Ok, Let’s do this today. Each one of us take a moment to go to Rotem Ron’s Journal and post just a quick note of encouragement. Yes, that means YOU too. Rotem is now on her way south down the Eastern coast of Iceland in her attempt to become the first person to solo circumnavigate this island nation. Not quite half way it seems to me. (oh, one third according to today’s post!) I cannot even begin to express to you the true breadth of this challenge. Rotem is amazing! (or crazy, or both). Ahead of her yet Iceland’s wild south coast awaits. I can’t help but think of Shawna and Leon’s presentation about their circumnavigation with Chris Duff. It seems that on the south coast the steep unprotected black sand beaches presented a nasty challenge for the team. These steep beaches dropped into a big dumping surf that no one in their right mind would want to launch into or try to land in. They would try to just stay out on the water as much as possible. But sooner or later you need to land and that means getting back out again. So each day they would draw lots (or something to that effect) to see which poor sod would be last to launch thus receiving no help from the other two. The last person off the beach would just have to accept that they would be getting a merciless beating at the hands of the sea. Sometimes facing many attempts to escape before they could finally break through the angry surf. Shawna said that most of the time the guys were honorable and did not leave her in that position. Heck I wouldn’t want anyone leaving me in the position either!!! I don’t envy Rotem taking this on alone. So if you’re reading today, why not take a moment and let her know we’re thinking about her.

In other news, Misha Hochman and Alon Ohad are setting off on July 1st to circumnavigate Ireland. (by kayak of course). Their website is here. This is their follow-up to their 2005 circumnavigation of Tasmania. One thing quite interesting about this trip is that they going to include a few of their fellow Israeli kayakers along the way who want to gain expediton experience. They take an active part in all the expedition preparations and gain experience for their own future trips. Cool concept! Gadi Goldfarb with join them for the SE, S and SW coasts, Inna Hoichman will then switch with him and paddle on the west cost. You can follow those updates here.

I think that’s it for the moment.

Alright, so where are you going now? Click Here. (and post. .!)

Communion

Relaxation

Balance

Cheetos!

Ok, so here’s something I picked up from Shawna and Leon of Body, Boat, Blade that’s just too good not to share. Balls. I’m using tennis balls but I think anything that floats would be ok. Well, they don’t even have to float but if not, you may end up replacing them a lot.

We had a nice evening out under the stars chatting all about kayaking. We even beat the lightning that was slowly sneaking up on us. I was asked by someone recently if I liked public speaking because I seemed really comfortable leading on the water. My answer was that I do feel comfortable “On the Water”. On land my nose itches and I feel a bit like I’m diving 100 feet down into a glass of water. I always have a nagging feeling that everyone is expecting something else and are just board silly with what I’m actually talking about. I’m not sure what I think they were expecting. . . jugglers maybe? Anyway, I guess you’d have to ask the audience how it went. One thing is sure, I’m really learning to hate computer projectors!

Thanks to the folks at Mirror Lake State Park for inviting me back.