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Newsletter, February-March 2003
Just Some Quick News
Our last instructor development workshop introduced me to some great new people, as you can see from the photograph!
I hope to see several from this workshop and the spring workshop in our May certification course!
Darker days of fall and winter - unable to engage in morning gardening I've switched over to sewing new fleece clothes!
My goal is to wear as little as possible
under my drysuit and stay as warm as possible. I've have tops, pants and a vest made from various Polartec fabrics -
all from http://www.seattlefabrics.com or http://www.maldenmillsstore.com/. They have some very simple patterns for leggings and bicycle jersey tops anyone can figure out.
After running two tours a day last summer I was glad to take a bit of time off and work on my own stuff.
My shoulder has improved enough that skill work on whitewater and in the surf has been fun!
The La Push Surf Pummel (http://www.kayakinstructionexcellence.com/LaPush.html)
was too nasty (as it often is) but we had a great evening surf - perfect three to six foot waves at Crescent Beach -
the sunset on the little bluffs was beautiful, and fresh snow highlighted the Olympics behind us.
I'm going get serious about pool slalom and bring an "English Gate" to the pool next time I go.
Last but not least I am about to become the "guide" for this web site: http://paddling.about.com. Check it out! (For one thing, I need the click-throughs!)
Upcoming Dates
February 8,9 and 15, 16 - Beginning Whitewater, Redmond - Fall City
April 4 - 6 ACA instructor development workshop, Coastal Outdoor Center(http://www.coastalkayaks.com/), St. Augustine, Florida
April 11 - 13 Port Angeles Sea Kayak Symposium (http://www.raftandkayak.com/specialevents.html ) (I'll be giving these clinics: how to demo a kayak, women and kayaking, forward stroke, figuring tides/currents, travel slide show (Baja, Bolivia, Chile, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Vancouver Island.)
April 26, 27 - Whitewater for Sea Kayakers, Mountaineers Club (for club members)
March - Two day ACA Instructor Update, Seattle - write if interested
May 2 - 4 American Canoe Association Instructor Development Workshop
May 10 Strokes update with video work, rescue practice - Bowman Bay
May 11 Deception Pass - boat control and scenarios (prerequisite above)
May 16 - 18 American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Exam
May 31, June 1 - Intro to Kayak certification course
July 24th - 27th or 28th - San Juan Tour - Instruction based we will all contribute to gourmet food while we navigate about the outer islands. Begins on San Juan Island.
*deposits needed to hold spaces in above courses
NEW
Plans are in the works for corporate team building! The work I have been doing on the ropes course has given me some great ideas on how to integrate the techniques with kayaking courses and tours Write if you are interested.
Paddling Tips
Strokes - Pool Drill
How to put this in words? My favorite pool (or outdoor ) drill- best done in a whitewater kayak.
To start one needs to learn a stroke that reminds me of stirring a cauldron, like a big witches caldron.
Rotate to the side and set-up as if to do a draw stroke. Now work on drawing a circle underwater, with the circle extending under the boat...the purpose being to turn the boat in circles using just this stroke. Use your torso as you would in the sculling draw. Keep the boat flat. Find that perfect placement, maybe a bit forward.
Now - paddle a straight length working on good torso rotation in the forward stroke. When you are ready (or before the end of the pool) slice the blade from the stern to the bow, do the cauldron move to spin the boat 180 degrees, and slice the blade to the front, and take a forward stroke. Repeat on other side at other end of the pool.
It is all done without taking the blade out of the water - promotes balance, the feel of the blade controlling the boat under the water using different angles, and it's good for the obliques and lats! If you really work up to speed and maintain it, it can be a good little workout.
Comments? Write and I'll choose some to print next time!
Instructors and instructor candidates
Remember that some of you can progress by sending in a video! Find a friend, a camera and some flat water to practice your modeling and perfect it with this immediate feedback tool.
Sale on Demo Kayaks
Last years demo Millenium and Vivienne are up for sale. I'll have them at the Port Angeles Sea Kayak Symposium if they are still available. This year I am looking to add a couple of Current Designs models.
Images/Movies
Movie clips of paddling! Movies
You will need the Quicktime player from the Apple: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/.
The On-line Store!
Click Here
paddling.about.com.
Check it out! (For one thing, I need the click-throughs!)
My article on whitewater kayaking - City Sports NW - Whitewater Kayaking
Andree Hurley
Kayak Instruction Excellence
<http://www.kayakinstructionexcellence.com>http://www.kayakinstructionexcellence.com
211 Taylor Street, Suite Five
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 379-4182
(206) 669-1622 cell
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