Ahhh, Sunday. One more late morning class and we are are on the road again. 6 hours through bear country! (well, at least that’s what the signs say) Yesterday was a good day at the symposium. I had a “bracing and hip-snaps” class in the morning. Often times a class on bracing has as much if not more to do with confidence than it does with skill. The skills are in fact, simple. Having the confidence to trust the braces is another thing. In time you come to do it without a thought. The water is happy to help you stay up.

With confidence building in mind I was able to Join Kelly Blades for another of his, “kayak fun” classes which one guy described as an on water “kegger”. Above you can see me getting set up for a chariot race. Instructors ALWAYS ride!! The Kayak fun class may seem like total madness but there is an insidious undercurrent of a plan. By the end of the class, if all goes well you have a group of people who could careless if they fall over. (see paragraph 1.)

One interesting observation. I think maybe, just maybe, the loonies are taking over . . This year there seems to be a certain edge of silliness going on. There is a lesson flowing through a group of instructors that says, this is kayaking. . . we do it for fun. . . we’re not hunting seals. . . Certainly we need to have the skills we need to be safe out there, but on the other hand learning can be fun. And it bloody well should be too.

More pictures have been added to the ISS Gallery.

Today we took a group out to Sand Island which has some of the most beautiful sea caves in the Apostle Islands. The picture above is of Andrea Knepper of Illinois. Andrea is a BCU 4 star paddler and ACA open water coach. She will also be instructing at the “Ladies of the Lake” symposium August 16th – 19th in Manistique, MI, on Indian Lake and Lake Michigan. The LOL symposium is hosted by Downwind Sports.

We had a warm, picture perfect day, just right for taking beginner’s out for their first open water crossing and “big water” adventure. I’ve uploaded some pictures to the Flickr ISS Gallery.

Oh and speaking of tripping. Yes, it is true. I did do the return crossing from Sand Island to the mainland. . . Backwards.

The symposium starts in full force tomorrow. So today other than an instructor meeting in the afternoon we had the day to play. The lake started off nice and calm, glass in fact in the morning. So it was a perfect opportunity to take Gryphon out for his first real look at why we paddle. I took out my Anas Acuta and hooked him and his EPI-Sea up with my tow belt and we paddled the mile or so south of Thompson’s West End park where last year I had discovered one good sized sea stack and a few small caves. As we paddled the wind did pick up a bit, but it was still pretty calm and we were able to go through one of the caves. Of course Gryphon had to go through twice! Then we stopped at a beach for a quick snack, then began the trip back. By now the waves had built up to around a foot or so over the shallow bars that extend out between the caves and the park. Gryphon, far from being worried, laughed hysterically as his boat jumped over and crashed down the bumpy surf. Once back in the protected bay I let him off the tow to try to paddle his way back to the beach. . .

So tomarrow it’s off to help guide a tour group to Sand Island. The same tour I did last year, and one of my favorites as we see many of the best sea caves in the Apostles. So time for an early night. . . First thing tomorrow I’ll gear out my warhorse for the day. Anytime I’m guiding or teaching in “big” water. My NDK Explorer comes out. Kitted out with tow rig and compass as well as tie downs on all the hatches this is the boat to guide trips with. Remember on these sorts of day trips we will carry extra food & water, dry clothing, first aid kit, repair kit, and all sorts of other gear to be sure we can keep ourselves and our charges safe. Still wish Kokatat would sell me a black MS. Fit. . arrrgggg!

For updated photos just go to my Flickr Gallery. I will update photos in the evenings to the ISS Gallery. Which I’m going to start as soon as I hit that little “publish post” button!

Well, today we’re heading north for the Inland Sea Symposium. For me, this is one of the most enjoyable symposiums I go to each year. The Apostle Islands are certainly one of the most beautiful sea kayaking destinations in the world. In addition this symposium brings in some of the top coaches from around the country as well, so it’s always a good learning experience. Even, for the other coaches. LOL!

While we’re there, I will wander over to a little coffee shop and post a picture or two along the way. I’ll also have my Ninja Trak along and my pretty Novorca paddle if you want to try them out. The hard part is just catching me when I have free time. LOL!!!

IF I hear from Greg & Freya I will let you know as well. I hope they get that Sat phone worked out!

Oh, and by the way take a moment to read about Justine Curgenven’s up-coming trip with Leon Somme & Shawna Franklin. Very Cool!

Oh, and, and. . . Hadas & Tomer are trucking around Newfoundland which seems to be quite an adveture. Remember you can watch them here.

And, And, And. . . (yeah it’s a busy year. . LOL!) Our local Mid-west boy, Sam is making time around Ireland. Follow his blog here.

and I’m sure I missed a couple, but if I don’t get going I’ll be setting up a tent in the dark tonight. . .

chat soon!!!

Alright then. I think we are back on course. I got a SMS message from Freya just a few minutes ago. So now that our first scare is over, just head over to Freya’s blog for updates as she get’s them to me.