I got dem blurs. You know that thing that happens after you’ve been doing something non-stop for days and then you try to summarize it for others? Wow, it feels just like I’m doing that right now. Pretty strange, eh??

I’ve written in the last couple posts about some little details of my experience but they certainly don’t cover an event like ISS. Underneath the classes and well known padders are a few hundred people trudging from tent to class, to class to tent, to towel, to bed. Oh, and maybe food if they’re not too tired. Their overwhelming zeal is just inspiring. And humbling if you’re an instructor. “How do I live up to this??”, was a common thought I had passing through my tiny little brain. It’s like a pop quiz. From every direction come questions on every topic. You have to be on the ball and very willing to say, “I have no clue, but let’s find someone who may.” Attendees almost always really pack in the classes with little thought of rest. I have a feeling that if the organizers didn’t schedule a lunch break, there just wouldn’t be one. You certainly can’t argue heavy scheduling either. They want to learn so much and there really is no better opportunity. It’s really too bad our brains don’t work like video. You can’t really just plug them in and record each class and go home an instant expert. Just like me, they are going to wake up this morning trying to put all the little bits of their experience into some reasonable order. Even now they’ll notice they are questioning a little nuance of a stroke they intentionally focused on yesterday. Some will run right off to their local lake and practice, others will plan for next weekend or as soon as they get a chance. Sooner is better if you want to remember. But even for those “chomping at the bit” type folks, much of the symposium and many of the lessons learned will already be slipping into dem blurs. Most likely they will have just a couple really strong memories that they can dig into and practice. Maybe a couple new moves to learn, and a couple new thoughts about safety or gear. And that’s ok. It’s the way the human mind works. It holds on to the most important bits for us and sends all that other information off into oblivion. So what choice to you have but to catch another lesson or maybe another symposium. . . Door County Anyone? For my part, I always have the same suggestion. Just get out and paddle. Experience is always the best instructor.

Today’s top photo is a moment of Gail Green’s symposium experience. Ever wonder what happens when you bonk a kayaker on the head?? Stars? No way!! Leon Somme & Doug VanDoren of course! And yes, that is Gail’s symposium “doo” in the foreground. Now, I was certainly proud of Alex Pak when he got the opportunity to play “Monkey-See, Monkey-Do” with Doug in West Michigan, but Leon took it a step further at ISS by showing Doug that anything he could do with the traditional paddle, Mr. Leon could do with the Euro. (well, almost anyway. . ) Did I hear Doug say. . ., “It doesn’t matter what paddle you use. . ” Right On Doug!!! Personally I’m Bi. . . I paddle both ways!! You know, I also think I heard Doug say, “Rolling is NOT kayaking”. Could he really mean that? Is he suggesting we should paddle from one point to another as well? Wow! Where is this sport headed anyway!!

On a side note I think there are like 10,000 guys out there that want to know more about Leon’s wedding ring roll?? Hmmm, I hear he’s not married though, at least that’s what Shawna said. His response to Shawna. . , “How do you know?!”

I should have a really nice gallery from the symposium up in a couple days. I’m sure I have a few more little bits to write about it as well. (It’s dem blurs again) All to follow over the week. Friday I’m back at Rutabaga to teach an intro to kayaking class and then Saturday I do a presentation of all my silly kayak adventures at Mirror Lake State Park near Wisconsin Dells. Can you believe people will endure mosquitoes the size of turkey vultures just to hear me ramble on?? Well, when you bring the whole family camping you’ll do just about anything to get away from the tent for awhile. That reminds me, I’ve got to get out and un-pack the jeep. . .