So This Is What Goodbye Feels Like - Charlie Barbera

This the last day of Keeners. It's been 19 days so far. 456 hours. Countless memories. As I stare at the words on my laptop I feel pensive- melancholy- almost sad. The 21 friends I have made in this incredible experience will scatter to the winds by tomorrow- to Alabama and Germany- British Columbia and Connecticut. The world. My heart starts to race as I realize today will be my last day on the water with some of these fantastic people. Moments throughout these three weeks flash through my mind. Moments of David's attempt at a Back Panam. Moments of Carl leaving a case of Nutella open and provoking the wrath of Brooks. Moments of Clay and Steve-O and Nick and Kaleb and Joel and Bren and Anna and Sandra- teaching us. Showing us the beauty of whitewater- the passion they have turned to one of the greatest sports of all time. I have met people that were giants in the kayaking world, role models and idols to me. I have never been at such a loss for emotion. I have been excited all session. The adrenaline, the rush the joy of kayaking one of the greatest rivers with some of the greatest current paddlers and some of the greatest future champions- and now it's over. So this is what good-bye is. How do you say goodbye to such a group of people that have changed your life forever?  How do say thank you for making my world so much brighter? How can you ever find words for this moment? You can't. This is one of those goodbyes that burns in the heart, a fire that words won't quench. This is a goodbye that lingers on the mind, right in the corner, always watching. This is a goodbye to all of the friends I have made, all of the teachers I have gained, all of the family I have found. To David and David. To Jake and Jake. To Bennett and Hunter and James and Holly and Bella and Caroline and William and Brooks and Kyle and Garrett and Parke and Katie and Kate and Cat and Ray and Caelan and Carl. This is NOT goodbye- this is see you on the river.

How to Stay Awake at Keeners - Hunter Gibson

Keeners is an amazing program where you are on the water almost 5 hours every day for three weeks. This is amazing, you get so much better and gain so much confidence in your kayak. As a relative beginner last year and coming back this year I am confident to class four rapids and can, and have run some class fives with no paddling outside of keeners. I am always amazed at what I can do in a playboat. But there is a downside. You have these amazing coaches that paddle everyday year round or at least if the snow/ice permits. Well, they never get tired. But you will. You may not admit it to yourself until you are off the water but then you realise, wow I'm falling asleep during speech night, or, I can't focus on the rappelling because I'm so sleepy and this harness is so comfortable. Well do I have the answer for you! It's called sleep. You need to catch up on it. Go to bed early, no one is going to judge you. It's not like you are going to miss much, and others may follow suit saying things like "sounds like a plan". Really it's worth doing you will love it in the morning. When Anna comes around to wake you you will be thankful as you pop up long before your roommate and feel twice as good. There is only one problem with this plan, Keeners is a loud place, unless your roommates go play monopoly or watch a movie in the thunderdome it could be quite difficult to fall asleep. The easiest way to solve this is by putting a good movie on in the thunderdome. If you went to sleep early and you still don't feel like the god of thunder ready to take on the mighty ottawa. Well that means you are muscle tired. The easy fix for this is lots of stretching and a rest day. You are encouraged to take a rest day once every weekend, But im saying take two. If you really hurt, and if you do you will know what I mean, then take two rest days. Even Anna who lives here throughout the summer takes a rest day every weekend (from us, and the river). If that doesn't convince you then your screaming body halfway through your second week will. Take a rest day, sleep, surely there couldn't be anymore I can do, and I still feel terrible. Well now we get technical. What hurts? Is it your legs? then you should take a look at your outfitting. Is it your hands? Look at your paddle. Your back? You should actually do more backstrokes and try to stretch it out on the ground. If all else fails ask Anna, she is a professionally trained yoga instructor and is happy to help with anything, except boat related things, for that goto Stevo or Clay Wright. If none of that works still go to Anna and say hey anna I hurt and nothing makes me feel better not the stretches you gave me and I have changed everything about my boat I think I'm broken. She will tell you either to tough it out or if she thinks you are actually broken she will take you to the doctor. That is all you can do. thanks for reading!

