10 Ways To Not Run A Rapid: By Andrew Slothower

Running a rapid can be a very fun way to get a good adrenaline rush it is however important to do this in a safe manner to manage risk. Here are a few major do nots while running rapids.

1. Backwards is a bad idea cause you often can’t see where you are going and that can be dangerous. 

2. One hand on the paddle is often a bad idea due to the control list by not having a hand on the paddle.

3. Upside down is yet another bad idea for the same reason as the backwards due to the lack of vision. 

4. Running a rapid without a skirt is a bad idea given the amount of water that could get in your boat without any form of protection. 

5. Running the rapid without a boat is also a bad idea given that without a boat it is harder to control the boat. 

6. Running a rapid fully in the nude would not be a good idea given the consequences a run in with a rock would have on your skin. 

7. Running a rapid with no prior experience as a human (such as being an infant) is also a bad idea given your very small body would get messed with in waves and holes. 

8. Running rapids with a pack of bears and wolves would be a bad idea given how scared you would be it might distract you and you may end up swimming. 

9. Running a rapid during a military attack on your area may not be a good idea given that the government may need your assistance in the fight. 

10. Running a rapid during all out nuclear warfare is a terrible idea given the toxic chemicals released by the bombs and their effects on the water and if you contract a virus you may have to miss day’s paddling. 

I hope that this guide can help you with the start of your whitewater journey and assist you with becoming a better kayaker.

Keeners: By Anna

Hi my name is Anna and I love kayaking especially when it is with other kids. One of my favorite rivers is the Ottawa because of how big and fun it is to kayak and do tricks. I am working on a consistent loop right now which is pretty hard. Keeners is a kayaking camp for teens that want to level up their kayaking skill. I also love hanging out with the other people at Keeners because the community is so great. I also love kayaking in Charlotte because it has the Whitewater Center which has a conveyer belt to get you back up to the top of the channel. The conveyer belt makes it super easy do up to around ten laps a day. I also love to hang out with my family when I am not kayaking.

How To Catch A Wasp: By Bertie McCrea

 Wasps can be annoying when you eat your dinner so it is essential that you know how to catch them

Step 1: locate the wasp

Step 2: find a suitable cup and piece of paper to catch the wasp in 

Step three: wait until wasp is lying still

Step 4: quickly place the cup over the wasp

Step 5: open cup slightly and place paper underneath the cup

Step 6: now pick up the paper and cup and take it far away from where you are eating breakfast 

Step 7: now release the wasp 

Well done you have now caught and released a wasp away from your breakfast or dinner

How To Cook Scrambled Eggs: By Orin Gartner

Step 1

Heat up the pan to 3/4. While the pan is heating up put in the butter. It is better to put more butter in than less in.

Step 2 Crack and mix eggs in a separate bowl.

Step 3 Put the eggs in the heated pan and stir.

Step 4 Add some pepper, cheese and other things, keep stirring.

Step 5 When the eggs are solid scrape all into a plate. Done! The cooks only clean the pan.

My Week 1 Experience: By Pascal Fels

When I first heard about keeners I was very excited. Then, when it started to get closer I started to get more and more nervous in actually realizing what was ahead of me. I had watched some videos of beat down thursday and was even more nervous for that.

A few days in, I learned what my living situation was and started to get used to it. Once I got used to it I started to get more comfortable and acknowledged that it actually wasn’t that bad, and I was worried for nothing. And I also learned that my coaches/counselors are awesome. I was especially nervous for beatdown thursday. But, after swimming it I realized I was ready to send the gnar. I went down left side phil’s and had so much fun. Another awesome thing about keeners is everything that they teach you off water. Like ropes and knots, first aid, and just how to be a better person in general. That was my awesome and incredible experience (so far) of keeners week 1. I’m so excited for the next two weeks!

Faith in The River: By Noah Arbuckle

 Keeners aren’t all the same. Everyone of us comes to camp with our own histories, experiences, and beliefs, but one thing we all have to share is our faith to commit and to always know that the biggest line is obviously the best line. Whether we’re jumping off cliffs or choosing our path through Mccoys, the people I’ve met here aren’t the type to go small and always push to live every moment to the fullest. As beat down Thursday comes to a close I remember how every one of us knew we wanted to go as big as we could and stretch our limits. The way that we acted today wasn’t the way most people would respond in the situations we were in, as we headed straight for the meanest feature in the rapid, but if we didn’t want to push ourselves then what would really make us keen on whitewater. The people who aim for the whirlpools and not the eddy when they plunge as deep as they can into the river are the people who show up at keeners. Because that's what being a keener truly is. Being keen and enthusiastic about whitewater isn’t just limited to the easy parts. It's about passionately pursuing everything all these beautiful rivers have to offer and not shying away from the parts that scare you. 

Last Day of Keeners: By Jonas Tiedje

At keeners you get to spend your last day on the river doing a freestyle competition with all of your friends. At first it’ll feel like a normal keener day but as the day goes by and you get off the water you slowly start to understand that this will maybe be your last time on the mighty Ottawa. If you haven’t done it yet I suggest trying to swim the flat water to the takeout since you’ll probably have enough time to swim it on the last day.  Then you go back to keenerville and you get to eat pizza while watching the competition videos and learn from them. When reality will really hit is when the coaches will do the wrap up speech and then you start to realize that you only have a few hours left with your new friends before they all leave. It is pretty sad saying goodbye to everyone but it makes it easier if you keep the hope that maybe one day you’ll get to see them again.