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. 

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 do the best trick ever!!

How to Pan am!

A pan am is a super fun trick that is surprisingly easy to learn if you know already know how to air blunt! A pan am is a over vertical air blunt, the boat must be inverted and rotate 180 degrees while landing upright in a back surf or side surf. It is by far one of my best tricks as well as one of my all time favorites. Not to mention it looks awesome on the water! The steps to pan am are simple, yet they can become very complex if you make them.

1. Practice doing the blunt motion in the flat water.
2. Cycle to the top of the wave and charge down the wave on edge. Practice this step often so you make sure you can get good air.
3. Once you charge down on the wave on a edge and can get air, do the blunt motion.
4. As you air blunt, push on the paddle blade to turn the boat backwards, and flip your boat on top of you.
5. Once you are upside down, crunch with all your might to pull the boat underneath you. As you crunch, rotate the paddle blades so the water can pass under them, but you can still power the boat under you. 
6. Add a recovery stroke if needed!

While those steps may seem hard, once you break them down they are surprisingly easy. Then all you have to do is put them all together on the wave and you are all set!

The secret to doing a pan am is get the best take off possible. The best take off’s consist of hard edging, a strong initiation stroke. Most importantly do a pan am you need the confidence to flip the boat over on the wave. The pan am is a instant hit once you do it, and will absolutely “wow” your friends. The Keener program is a awesome way to learn this trick and many others, while you get to paddle sweet waves! Hope to see you out on the water!

Jacob Walker