The keys to a successful keener session!- Jacob Walker

The keys to a successful keener session!

1. To have a successful session you must have a expectation of goals or ideas of the things you want to complete. With out goals you aren't going to learn anything because you won't expect anything of your self. The best way to make myself grow is to choose goals that make me really uncomfortable, or even choose a  “unreachable” goal. Then I break down this unreachable goal into smaller more manageable goals. One of my goals this session was to do a Bread and Butter combo on the wave. A Bread and Butter is a forward blunt linked to a opposite reverse blunt. It is a super fun combo, but definitely a hard one to learn. I knew that if I didn't break my goal down, it would be impossible to reach quickly and efficiently. I broke my goal down into 5 smaller goals. In doing this I was able to learn how to do this combo move in only 2 weeks! 
2. You must prepare physically before you come to keeners, otherwise your body will not be able to stand up to the rigors of the keener program. If you aren't in good shape, you will not be able to paddle hard all day and be successful. When you can’t paddle hard all day then it makes it difficult to achieve those goals that you outline. If you are in shape, the keener program will help you to get into even better shape!
3. More important than these other points, you must have a desire to learn. Without a desire to learn you might as well not even come. The keener program is a unique opportunity that most kayakers only dream about. Do not squander this chance. One way you can show your desire to learn is by asking questions that relate to your goals. This will be a huge asset to you. 

If you do all these things you will have a awesome time, you will learn tons, and you will be able to reach at least one or more of your goals! Even if you don’t completely reach one of your “unreachable” goals, you will absolutely have a solid foundation on which to keep working.

See you on the water!

Jacob Walker

Baby Steps are Key by Katie Jackson

     Writing goal sheets is one of the first things we do at keeners. They are important to let the coaches know what we want to work on, and to give ourselves something to work towards. They need to be attainable goals- for example perhaps don't list the "flatwater phonics" when you still find it difficult to get more than three ends cartwheeling as I did. Stephen and Clay also pointed out the making it your goal to win something is not a great idea since you have no control over how the other competitors will compete. You could have the best ride of your life, but perhaps someone else has the best ride of their life and it's better than yours. Should you be disappointed that you lost? Definitely not. You should be thrilled on hitting your best ride yet! 

     One of my goals was to be able to back paddle longer. I'm still glad I made this a goal (especially since my posture has now improved), but I realize a flaw in it. I never specified how long I want to be able to back paddle. I've now made it from the sneak all the way to the Lorne backwards three times. I'm thrilled I've made it that far, but now I'm not sure if I've finished my goal or not. Yet, this question made me realize something else crucial about goals. They can evolve and be never ending. Perhaps there can be multiple levels of achievement within each goal, which is why I really liked Claire's skill wheel. In this wheel, each goal has different levels so that the goal may be accomplished in pieces. It's much more gratifying to be able to mark off bits of progress rather than waiting for the final check mark of completion. It's also much more realistic. Back to the back paddling example: the first stage could be to make it from the sneak to the main current; second stage to make it to the Lorne; and third to make it to the Lorne and back. This gives more gratification throughout the process instead of frustration that I haven't yet accomplished the final goal. Baby steps are key. They can make any goal feel within reach and ensure you have a process to reach the final check mark. 

How to win eternal glory (red ribbon) - Jacob Fulford

Now I know many of you who are reading this blog don’t know what the red ribbon is, so let me fill you in. At keeners you win different colored ribbons for different achievements. Gold ribbon for winning competition Friday, blue ribbon for best blog, green ribbon for best speech, pink ribbon for winning race day and red ribbon for winning Big Water Beat Down Thursday. Ribbons mark accomplishments that you can then attach to your gear to show off to everyone one the river.

Now that you are somewhat filled in I can elaborate on the more important part, HOW TO WIN ENTERNAL GLORY!!!!!!!!!!

