Day in LaChine

 Today we took a a different aspect to the keener program, and did not run the Ottawa river but instead we went to the Lachine rapids in Montreal. It was a pretty amazing day because it was a completely different type of surfing than I was used to.  Lachine is a more technical river because the currents are trickier than the ones in the Ottawa, and you really have to aim farther out than you think to catch the wave. The wave that I surfed today was Big Joe and the Pit, which were awesome due to the fact that the wave is easier to catch and it is really smooth, which makes it easier to throw tricks. On my first surf I just carved for awhile and threw some shuvits, later on when I had more confidence on the wave I started to throw spins, shuvits, and actually in my very last run I was able to throw a clean spin, which was pretty cool.

If I return to keeners next year, and we have a trip to Lachine again, I am definitely trying out pyramid wave, which requires more skill to hold onto the wave. This was one of the best days that I have had on keeners because it was like "ice fishing", very accelerating, it really took the energy out of you. I am so sore right know that it will also be one of the best sleeping days that I will have so far.

Robert's 2nd week

We're already in the second week of keeners, and many new events have happened. I learned many new things this week, one of them was that I learned my back-dack roll, which is pretty sweet because it will help me do new things such as a kick-flip off the wave in Garb. I'am really looking forward to learn new tricks such as a roundhouse, blunt, or an airscrew off the keener ramp. Tomorrow will be Bigwater Beatdown Bacon Thursday, which will be something new to me, since I did not have the chance to go on the first week due that I was learning my roll.  I'am planning to go left side Phill's and probably going to get beatdown, but that what it is for, so I'am really excited about it. I will be posting next week to see how everything is going on in keeners.

First Impression of Keeners

Nick Coddou (ABQ) goes off the Ramp while Black Dog chases him. 

This is my first time at keeners, it also is the first time that I have paddled a big water river, like the Ottawa River. My first impression when I got here was the beauty that the river held, plus all of its surroundings, although I was super nervous to go down, because I did not know what to expect. When I passed the first rapid, and got through it, I realized that nothing bad could happen. One of the things that can happen, is that your kayak flips and you get to roll, and in the worst case scenario is that you get to swim, which is not that actually bad. When I stopped thinking of the things that could go wrong,  I started to gaze upon how great  the river is and how thankful I am to be here. I am starting to learn new things thanks to all the great coaches, and I would love to learn more. I am really pumped to learned a different roll, as well as going off the ramp, which I have not have the chance yet. It has been great this passed days and I cant wait for the next two weeks, and going off the ramp.