Heaven grows on Licorice tree
With the seeds of curiosity
he laughed and he cackled
as he crossed the map – j. finn

My intent was to call this post the ‘Attack of the 50ft Santa”, but then last night I checked the mail and found a package from Riptides & Rapids. Now I could hope Jim was going to send me a really nice Christmas card, but I’d be dreaming again. What he did send me was Justine’s new video, THIS IS THE SEA TWO. I imagine you’d think I’d seen it already but no, I have to wait too! I get no special treatment, wait no that’s not quite true, I think I take more abuse!!! I’m sure my review would be about as objective as George Bush saying the war is going well, but hey this is MY blog and I don’t have to be objective. Do I?Long before I had ever been to a BCU symposium or met a few of these great folks, I ordered my copy of ‘This Is The Sea’ after hearing a friend of a friend of a friend tell me about this really cool video. When it came in the mail, I was really excited. It was, like Christmas. I had to watch it right then. I was amazed! It was all just “Wow!”, and “These guys are incredible!!” I started it over and watched it again. Then that evening. . . . and the next day. . .

Probably for the first time since I was 12 and listening to Queen did I see people I wanted to emulate! In our world, that’s rare indeed. I can remember watching bits and pieces over and over again. Then I’d run out to the local lake and try to match maneuvers and nail skills. I can still remember how impressed I was to see Shawna Franklin resting her open hand on a low brace like she was leaning distractedly on a bookshelf, or watching Nigel Foster moving his sea boat around like a ballerina taking advantage of every whim of the water flowing around him. I had to do that!! Now even the setting sun and freaking cold water didn’t shorten my personal practice sessions. Every time I go over and get really frustrated I can hear Ginnie Callahan saying something to the effect of, “if your not going over, your not pushing it, you’re not really trying”. So, I roll up and do it again. That’s when a word like “inspirational” becomes something real and not just another stupid marketing phrase. This Is The Sea was certainly a window into the worlds of a bunch of great sea kayakers. If only for a few moments you felt like you were hanging out with friends.

As you can imagine I come at This Is The Sea II from a different angle today, yet a lot of the same feelings roam around my head. This time I was taken aback by the imagery and the quiet intensity of skill. It’s a bit shocking to see some of the guys in Wales as they sit almost motionless on insanely fast tidal currents. Boat control is portioned out in little adjustments and subtle twists of the blade. Amazing! Watching Brian Smith of Body, Boat, Blade, rolling in that white nightmare at “Skooks” tidal rapid makes my teeth hurt. Ah, but at the same time, I’m saying I MUST go do that. I have to go there.

It was great to see everyone from our trip to the Manitous this spring. Doug, Keith, Belinda, Andy, Rich, Alun, Ken and the rest. I was so nervous being out (and out-classed) with these great paddlers I couldn’t hardly talk for 3 days! It’s very weird to see it on DVD. Very surreal. Friends have emailed me on and off to ask “hey, are you in it?????”. I really didn’t have a clue and if truth be told, I’m not always comfortable with photos of me. Most of the time I look like the worlds biggest dork. For what it’s worth, yes I’m hiding out in a shot here or there. I look fine by the fire, and like a fool in that stupid hat. But I’ve burned the hat last evening with little fanfare. No “stupid hat wearer I” from now forward.

I wanted to mention the little “Hadas” dance too. . . but I just. . . don’t. . . know. . .what. . .to say!! I’m guessing she’s not doing the dance right this moment. South Georgia just does not seem like a dancing kind of place.

There may or may not be nudity. You’ll have to wait until the very end. Did I say “end”?For me the real treasure of This Is The Sea II is the Tasmania Story. If you’ve missed it; Justine Curgeven, Trys Morris, & Gemma Rowlings were the first all-female expedition to cercumnavigate Tasmania. Completing the 1350km expediton in just over 36 days. It’s not often that we get such a raw look into Expedition paddling. I often see expedition documentaries and find myself wondering what’s going on when the camera’s off. I feel like I’m missing the “real” stuff. Justine was very honest in her presentation and shared a bit more than you may expect! There were plenty of moments where you could think, “I do NOT want to do that!” She also showed both good and bad choices along the way. I felt like we see the line where a decision between going back or going forward was drawn. The battle with the head is at least as tough as the battle with the elements. I thought that came across well.

In the end I am just as inspired now as ever. The world is a beautiful place and life is short. We’ve got to get out there. Thanks for the reminder Justine!

-d

MORE!Oh, by the way there are two songs by the band “Tom” on the Tasmania video. If you want the full songs on MP3 you can download them free RIGHT HERE.

Still Photos from the Lake Michigan Section are Here. Just look for “Manitou Islands MI” Gallery.

There are also a ton of still photos at CackleTV.com. Galleries from Tasmania, Newfoundland, Lake Michigan, Lofoten and others. The Galleries Are Here.

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4. Stuff & Nonsense Part VII
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