Step #1: find something that intimidates you and then throw your self into it

What intimidates you will probably be different from what intimidates someone else. But if you want the get the red ribbon you have throw your self into the burliest biggest badest hole.

Step #2: keep moving.

When you’re in the hole you have to keep moving, keep paddling to stay in the center and try not to drift off the sides to much. If you find that you’ve been upright and in control for to long, it’s a good idea to throw in a couple up stream braces to initiate some tumbling

Step #3: You MUST want it

To have a fighting chance at winning the red ribbon or having a honourable mention you must want it, you have to eat, sleep and breath getting trashed. You have to paddle back into the hole no matter what.

Now if you follow these 3 easy steps you could be like me next Thursday.

Optional Qualifications that help:

Be able to hold your breath for an absurd amount of time (last year I broke a keener record with 1m47s)

Own hand paddles (they add style points while giving you a tad bit more control)

Get hit by a raft (I'm semi seriously but really don’t they hurt a lot(you didn’t hear it from me))

Get someone to record it (having it on video will then make it official and then people will know forsure that your deserving the ribbon)

THINGS TO NOT DO:

Swim – swimming highly reduces your chance at winning a red ribbon, if you feel out of breath just push threw until your back up right then surf/spin out

Be in control – yes being in control is generally a good thing with your in a gnarly hole but on Thursday’s it wont help you at all you want the get thrashed and be out of control while staying in the hole, it really an art in my opinion, getting a good beat down is rather majestic and rare, like a unicorn

Now if you’ve read this far down I must say thank you and I hope that my blog has been helpful. And if you are doubting what I’ve said I should let you know I'm a two time red ribbon winner and these steps have been proven to work

What Scares Me - By Kate Rowan

What scares me?

The dark… boogy men… junk food… violence… family death… hatred… guns… mean cats… a world without tea… dieing… snakes… people addicted to their cell phones… horror movies… being stranded… Shakespeare… and quite a bit more!

My name is Kate Rowan and I am a terrified keener from British Columbia, Canada. Though this is where I call home, it will not be where I live for very much longer. Three weeks from now I am moving to Pune, India, where I will live and study for 2 years on my own without my family.

Keeners can be a very challenging program if you embrace every opportunity you are presented with. Even though at keeners I rarely see mean cats, boogy men or Shakespeare, (unfortunately I can’t hide from the dark or junk food) there are a lot of frightening endeavors to take part in. Frequently, I find myself questioning why at school we always hear the word liability and yet here it is never mentioned.

When it comes to kayaking my fears fall under the same umbrella as all the rest, doing new things that could make me miserable. On Big Water Beat Down Bacon Thursday we generally go to McCoys, the largest rapid on the Ottawa at this level, and we do things we have never done before that terrify us. This Thursday also included cliff jumping where we were not allowed to jump of the rocks normally. We received copious amounts of pushups if we didn’t do a spin, a flip or something else scary and cool! Later we found ourselves surfing inflatable animals, bought at Walmart, through Left Side Horseshoe and the subsequent wave train. After dinner we had ropes and knots, coined “knots for gnar” by Brooks, where I repelled off a 160 ft crane. Overall, the day was filled with intimidating challenges for all walks of the human race.

I feel extremely grateful that I have come to Keeners in the intimidating weeks preceding moving twelve time zones away from anyone or anything familiar. All the challenges I undertake here in one day put in perspective the challenge waiting just around the corner.

With every endeavor that scares me, the first few seconds are the worst. When I paddled out of the safety and comfort of the eddie above Rightside Phil’s I was shaking. I couldn’t tell if it was a result of being cold or nervous. I hit the first wave and a second of panic prickled through me, my instincts telling me to go back. After squealing, “Mommy,” in a voice not dissimilar to that of a toddler, the foam pile hit me and it was all gone. Fear becomes fun! Okay... so being trashed and beat down in Phil’s may not be the most comfortable, especially if you get sucked into other holes (Baby Face and Leftside Horshoe) after, but it isn’t scary once you’re past the initial shock.

