Things I've learned at keeners -Kathryn Walker

I've learned so much through these past couple weeks here at keeners. When I first came here I was really nervous for a lot of reasons. The water is really big, I'm going to go live with 30 people I don't know for 3 weeks, and I would get beat down in a lot of really big holes. I've learned that the water is big, but it is totally safe and even if I fail at something it's not painful or the end of the world. Living with everyone here has taught me that when you're with people for 24/7 you grow really close to them and become really good friends with all of them. Getting beat down in big holes really isn't as scary as I had thought they were, and even when you are getting beat down, you're bound to get out of the hole eventually. In some ways, getting beat down is actually kind of fun. Keeners has taught me so many things, and I am so glad I was able to come this year.

-Kathryn

Keener Competitions

Every Friday at keeners, a competition day is seen. Every keener gets two rides (or more).

THe competitions are scored roughly the same as the ICF's freestyle competitions. However, they should not be stressed about. These competitions were described by Stephen Wright as a game, and the winner is simply who plays the game best. Therefore, there is a supportive environment in which failing is not frowned upon.

Should you not get the ride that you wanted at keeners, do not stress. You are in a supportive environment where failing is not frowned upon- in fact, it is encouraged, as it allows you to learn from your mistakes.

why i love keeners by parke miller

Keeners is amazing in so many different ways but there are also bad things such as if you don't take a rest day you will miss out on a lot because your body will hurt and you won't get the same amount of time with the coaches because you are tired. In my opinion you should take a rest day it is a great time to write your blog and watch movies most people don't want to because they have the fear of missing out on stuff people are doing on the water but you shouldn't because I have the same fear and I didn't take a and I regrets it because my body hurt but let's look at some of the good thing at like how you are paddling on the best river for frestyle and your with the best choaches there are I love paddling with this coaches because you break every trick down to every miner thing so we can dial it in or just learning and don't fail as much some of the other great thinks we do is interact if you aren't the greatest at interactin with kids this is a perfect place for it you get to make friend take to people on the river you also learn how to write blogs so that one day you can write a email to see if people would sponsor you that is why I love keeners and hopfully get to come back next year

River Trip - Topher

With the end of the session drawing near (aw) and everyone, albeit still having a great time getting somewhat tired of the same stretch of river every single day for the past 2 1/2 weeks, we embarked on a drive to the Gatineau for our session’s river trip. After an early wakeup, and a roughly 2 hour drive consisting of mostly napping, we arrived at the put-in. After eating lunch and splitting into groups, we embarked on the river itself. We played at the first rapid, lucifers, for around two hours, where there were both epic surfs, and even more epic beatdowns. The rest of the river was a mix of long stretches of flat water, and quick sections of rapids. Afterwards, as is traditional, we all went for poutine, and returned back to keenerville for our final few days here.

The Ride You Want VS. the Ride You Get By Bryce Aaron

This past Friday we had Funky Fresh Freestyle Friday! This Friday we had one ride on PushButton, one ride on Garb and one ride on Baby Face. My ride on PushButton was terrible. I got a big fat 0! But that was ok because I had 2 more rides. My ride on Garb was terrible too. I got a 20. And on my baby face ride was awful. I got a 17.

The moral of the story is that you don't always get the ride you want. Ride after my Garb ride I got a huge blunt and my first pistol flip. It was a combo so it was worth about 270 points. It wasn't that I was having a bad day, it was that my comp ride was an average ride for me. Sometimes I get big tricks, other times I don't. What I need to work on getting big tricks down every time why I try them, not just most of the time! Hopefully next year when I come back to Keeners I can get my tricks every time!

PEACE OUT,

Bryce Aaron

Best Summer Ever!!!-Olivia McGinnis

   I’ve never had three weeks go by so quickly in my entire life. Keeners has made this summer one of the best I’ve ever had. I’ve met the coolest people, created hilarious inside jokes, and learned some new tricks! 

     This weekend, I got in a carbon Rockstar for the first time (thanks Tom!), and got some massive loops in Pushbutton. On Monday, I did my first ever Space Godzilla thanks to Mat! I was psyched to get them consistently Tuesday as well, and also to begin getting the basics down of cartwheeling in a hole. 

     I absolutely cannot wait to see what these last two days have in store for me. I know it’ll be heartbreaking to have to leave this awesome place and all of these great people, but I’ve had the greatest summer, and I know I’ll remember it forever!

-Olivia McGinnis

The Adventures of Foot Rot by Garrett Madlock

This morning, I woke up to find out that my feet were falling off. I could no longer stand on them, or even look at them, without wanting to scream. My feet looked like the start of a zombie apocalypse.

After a few minutes a crowd of worried coaches formed in my bedroom. I was so entertained by their reactions I had almost forgotten what was happening to my poor feet. Anna looked like a mad scientist and was somehow stoked because I had one of the best cases of foot rot she has ever seen. Clay just wanted a lot of pictures for social media purposes. Mathieu couldn't stop laughing. And Bren just looked absolutely terrified.

Luckily, I have such amazing friends to take car of me during these times. Ray decided to surprise me with a Nutella filled pancake! The pancake brought to me so much joy I could finally ignore the pain long enough to go use the bathroom.

We then went to the clinic and found out I had the worst case of foot rot the nurse had ever seen! We were incredibly stoked and decided to finish the adventure with poutine and ice cream with the Walkers.

Thanks to everyone who took care of me!