Last Week of Keeners

With a scrape and a swoosh my boat slides down into the flat water next to Keenerville. I have made it with only a minute to spare (had I been late I would have won the fabulous prize of running Norman's without a skirt)! The Keeners have just been briefed on the trip that we will be taking tomorrow to the Lachine rapids on the St. Lawrence River in Montreal.

Our fabulous head coach Stephen Wright has just explained (with the help of a beautiful diagram) which waves to catch and how to catch them. He has also discussed the possibility of skirt implosions and broken back bands and the not-so-much-fun experience of swimming at the Lachine. It is with this background that we begin a very unusual flat water warm up.

We begin with three rolls of any kind. Then we progress to rolls without a back band or  with our knees out of their braces. Finally, we roll with our skirts completely off our boats. After emptying our boats we proceed to baby face wave to practice air screws. All of mine turn out to be major face plants, but even though I feel as though I have been slapped in the face I am really excited to be attempting the coolest trick on the planet. Eventually we paddle down to lunch and Garb. A torrential rain begins (which is awesome because it is really cool to paddle in the rain) and we surf and then head down the rest of the river. Hopefully the rains will bring the level up just a bit for the last few days of this Keener session.

Emptying out Boats after our Warm-up pre Lachine! 

My name is Jessie and this is my last session and also last blog ever as a Keener. I am sad to be leaving and I will miss this wonderful program so much! Thank you to all the people who make this program as amazing as it is and thank you Mom and Dad for sending me. I plan to have as much fun and kayak as much as possible in the next few days...

Week 2 of Keeners Begins

The fun never ends at the Keener program! Week 2 began with a Manic Monday the highlight of which was playing in the death slot. The death slot games involve two coaches moving a log around in a narrow slot while the Keeners practice boofing over or sliding under the log. This comical endeavour is a fabulous opportunity for the Keeners. We have the opportunity to deal with what would normally be very dangerous situations in a completley safe environment (the death slot is not at all scary) with supportive coaches. As we attempt to get over/under the log the coaches can give us tips and even lift the log if we get stuck. All in all, the log games in the death slot are very fun and hugely beneficial to any kayaker who seeks to pursue a future in creeking.

Log Games are fun! Photo by Rafa Ortiz

Today we woke up to a nice cool, cloudy morning. Most of the Keeners went for a refreshing run and then all of us completed some dynamic stretches. We will go down the main and probably surf some garb or push button this morning/afternoon. I will be focusing on sticking a blunt. This evening all the Keeners will go to the movies and we will see Batman!

Back to the Ottawa

This is me going off the ramp last year: So excited to be back for more fun! 

Hi everyone, my name is Jessie and this is my second year as a Keener. There are 8 girls here (a new record for the program) and it has been fun getting to know everyone. Yesterday was our first day on the water and my first day back on the Ottawa. We began the morning practicing basic skills and play boating fundamentals in the flat water. As we paddled a bald eagle soared overhead. Then we proceeded to run the main. Today we paddled to the lorn and surfed some Garb (which was hard to catch but still super fast and fun). This afternoon we ran McCoys and then everyone swam in the football eddy. Finally we practiced rescuing swimmers and emptying boats in moving water, which proved to be both challenging and immensely amusing. Both days were a fantastic start to my stay with the Keeners and I am very excited for all the excitement and fun coming up in the next three weeks!