These terrifying experiences instil confidence in me that leaving home will be scary for the first couple hours but soon I will settle into the comfort of living in a completely different culture all alone. Then it’s just like getting beat down. The unfortunate part about having done keeners before is that beat downs in Phil’s become more controlled. On the other hand, living abroad will also become more controlled and comfortable once I get used to the beat down!

One of our coaches, Nick, said,“with positive thinking, a good attitude and lots of work you can do anything.” You can sit in the eddie above Phils all day. It takes mental strength to take the initiative and to throw yourself into the hole as it does to say goodbye to your home.

Think positively. You need to acknowledge the risks but focuses on the potential gains you will get personally from challenging yourself to do something scary and new. Good attitude. Once you're in the meat of Phil's or twelve time zones away, you need to grit your teeth and find the good in a less than perfect situation. Finally you need to put in the work. Sometimes a situation cannot be adequately changed by only your outlook so then you need to put in the work to get what you want. I spend a lot of time face surfing when I want to blunt. The only way to get there is to work hard, have a good attitude and think positively!

The next challenge in my life is days away. I am incredibly thankful that I have had the opportunity here at keeners to entrench further in my thinking that I will be fine if I think positively, have a good attitude and work hard in the challenges to come in my life!

P.S Thank you to the coaches, keeners and most of all my parents! I’m ready now to hit the foam pile with a big smile on my face!

German vs. English
Kanu Slalom vs. Playboating

As I heard that I had to write a Blog, I was very concerned if my skills were good enough, but Keeners help Keeners so a couple of people are actually helping.
The first day was one of the most exciting days in my life. I got to know a bunch of awesome people, a new river, and a new country. So everything was new! After 8 h flight and waiting hour after hour I finally got to know my new freinds, and I love them since the first second.
After saying hello and eating dinner we went kayaking at Babyface, so another couple of challenges I had to manage with:1. Playboat insted of a Slalomboat 2. a Paddle with 0 degrees angle (I was used to 55 degrees) 3. Could not surf at all 4. I was super tired because of the time difference. Although I had things to manage I survived my first hours with 4 Rolls and the first spin of my life.
Now, 7 Days later, I try myself in cartwheels and surfing in Sattlers, still rolling.

Dropping in from Moby Dick: How to - Bennett Fleming

Garburator is by far one of, if not the best waves on the Ottawa. Solid cycling, fast moving water and huge bounces are all traits of this amazing feature, but one trait deters many from trying the wave. The entry. Entry into Garb is tricky by normal means. Attempting to paddle out is tricky, as the two curlers forming the V will flip an unsuspecting kayaker, and even when you know how to catch it from the eddy, it still may be tough to catch. A simple trick is to drop off of Moby Dick rock. When the water drops low enough, Moby Dick is the rock that pops up right beside Garb. Dropping in from the rock is one of the most simple and reliable way to catch Garburator, and personally, the most fun.

Step 1: Get on Moby Dick
There are two options here: getting out of your boat and walking up or paddling on to it. Getting out and walking is simple but slow, and paddling up is fast but troublesome. The way to paddle up is to go to the top of the eddy, and then read the surges of water. When you are almost in the current, look and paddle towards the rock, and you will be pushed right up on to it.

Step 2: Position yourself
Once you are on the rock, you can walk or shuffle your boat to the edge of Moby Dick near the front. I find that the perfect spot is right next to the square shaped cut in the rock. Make sure you are right up on the side such that you can easily shuffle or push off.

Step 3: Shuffle or slide off
Once it is your turn, you can shuffle yourself off, or use your paddle to push off. Make sure that you stay completely parallel to the rock as you push off and to drop your right edge as you fall. Take a few paddle strokes and you are on Garb.

Congratulations! I hope this has been a helpful guide to dropping off Mody Dick onto Garb.

