Kayaking, as a Precedent to Kayaking

"Kayaking is being one with the water. It is the connection between man and nature, bonding the two with an indescribable strength." - Anonymous

Water-based activities are always fun. Whether they take the form of canoeing, kayaking, water-skiing, or frolicking in a hose, they're a great reminder that summer is right around the corner, and a great way to get into the spirit of it. It's because of this that I heartily enjoyed both the learning and the demonstrating of new kayaking skills.

THE COURSE

The learning portion, for me at least, took place at Jericho Beach. Having kayaked on numerous occasions previous, I felt ready to expand into new skills, and hopefully ultimately receiving a certification for doing so. On one of our very first courses, we learned of the infamous "wet exit". Basically, it's a procedure to follow when wearing a spray skirt if the boat flips upside-down. I was expecting it to be bad, and in all honesty, I don't know if it was worse or better than I expected. It was, in a way, both. The first task is something of a mental paradigm. One must flip their boat. Although this step would be taken care of in a real situation, knowingly trapping yourself underwater is something that takes a few moments. When ready to flip, and a few deep breaths are taken, one can, with more ease than there should be, flip the boat. Underneath the water, for me, was a strange mix of sensations. Top of my list would probably be the cold. Although the cold shock is expected, it is a cold shock, and therefore a shock is what is gotten. The water wasn't that bad in temperature, and it was generally quite warm weather, but it hampered with my pace. It kind of impairs your thoughts for a bit, and messes with your perception of things. Next, was the dark. Because this all occurs underwater, my eyes had to be closed. This made a lot of things seem weirder than they should have. Coupled with the strangeness of being upside-down, it made knowing which directions were which quite difficult to pinpoint. For me, it felt like the boat was constantly sinking nose-first, though it obviously wasn't. We had, however, practiced the techniques on the shore beforehand. We practiced normally, with eyes closed, and if the strap was on the inside. Underwater, I was grateful for the practice. I had to ignore everything my brain was telling me (in regards to the need to get the flipcrumbs out of the boat as soon as possible, and the fact that it felt like I had no oxygen), and tap the boat, but my hands to the sprayskirt at my hips, and move forward to the tab. I then pulled forwards, back, and with a bit of kicking, I could exit the boat. As I practiced the procedure a few times, I came to realize that taking a second underwater to let the cold and directional shock fade away allowed me to be far more calm as I did it. It also made me feel as though I had more oxygen, thus relaxing me and allowing me to conduct the procedure more precisely. Unfortunately, I eventually forgot to tap the boat in my procedures, though I managed to get out nonetheless.

Other than the wet exit, we also learned a few new useful paddling strokes, including  the draw stroke (to pull the boat to the side), how to turn by leaning the boat to the opposite side as the desired one, and how to stop a boat from flipping if tipping. All of this came in handy (save, thankfully, for the wet exit) at the kayaking camp a few weeks later. After the course was complete, I received the email stating that I had received my Level 1 Certification by Paddle Canada. It was a fun course, and I would like to expand on my knowledge gained in the future. Luckily, I managed to put those skills to the test at the kayaking camp.

THE CAMP

On the eleventh of June, we set off to put our skills to the test. Split into three groups, I ended up in the third group. This had us setting off from Deep Cove, and journeying north through Indian Arm. As it would turn out, we left from a dock just outside of Deep Cove, and made for the campsite at an area called "Granite Falls" for the waterfalls that entered the arm, and subsequently the ocean, from there. Luckily, I managed to get one of the two available single kayaks for two of three legs of our total voyage (the longest two, as well). This was what we learned with in our lessons, and for me it gave me a greater connection between myself and the water. It gave me the ability to directly control my progress as we traveled, and it made for a greater overall experience. In my kayak, we paddled through the arm. There were beautiful houses and even more beautiful natural features that we saw on our journey. We passed waterfalls, towering mountains, and luscious vegetation. After around three hours of paddling, we landed at a small flourish of land off of a mountain (we were paddling up the west side of the arm). On this piece of land, the trees were a more vibrant and light green, and as we landed we noticed that the place was actually a campsite. We met campers, took a break, and eventually set off again. At this point we were paddling between the west side of the arm and Croker Island, which extended and split the arm into two. After passing the island, we turned, and crossed to the east side. In our sight line were the Granite Falls, a campsite and boats adjacent. We docked, and carried all of the gear and boats we had carried to the water up with us. Over the course of the evening, we cooked dinner, and played games in the twilight. As the moon rising over the mountains illuminated the site with a surprising strength, there was a special connection to the nature surrounding me - one I would never have had the ability to experience at home in the city. The next day, we packed up and moved camp. Again in a single kayak, I paddled along the east shore with the group, and came quite close to the nature alongside it. We also passed the houses along the shore. They had no road access, and yet were spectacular in architecture and beauty. There were many boats of all shapes and sizes along the arm, on vacations or pleasure cruises, as well. Anyway, after stopping for lunch, we paddled and landed at the dock at the "Twin Islands". Just across from Deep Cove, the main island (where the campsite was located) was spectacular. A rocky hill/mountain, perfect for climbing, provided stunning views. Lower, rocks sat perched on the edges, and down by the water, the light from the setting sun made for reflections in more ways than one. That, in addition to the fact that the tent sites there were wooden, allowing for a less rocky ground for the tent. The following day, we packed up once more, and set off for Jug Beach, located just north of Belcarra. After a quick hike and lunch there, we commenced the last part of the voyage - from Jug Beach across Indian Arm once more to Deep Cove proper. After pulling our boats into the sand, we unloaded everything and washed the boats before a bus came to take us back to Vancouver.

