monday week 3 by Pablo

The last week begins. I'm exited for what's ahead, but sad that in four days I'm not going to see all the good friends i've made during my stay. On the more positive side of things, today we started our first day of SRT training (swift water rescue technician) and I'm felling pretty confident about my awareness of hydrology and already feel much safer on the water. I'm also glad that i'll be able to finish the second day of it considering last year I had to leave early because of the unfortunate accident. Even better than getting to finish SRT is that by staying for the entire week,  i will be able to go on the keener trip which might (hopefully) be on the Gatineau river. Anyways I have to go to bed now because I started this blog late and unfortunately its not that long as a consequence. have a good one - Yannick, AKA Pablo

SRT at the Lorne

Hi , Yannick here, and i'm back for an'other session at keeners and i'm as stoked as EVAR!! I've been following a chiropractor for my back injury I sustained last year and feel confident about tackling the rivers biggest features. The first day wasn't   to harsh but great to get back in to the rhythm of thing at keeners. I'ts also great to see new faces and the old ones too as well as sharing laughs with everyone. I cant wait to get back  on the river tomorrow and throw down on the waves now that i know my back can handle it. t'ill Monday,  keep on keeping on!

My First Race Day

Giving the Thumbs Up after Swimming in our Swim Fest! 

Every Wednesday at Keeners, we do race day. This Wednesday was no exception. The day started out with some great starting drills for the beginning of the race. After those drills, we headed up to McCoys and divided into teams. Once we were split up, we headed to the start. The first race consisted of ferrying across satlers rock, where we had to touch Deuce's boat. After that we had to run the Satlers punch, and do the Hero ferry to the  Corner Wave eddy. While Going down Satlers, I flipped over and lost the race- the worst part is I ended up in the Football Eddy, on the wrong side of the river! LOL.

 The second race was down the Lorne. We had to boof, touch moby dick rock, and then ferry across to touch the river right wall. I finished with a time of 1:06, despite being sucked back by the waterfall below the boof.

The third and final race was down the first part of coliseum. It was a fierce, free for all 8 ball race. It consisted of other Keeners trying to flip us over. Sadly, I got worked in the last hole, but at least I didn't swim this time!!

The day ended with surfing, and an all out swim war where we all made eachother swim. It was an awesome day!

Yannick's First year at Keeners

Hi I'm Yannick and this is my first entry chronicling my journey in the kayaking world. It is my third day here, and already I've learned a lot. With the help of the great coaches I've challenged waves I never thought of doing, overcame the panic of being underwater, and successfully completed my combat roll. I feel can feel my skill level rising fast, and I want to keep pushing it. Today was my first day of swift water rescue training (SRT) and with the knowledge I've gained, I am a much better kayaker, and more importantly, a safer one. As a group we saved swimmers with throw-bags, and even saved "unconscious" kayakers with the tethered swim technique. At the Keeners residence I've made new friends, and we are always having a blast, no matter what! I can't wait to see what tomorrow has to offer, but the name sounds promising: "Big Water Beat Down Thursday"- Sounds like a lot of laughs!