Bennett Fleming

The Art of Re-Purposing - Charlie Barbera

Every morning when I've woken up, after our morning athletic activities, I tromp on over to Robertson's to enjoy a delicious breakfast. Each morning I toast a couple of pieces of bread and cover them in bacon. However the morning before I noticed the most incredible thing. The refrigerator at Robertson's was chock-full of things we were never going to use. A third of it was taken up completely by three containers, one of plum sauce, one of veggie dip and one full of pickles. There also happened to be a huge tray of chicken. Now I realized that if some of the supplies were- used to an effective cause, we might substitute them for something more... delicious (ie. Bacon). Smiling to myself I took out a huge metal tray and laid out several of the pieces of chicken onto the tray. I took my knife and cut several incisions in each of the pieces. Then I slid the plum sauce out of the refrigerator and gently poured the contents of it onto the tray, sliding the molten, golden liquid over every bit of visible chicken I could find. The next morning we grilled the chicken in the pan and were graced with a beautiful breakfast. And the best better? We now had even more room in our fridge for bacon.

How to eat a Keener’s breakfast by Ray Barbera

Breakfast is the most important part of the day. And keener’s have a ritual to eat a proper breakfast down pat so you are ready to paddle for seven hours. We have the right balance of sugar and protein well mostly.

Step 1: Get your dishes out. The utensils and plates you use depends on the meals. So say you are having a BLT so you get you paper towel for the bacon and your plate ready for the toast with the tomatoes and lettuce already on bam! Three minutes and you have a ready breakfast

Step 2: Prepare the food. You can’t just jump in and cook because if you do that then most likely will forget something and make a mess when you realise you forgot the oil on the pan for the eggs and they stick on the pan.

Step 3: Cook the food. I shouldn’t have to explain this but I will. So as an example of a way not to cook bacon by Clay Wright. Turn stove on high, put bacon in the pan and then the pan on the stove, leave and fill the cabin with smoke. SO now we know what not to do.

Step 4: Most likely you will love this step the most. This is the step where you eat. Alright I don’t think I need to teach you how to eat.

Step 5: Last but not least you have to clean your dishes. Let me repeat this for some of the keeners I live with you have to clean your dishes. Now I know this shouldn’t be hard to do because I’ve done it. But because people walk off without cleaning their dishes they have made a rule. You have to do 15 pushups and still you have to clean your dishes.

Now don’t make the same mistakes that other keeners do and don’t skip breakfast because you will need the energy for kayaking the rest of the day.

Signing off

Ray Barbera

How to flatwater loop - Garrett Madlock

For the past few weeks, I have learned a lot about looping from the best coaches ever. Before coming to keener's I already knew how to bow stall. Here's a few steps towards learning how to flatware loop!

1. Get good at bowstalling for a long time
2. Use your paddle to pull down and push up to pump the boat up and down
3. Pull down hard after a few pumps
4. Thrust your body upward and reach for the sky
5. While in the air, tuck forward quickly
6. Before the boat touches the water, lean back and pull hard on both paddle blades
7. Once the boat lays flat you can sit up and paddle away

You now know how to loop!

Down the Rabbit Hole - Holly Wilson

     One of the few on going jokes here at keeners between me and a few others has been "Welcome to the Rabbit Hole".
   
      Now before I begin explaining this, this is my first year at keeners. I have always seen and admired kayakers from afar for a long time. I have been coming to Wilderness Tours since I was approximately ten years old but only for rafting and every trip I would see these people in small boats chatting with any rafter or other boater that came across like they were best friends. Looking back I'm not sure if I was more interested in the lifestyle or the kayaking, but overall it lead me to want to kayak for years. Finally, last year, after years of begging, I was enrolled in the Teen Resident Camp here at WT and fell in love with kayaking.

     This is essentially where the "Rabbit Hole" joke begins. As I begun kayaking I quickly learned that almost everyone in this sport is crazy in their own beautiful way. Most of the people in Teen Camp were strange insane weirdos who knew how to have a good time and make a good time out of a situation that wasn't too happy. Those who knew how to have a good time though made the best of camp and made it that much more enjoyable and crazy. Now take all of those who knew how to have a good time put them all in one camp. Except instead of about six crazy teens you now have twenty-one who all get along and are insane in their own special way and you have the session 2 of 2015 keeners.

