"Being A Keener" - by John Sides

Being a Keener at OKS is a wonderful experience, for  it's an opportunity to explore more culture and different places in the world. Coming from the U.S., from the southern state of Alabama, I have realised a lot changes with the way people act. With examples of varieties of accents to the differences in vocabulary. It helps gives a better understanding of the world. I have also had the opportunity to meet some great coaches, such as James Metcalfe, Stephen Wright, Tyler Curtis and others that have helped on water and off water. The Ottawa is also such a blessing of a river, with humongous waves to surf that are really deep and safe, like Mini Bus, Vampire, Big Smoothie the waves are also great for learning new tricks that would be really difficult to learn anywhere else, such as blunt, helixes and air-screws. And the river has some good flatwater opportunities too, learning how to cartwheel and do flatwater loops. We also have special days in the wee, such as Race Day, Big Water Beatdown, and Competition day. Saturday and Sunday are free days, where you decide to rest or paddle with a group. With this choice, we have a check in and check list to know where people are and when they left.

Us Keeners will either run the Main Chanel, with rapids like Phil's, Lorne, Buseater, Butcher's knife, Shermans and Coliseum. Or the Middle with rapids such as Angle's Kiss, Butterfly, Garbs, Upper Nonane, and Lower Nonane. Some waves that we like to surf is Angle's kiss, Butterfly, Garb, Vampire, Big Smoothie, Cowboy, Big Bus, Little Bus, and the Coliseum Waves. Something else the Keeners like to do is play in the whirlpools at Butcher's Knife and play in the Sweet Apple Pie hole.

When we are off-water we will sometimes go to the mall and watch a movie and just have fun, we also go to the Wilderness Tour's Lodge to play games. We also do chores to keep everything clean, we also choose are menu, making our own food and eating out at the WT Lodge.A few Keeners have mastered the art of making food, like breakfast burritos and pancakes. This includes a few things about being a Keener.