paul for spending time working with me on my balance or static brace. No, I’ve not got it yet, but I have some tricks to use to get there. Oh, and I have a nice big bruise where my combing was digging into my back all weekend. I know, I know, I need to arch more. Well, Arch This!!!

Paul is from Racine, Wisconsin and is renowned for crawling down so deeply in his hand-made boat that only his head and arms are sticking out. From there hand-rolls and balance braces become a cake walk.

For myself I was happy to see a little impromptu work with one attendee introduce him to his first successful extended paddle roll as well as almost pulling off an angel. I think I saw him chasing down the Superior Kayaks guy for a Greenland Paddle after that!

The Two Rivers events truly do bring out what’s best about kayaker gatherings. It’s the nature of the sport that everyone gathers together to share what they have learned from one event to the next. People at all levels are happy to get out in the water with another kayaker and pass along what they have learned. I can’t think of anything that will bring people closer together than working hard, laughing & learning together. Time is a fantastic gift!

Part III – If The Paper Said It. . . .

On Friday we all paddled down the river to the Roger’s Street days festival where some of the less spotlight shy kayakers demonstrated a variety of rolls and rescues to the partying crowd. We arrived just as everyone was launching. Never have I went so fast from steering wheel to paddle. On the water I was still looking for my cruise control. We also paddled out to Lake Michigan but the dredging project seemed to have created some very interesting smells which sent us right back up the river to our camping area. Saturday saw us repeat this little parade since the local paper printed that we would again be rolling by the festival. If the local paper says it’s going to happen then who are we not to make it so?

The city of Two Rivers was very kind to donate the use of the parking lot to the group which not only gave us a place for the Sunday swap, but also allowed Mary and I to camp right on the water. You can’t complain about that other than for the one reggae-death-metal speed boat roaring by late Saturday night. Good Music, Bad Timing. . .

Part IV – Build Me A Statue

Phil Rohr is a tireless kayaking promoter and is never afraid to twist some arms to get us every little ounce of cooperation from the community. He certainly deservers a lot of credit for building up these events. In fact I’m sure we had nearly 70 kayakers total show up for at least one day of the 3 day event. Now if we could just get the city to grant Phil Rohr’s wish to rename the bridge in his honor all would be right with the world! (Even if he did suggest rewards for shooting an exceptionally verbal K9. . . )

Part V – Nigel Where Are You??

In Two Rivers and much of Wisconsin you are no doubt in “CD” country. There has not been an event this year where a Current Designs flag has not been literally flying over the event. Us Brit-boat paddlers had to be sure to watch our proximity to the flag lest our properly uptight kayaks burst into flame! It was suggested we may have to paint a maple leaf on our boats just to be allowed north of Madison. I wish Nigel Dennis would send me an NDK flag so I could make a good showing for the Brits as well!!

Part VI – The Kayak Roll – Tails You Win!

Insert classic radio advertising voice here – -> Hey there buddy, are you looking for a rolling tip? Do you think your doing everything right but you still just break the surface and fall over again? Is that your problem buddy? Well here’s a little tip. . . KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN!!! YIKES!!

Seriously though, this is often the answer. This one error in technique seems to stick out more than any other. Remember your brain wants out of the water. So before you can even think about good form your head is often reaching up for the surface. At that point your roll is pretty much cooked. That 8lb weight is just going to take you right back over. Regardless of what roll you’re learning you should think about bringing your head up last. First comes the boat (hipsnap or twist), then comes your torso, then your head. Boat, torso, head, boat, torso, head. If you can, get someone to video tape your attempts. It’s amazing how that will help you better understand what others have been telling you all along. Sometimes that stark image of your head rising straight up is just what your brain needs to face the fact and start over.