     This is where the "Rabbit Hole" joke truly began. Already on the first day I realized what a crazy bunch we truly were and made the joke that "we're going down the rabbit hole" as a reference towards the Alice in Wonderland  book. One keener, named Hunter Gibson turns to me ad says "No welcome to the rabbit hole". I have realized over the past week that this statement is extremely true. Not only do you have "to be off your rocker to want to white water kayak", as once said by fellow keener Charlie Barbera, but the wonderful adventures and memories Alice makes while in Wonderland also apply to this program. It may only be week one but I have already found friends who accept me for my odd traits and have their own and also friends who will last more than just this session.

     Overall, although it may seem slightly inappropriate to use the "Welcome to the Rabbit Hole" reference when talking about keeners at first, when thought is put into the joke it is actually a wonderful testament to the adventures and insane (meant in both ways) people working and living here with us this session at keeeners.

~ Holly Wilson

How to swim over a log by parke miller

How to swim over a log

Step 1.Decide either to go head first or feet first if you go head first or feet first you are going to what to be as high a you can so you dont hit the log.

Step 2. After you have decided start swimming toward the log get prepared to either go over the log or or put your feet on it and walk toward the side.

Step 3. Jump over or walk to the sides of the log when you make it to the log.

Step 4.Try not to get stuck on the log or go under it.

Step 5.Try in the first place not to swim into a log it is just not a smart idea.

So after you have completed all these step you have either run to the log gone over the log or you went under the log. For more information take a swift water rescue class.

How to rescue a swimmer with a throw bag - Kyle Neese

If you’ve been kayaking long enough, you have probably come across a swimmer.  Weather it is someone in your group or just a random person floating by, it’s probably to theirs and your benefit to save them. So… I’m going to walk you step by step through how to rescue a swimmer with a throw bag.

Step 1: Get throw bag out of kayak and hold in throwing hand

Step 2: find a good place next to the river

Step 3: Make sure you position your feet on a rock so when tension is applied the rope doesn’t pull you in

Step 4: Take the end of the rope and go around your waste. Grip the end of the rope under the knot and the rope going around the other side of your waste together with non-throwing hand.

Step 5:  When the swimmer gets close to you, notify the swimmer that you are throwing a rope by yelling “ROPE ROPE ROPE!!!!!”.

Step 6: Throw the rope further than the swimmer but make sure the rope lands close or on the swimmers chest.

Step 7: Sit down, prop your feet against a rock, and get ready for the tension.

Step 8: Try and make sure the swimmer swings into an eddy downstream.

Step 9: Once the swimmer is safe and out of the water, stuff the throw bag in a threading motion and get ready to for next time.

How to be a winner on Race Day Wednesday

When racing, it is easy to get over-competitive and focus all of your energy on beating your opponents instead of doing the best you can. Instead of a sport it becomes a war, every man for himself, and in the end everyone besides one winner leaves feeling angry and disappointed. At Keeners we learn that this is not the right way to race (unless your aim is self-loathing and decline).

As the wise Nick Troutman once said:
"Race day isn't about beating the others, it's about beating yourself yesterday. Actually change that to 'it's about beating the man you were yesterday', that sounds better."

And he's right. On Race Day Wednesday, we put our effort into being the best we can rather than being better than someone else, so that we can continue to improve as kayakers. For example, when preparing for the final race of the day, the Great Colosseum Boatercross, I was feeling pretty optimistic. I recognized it as a challenge, but I thought I had a shot at winning because my planned line seemed "unique" and "fast". But when the race kicked off, I found myself stuck on a rock and then upside-down almost before Stephen could say "Go!". Also, literally everyone in my group did my "unique line". I finished the race last, but I was more disappointed about not sticking my line.
I was not alone, so we decided to have a "Loser's Cup", for those looking to end the day on a better note, and it was great! I didn't win, or even come second-- but I did my line exactly how I wanted without flipping or any major halts. It feels good man, to "beat yourself yesterday" (or in this case "yourself ten-minutes-earlier"). Racing not only tests your abilities, but also your mindset. And with the right mindset, you are always a winner.

