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 Stylishly Beater Garb by Katie Jackson

     When nailing the big tricks on Garb gets boring, trying to link those tricks with beatering can be an exciting challenge and a great way to switch up your normal training routine. I recently began delving into stylish beatering by attempting to link window shades at the NOC hole. This advanced move proved trickier than expected when I realized switching seamlessly from one side surf to another doesn’t always work when you’re disoriented from rolling. Never less, it was perfect training for the bigger, faster water at Garb. Having previously wave boated but never surfed Garb, I was in the perfect position to stylishly beater.

     One may not simply beater, one must do so stylishly. Some people began their sessions by flipping during the ferry out, then attempting to catch the wave. This is a great trick to add some anticipation for the crowd- they have no clue if you’ll catch the wave or not! I personally prefer to start my ride like I know what I’m doing by catching the wave first. Once on the wave, I spend some time floundering my way to a position of control so that I may beater properly. I take an acceleration stroke on the left then lean hard right. By-standers may think I am trying to blunt, but in fact I am going for the infamous half-cartwheel to face surf. In order for it to be stylish beatering, the crowd must be able to tell which trick you are starting with before the beatering commences. This trick takes little to no time to master if you know the basics of blunting. The hardest part is to hold the face surf. I made the horrible mistake of dropping edges so that I actually threw ends. I am jealous of those who can hold the face surf for a solid five seconds or more. I hope to increase my skills in this field. The blunt-face surf is only one example of the many options for stylish beatering. I implore you all to challenge yourselves to not only beater but to beater stylishly.   

"The Value of Persistence" By Katie Jackson

"The Value of Persistence"

    The key to success is never accepting failure as the end product. I have now failed twice at trying to boof the pour over on the Lorne. I learned that if you go over a ledge sideways, it probably won't go well. The first time I surfed sideways for a while, embracing my inner damsel-in-distress, begging everyone for help. Max tried to hand me his paddle, but my poor grip ruined the plan. I got sucked back in and found a rock with the front of my boat. At that point, I said bad words and pulled my skirt. I swam to the bottom and thankfully popped up a few feet away. 

     My next experience with the pour over was essentially the same, only shorter. As soon as I landed sideways the second time, I knew my options were slim and the easiest way out would be to swim again. Thus, I swam to the bottom of the river a second time. Although the outcomes were identical, the experiences were drastically different. The first time I panicked with the fear of what was to come. The second time I was calmer and knew what the next steps would be. Even if the end result doesn't change immediately, persistence is important to gain experience and knowledge for each future attempt. That is why I plan on battling the pour over for the third time tomorrow. Fingers crossed that the third time's the charm! 

Thanks for reading! Katie. 

Watching Jack Boof at the Upper Petawawa

How to Maintain a Sugar High by Katie Jackson

*Disclaimer. This diet and advice is not Keener Mom approved. Please read with a grain of salt.... 

Most people think a good diet is necessary to sustain energy throughout the day. False. I have discovered the sugar high. It is a magical way to make sure you have enough energy to paddle hard through every rapid and playboat in between. The process is simple but requires preparation. 

     Start the day off with as much sugar as possible in order to jump start the rush. A bagel is only acceptable when loaded with butter, chocolate chips, brown sugar, and Nutella. At lunch, a hot chocolate should be the first thing you go for if cookies are not available. Four scoops of coco powder make for a concentrated amount of sugar in one cup. This should last the afternoon. At night you have to be sneaky. Each Keener is allowed one dessert. This can be a problem if you don't want to crash before bedtime. You must take your dessert, then send at least two more people to get you another. 

     If you want to come down slowly from your sugar high, eat a handful of chocolate chips before bed. Repeat the next day. 

Whirlpools of Death

"Whirlpools of Death"

Imagine never having seen waves taller than three feet or holes more than six feet wide. This perspective makes the Ottawa river pretty scary your first time. I've seen whirlpools before and even played in some, but none have compared to what I saw today. At the top of Butcher's Knife are the whirlpools of death. The rule was "no swimming, wait it out", and "only one Keener per whirlpool at a time." With the water level reaching 9 1/4 ft, these whirlpools easily sucked down entire kayaks. Watching the instructors get pulled under, I knew my next move: get away as fast as possible.

Coach Juanito drops into a whirlpool of death

Devyn Watches While Juanito Disappears