When it comes to fashion it’s all about the shoes!

Black clouds came and went all weekend. Storms rolled, lighting flashed and the wind roared over the city streets out into the open waters of the mini-sea.  Occasionally, the sun came out.

The real trick on Lake Michigan this weekend was dealing with offshore winds that at times would broadside and roll a student in a flash. For the most part the wind became another walk down the path of experiential learning. Often though, it was just best to take the classes over to the harbor in more protected atmospheres.

There are lots of good things about symposiums. The best part is when a student realizes something they were struggling with was much easier than they thought.  They just needed to see it from a new angle.

There I was trying to keep a student upright when a shout came out over the wind. There was Ron Smith holding onto another student’s boat. He was in need of another paddle. . . I just felt good that I wasn’t alone out there!!

All I need are these PFDs. And nothing else. . and maybe that paddle. .  but that’s it. . .

So we walked down to the beach to load up our kayaks for a class in the harbor. After carrying the boats up and off the beach and loading up gear we drove across to the launch. No one was there. We drove back and walked down to the beach. There had been a change. Now the class was going to be held on the beach. In fact, they were meeting right where our boats used to be before we loaded them up again!! Yarg!!!

This was the second year for the Windy City Kayak Symposium and attendance went up as well. This year we had just over 100 students.

Terra Santa was never far away . .

There is always a “First Time”. . . like getting a parking ticket in Chicago. .

when I design a kayak It has to be at least this big. .

I had an opportunity to work a bit with Steve Scherrer (one of the guys behind the WS Tempest) to coach a boat control class. Steve has an interesting way lead students to a better understanding how their body, boat & blade work together through a sideways paddling exercise.

The weekends most popular phrase; “Slip & Grip”. (or grip and slip depending on which you like to do first. . )

So there we were. John Martin and I were walking through the streets of Hyde Park looking for a place to eat. At each corner a light would beckon us down another block. (then another, then another) Finally we arrived at a basement level Mexican restaurant lit in pink and blue neon and blasting out an eclectic mix of traditional, alternative, and old school punk music. Suddenly I was dining on the set of a Lynch movie. (minus the Nitrous Oxide. . )

You can say a lot of great things about Pete Jones of Anglesey, Wales, UK. . but you never really get the “Pete Jones” experience until you get a chance to listen to him tell you some tall tales. . .

Apparently on Sunday Barack Obama and family missed their opportunity to go for a paddle. . . Hell, the secret service could have borrowed my boat!

For all the rain and clouds my presentation came down to a battle with the sun. . . The sun won. Just a reminder that you can’t really hold video presentations on a beach before dark! (Steve on the other hand had little mini-cell boats. . . ) It was ok through. My poor laptop developed a black hole on the screen over the weekend as well. I’m calling Stephen Hawking for technical support. .

I’ll be posting the Video I’d prepared for Chicago online after I get it converted. . .

I had a class canceled and jumped at the chance to work with Kelly Blades in his Kayak Play class. . The students had us wildly outnumbered. . . by 1.

the skyline

Alec Bloyd-Peshkin has something amazing and magical to share. Good thing paddling gear makes you look a bit like Doug Henning. . . Of course I can’t possible describe it, but hopefully we’ll get a video later in the year. . “It’s Magic!”

There are two ways to see synchronized kayak rolling. The first way takes lots of work to prepare. . . the second takes lots of work to clean up. . and a mad rush to stop them from blowing out to sea.

Do you ever wonder what coaches talk about when they gather at the bar at the end of the days sessions. Teaching methods? Crazy Students?  Boat Design?  Well, you may be surprised to hear they may get caught up in an hour long conversation about their dogs.

now the thing about bums is. . .

Ginni Callahan stole my room! (not really)

Of course I’m just having a bit of fun. We had a great time at the symposium all in all. Sea Kayaking is an outdoor sport and the weather is just part of the experience. Ryan Rushton and crew went above and beyond to make the weekend a great time for everyone.  Besides, where else could one dine on pulled pork in the rain??

More:

Tom Eckels Symposium Report

Tom Bamonte’s Report

I drove down to Chicago in a mix of hard rain, storms and hot sun. The squalls seemed to come and go at just the right speed to make the simple decision to wear sunglasses or not quite frustrating.

I arrived at the site of the symposium just in time to do a quick change and get to my first class which I instructed with John Martin. (John also ended up my roomie for the weekend.) Now those squalls that had me regularly putting on and taking off my sunglasses also caused some havoc at the symposium. We found our self faced with the concept of teaching basic rescues without actually being on the water. (For a while anyway.) Just when I thought I had learned not to talk too much as I coach, the weather was forcing me to become one with my oragory skills! Thankfully John took the lead and I just played class clown.

The lightning finally gave way. The wind on the other hand continued to build. lightning The wind became so strong in fact that it was difficult for some students to stay upright. In some situations this may be a good experience for students. However the wind was blowing offshore which made things a bit dicier. In fact at one point a mad flock of empty kayaks came sailing down the beach threatening to take off and fly away toward Michigan. After a few faux-rescues turned into borderline real rescues we found ways to work in the shallows close to shore while someone was nearby to hold the boats in position. The day was certainly educational and definitely exhausting.

By 5pm I was heading over to the Ramada where Geneva Kayaks has kindly put us up. Now, wouldn’t you know they didn’t have my name anywhere???!!! (Well, they did but didn’t notice at the time) So I found myself heading back to the beach to find our host and work out the problem. Of course after going through that hassle I returned to a front desk person who was waiting to tell me she found the registration right after I left! Life’s an adventure.

I got to my room just in time to pass Kelly Blades who was on his way to join the coaches at the local pub or restaurant or bar or whatever it is they have here. . I’d have gone myself but a shower was calling and not that I’m cleaned up I have no idea where they are.

Oh and did I mention my computer has a sudden black spot on the screen?? That will be nice during my presentation. Oh, and I forgot my CF card reader! Good thing I have the Sea life along with its SD which plugs right into my now damaged laptop.

What a day hey?