Nick Troutman, keener coach and cool guy.

A different Nick Troutman, not as good at kayaking
or giving inspirational quotes.

David Koyrakh, Week 2

Times Fly - Brooks Botta

It's hard to believe that so much time has already! The halfway mark for Keeners has officially past, but it seems as though I have only been here a few days! Over the past few weeks, I have developed many new tricks, and increased my river prowess through swift water rescue! But, just as importantly, I have cultivated many friendships. Through many groans in the weekly morning Yoga sessions, to cheers as you are finally able to nail a trick after numerous failures; the comradery grows quickly. The Ottawa is an amazing river and allows you to develop very quickly as a boater. My kick flips are becoming more consistent and the blunts are finally making sense! 

Even though swift water rescue class may sound like a drag, it is unbelievably fun, and allows you to protect yourself, and friends on the river! One of my favorite activities has to be the "Log Game"; a log is put in a narrow chute that can be quickly removed in order to confront Keener's with scenarios that may make them uncomfortable. Keener's then swim the chute and attempt to swim over the top of the log. Over the course of the event, we were clotheslined by the log numerous times to the giggles of other students while some managed to swim over to the shock of others! I am grateful to say that I have spent these days at a wonderful camp with great friends! 

Brooks Botta 

Early Morning Garb by Katie Jackson

     Weekends at keeners are pretty amazing. We get to do whatever we want (with some limitations) or do absolutely nothing all day. Typically, I would enjoy sleeping in after a long week’s work on the water, but this past Saturday a group of us decided it was a brilliant idea to get up early to surf Garb. When my alarm went off, I regretted the decision immediately. We fumbled our ways out of bed and to the kitchen. Thankfully before Kate and I began cooking, we got word from Jacob that he would make pancakes- best news ever!! The pancakes definitely made me much more excited about the epic surfing waiting to be had on Garb. We were not sure if there would be a line or not at 7:30 am, but figured at least there wouldn’t be a mob of keeners to fill the eddy at that hour. The paddle to Garb was strangely quiet  since there were no rafts or other boaters on the water. The lake was so still that you could see perfect reflections of the shore. Sadly when we got to the wave there was a line of about four people already there. Thankfully two of those people were Nick (our coach) and his wife Emily Jackson. You can learn a lot from watching them boat.

     After thirty minutes the wave emptied. The only people that remained in the eddy were Garrett, Kate, Jacob, and I. Rides were going great and since we alternated filming, we have evidence of our success! It was pretty sweet to have a short line and therefore more chances to practice everything the coaches suggested during the week. My goal: lift my knees more on the takeoff of my blunt. I practiced the whole morning and actually starting to land my right blunts! Kate got awesome spins and controlled surfs, Garrett started to hit air screws, and Jacob hit huge front and back pan-ams. It turned out getting up early and hitting the wave at a quiet time is the best idea we’ve had so far. With more rides in a shorter time, we got to really work on our tricks without worrying about flushing and having to wait in line for another fifteen minutes. I would definitely recommend getting up early to future keeners! (But only for one morning… Sleep in the next day)

Video :)

                                                                                                        

How to have an awesome time on the bus - Bella Szpala

1. Seating. Sit with and around people who you know are gonna be fun to talk to. 

2. Music selection. Popular, fun songs are great for everyone to sing along and dance to. 

3. Food. Have it. 

4. Be loud. You're gonna be talking over the bus and other people, so be sure to yell right in your friends faces. 

5. Seat (not seating). Make sure that it isn't wet. Having pants you would like to stay dry get wet really sucks. 

6. Conversation. What did you do that day? Did anyone get a nice beat down? Or just joke around. The best jokes are made on the bus. 

7. Destination. You don't need one. 

8. Control. Don't get so loud the driver has to yell at you, because that's no fun. And remember that if you're getting tired that staring out the window is a great pastime with some amazing views. 

