WMCKA Picture Day!
Published June 1, 2011 | 
I have two photo galleries for you today.. The first gallery is a variety of pictures from the 2011 WMCKA symposium as well as a few from the drive over and back. As you know, most of my galleries tend to wander all over the place just to catch the atmosphere. Camp Pendaloun certainly has atmosphere! Continue reading
Return of the Dragon
Published May 31, 2011 | 
On Saturday morning I paddled around Big Blue Lake, the site of the WMCKA kayak symposium early in the morning while a heavy fog shrouded the distant shoreline. My eye caught upon a log that looked amazingly like a dragon straight from the imagination of Terry Gilliam. I didn’t take a camera with me, but I had to get the shot. I carefully pulled my iPhone from the drybag and fiddled to get the camera up and working. Just as I was about to snap the shot, a heron burst from the shoreline toward me calling wildly, then just as suddenly it turned and began to fly away. I recovered from the surprise just in time to take this shot. Continue reading
I Love WMCKA!
Published May 26, 2011 | 
As if you couldn’t guess, I’m really excited to be heading off to the West Michigan Coastal Kayak Association’s annual symposium. ( Called WMCKA or WimKa for short.) Not only does WMCKA kick of the summer symposium season here in the Great Lakes region, but it’s also one of the top symposiums for beginners due to the calm warm water of Big Blue Lake and the world-class instruction. What’s more WMCKA has a strong contingent of traditional paddling & rolling instructors featuring the man, the legend himself, Doug Van Doren. After looking at my teaching schedule for the event, I can see I’ll be spending a good amount of time with Doug this weekend. 
Continue reading
Posted in Events & Symposia, Paddling | 
doug van doren, justine curgenven, keith wikle, ken fink, WMCKAHaving Been Restrung
Published May 26, 2011 | 
If you’ve been following along in earlier posts as I worked on putting leather lines on the skinboat, you’ve not seen the finished product. Here it is. Now I need to get back to work. Only one workday left before I head out to Michigan by way of Chicago for the West Michigan Coastal Kayaker’s Symposium. You know what the hardest part of preparing for a symposium is? Well, deciding what kayak to take of course! More on that later… IF i find the time.
The Groove Engine
Published May 24, 2011 | 
Last week I posted a picture of a singer and asked if anyone knew who the woman in the image was. The answer is Betsie Anderson. Betsie and Al Anderson are the owners and creators of the finely crafted Betsie Bay kayaks of Frankfort Michigan. Continue reading
It’s that time again…
Published January 27, 2011 | 
It’s the time of the season
When the love runs high
In this time, give it to me easy
And let me try
With pleasured hands
– zombies
Here in the Midwest there is a clear border between winter and “the season”. The season is that short window of time where we get to run out the doors like freaks and get our Ya-Ya’s out before we have to once again lock ourselves in out of the cold for another 4 or 5 months. Oh boy! Continue reading
Posted in Events & Symposia, Paddling | door county, great lakes sea kayak symposium, Inland Sea, QajaqTC, WMCKALend a hand at WMCKA
Published March 27, 2008 | 
This was in the box regarding the WMCKA symposium in Michigan:
Kathy Burmania is looking for a few folks who would like to volunteer a few hours at this years Symposium on Big Blue Lake over Memorial Day Weekend. People are needed to help with registration, parking, boat unloading, rodeo, assistance on the beach.
We would prefer that volunteers have attended at least one previous symposium.
If you are interested in helping, please contact Kathy at: kburm@aol.com
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