Right Side Phil's Skills - Kate Rowan

Right Side Phil's... duh, duh daa...

Simply put, Right Side Phil's generates fear and anxiety. It's a big, fast, sticky and thrashing hole that will likely surf you for just under a minute (including face surf time). The funny thing about it is the less skill you have the better you will do in Right Side Phil’s.

If you are a talented kayaker that is a shame for you as you may need to invest some time in working on Right Side Phil's Skills.

Skill #1 - Ignore All Risks

As a new kayaker you are often unaware of some of the risks on the river and overcoming fears can be easier. In other words, as you sit in the eddy before your trip into Right Side don’t think about it and just go for it. Don’t worry about not hitting Right Side Phil’s. If you are like me and hitting the tongue is an event that is worth having a party for, you are most likely going to land in it anyways based on your lack of experience.

Skill # 2 - Lamp Shade

The lamp shade technique is a fundamental skill for surfing Right Side. To gain an appreciation for Phil’s speed simply place your paddle on the upstream side of your boat. You will then violently face plant into the water. No need for the spa as your nostrils will be cleaned very effectivly. Then just as violently the water will catch your paddle and you will once again be violently ripped back out of the water. Practice makes perfect. Insure that you consistently practice your lamp shade and try creating a combo with face surfing for optimum results.

Skill # 3 - Face Surf

Unlike the lamp shade you do not need to worry about the face surf rolling you back up. Taken from the Webster's Dictionary of Imaginary Words, Face Surf: is to utilize the facial structures to continuously guild the movements of ones body in a disastrous and violent manner while surfing. Appreciate your nose as it naturally works as a keel to insure your face surf is straight and orderly. 

Skill #4 - Waiting

Right Side Phil’s has a mind of its own. You may be flushed immediately if he likes you. On the other hand you may spend many minutes in his loving embrace. Waiting is all about resisting the urge. You may be tempted to swim or take a breath. Keep in mind that though breathing in water is really good for cleaning out your lungs it’s not a very efficient way to breath and I would suggest breathing less humid oxygen. The key is to wait out his rath in your boat. Swimming will lead to a lot of work for you and your friends. 

If you are new to kayaking or you train hard developing Phil’s fundamentals you may just have what it takes to Surf Right Side Phil’s. Good luck my friends!

How To Perfect a New Trick

1. Find a trick to work on

  

I think this should be fairly self explanatory. However, I’d recommend finding only one trick to work on, as trying to prefect 5 tricks at once can only result in lots of general confusion. If you’re focused on getting one trick, you’ll get it much sooner and better than otherwise.

2.  Prepare yourself for huge amounts of failure

One of the best parts of learning a new trick is falling on your face. Repeatedly. Sometimes, depending on the trick, even painfully! Theres nothing better. But, no matter the trick, its almost a certainty that you won’t get it the first time. If you can accept that you’ll be failing a massive amount of times, it’ll go a long way to actually getting the trick.

3.  Focus

Eat, sleep, and breathe the trick. If you aren’t annoying your friends with constant conversation about whatever trick you’re working on, you aren’t focused enough. Dream about it. And most importantly, every time out on the water go for it. Even if there’s a long line, or the water levels aren’t right, go for it. Eventually, it has to work.. right? This leads directly to the fourth step-

4. Sticking it once

Finally, after days of failure, swearing, and frustration, you’ve stuck the trick for the first time! Four times out five, you’ll proceed to not get it again that day. This will lead to a dramatic increase in swearing and frustration. But, if you don’t give up, it’ll lead to the final best step-

5. Perfecting it!

Finally, after days or weeks of working on it, so much failure and frustration, you’ve gotten the trick down! This is the best feeling ever, and you’ll get to show off to all your friends and get to the point where you can throw that sick trick like it’s nothing. Then, when you’re ready, you can go back to step one and start the whole process over again. Theres no better feeling than getting a new trick, and despite all the work that goes into it it’s so worth it!