Overall, I really enjoyed the camp. When rafting up as a group (and during other directionally demanding times), I could use the draw stroke I had learned in the lessons greatly. I even tried adapting it to suit my needs in regards to speed and dryness. I also found use in the rudders equipped and functional on most boats on the trip, which we weren't taught to use but were quite handy while turning. Throughout the camp, I became more confident in paddling. Having calculated our route online, I found that we paddled over 31 kilometers total throughout the voyage, and I grew quite fond of kayaking throughout. It's a great feeling to be able to propel yourself and all you need through the water at relatively high speeds. I plan to kayak again on at least one occasion this summer.

Overall, the year in OEE was a great one. I passed the sailing, rock climbing, and kayaking course, allowing me to expand on the skills I have learned both next year and throughout my life. The activities we conducted were fun as well, and I feel as though I managed to put many of the hard and soft skills I have learned into practice throughout the year. I wasn't so fond of a couple of one-time OEE sessions, though for the most part, what we did was enjoyable and useful. Cross-country skiing was a specific example of a skill which I felt was a lot of fun and that I improved greatly in. I also enjoyed rock climbing far more than I had expected, especially in the certification and the ability to belay classmates to the top. My relative fear of heights, however, is something that I will have to work on toning down.

Regardless, OEE was a lot of fun, and I will definitely miss it's regular sessions next year. I will, however, get to demonstrate my skills throughout the expeditions, though nonetheless, we won't have quite as much. For now, have a great summer, and thanks for an amazing year!

PICTURES FROM CAMP

On the dock before leaving.

My first boat Nanook as we paddle north to Granite Falls.

Me, with Indian Arm and Twin Islands in the background.

The first night at camp, bathed in the bright moonlight.

Granite Falls by morning.

Me in Granite Falls by morning.

The water from Granite Falls going into Indian Arm.

Paddling to Twin Islands.

My second boat as we paddle south, into the wind to Twin Islands.

Our trip.

Fort Langley

The experience started as soon as we walked through the door. Wonders of my past and technology of the present collided in a funducational storm of epic proportions, the tornadoes of which picked us up, and threw us into the hopes and dreams of those come and gone. Led by bowler hats, time travelling tour guides, the power of friendship, and information placards, we sought the site for all it had to offer. I thought that it was quite neat being able to take the classroom learning a step further, into reality. The uniforms/costumes of those recreating events were fun, and further manipulated the experience - in an enjoyable way! In all seriousness, Fort Langley was an interesting experience, not only due to the fanciful restoration of the site, but due to the parallels between this voyage east and our social studies curriculum, focused on the individuals and lifestyles of the voyageurs and explorers of the time that the Fort Langley simulation was set in. Although more educational merit could have been attained (with more signs, or a guide to point out more about the history and significance behind each structure), it was a great parallel to the educational unit, and an interesting in-limbo OEE session.

Curling

Curling was interesting, as it was an in-between OEE session, though I felt that I managed to improve my skills from nonexistent to somewhat adequate. That being said, I still do not have a firm grasp on the knowledge or the rock (as it's called), though I was apt in having the ability to occasionally send the projectile in a straight trajectory, and send it with enough power to end past the end line, without hitting the barrier at the very end. It was useful having two sessions to improve my knowledge, though the instructors were occasionally slightly overbearing. Having no prior experience, however, I felt that I managed to become relatively competent, and launch the projectile rock in a straight line ahead, shooting along with my dreams.

Cross-Country Finality

We recently completed our final cross-country skiing session, which went slightly better than the previous session, though not as good as my first (judging by amount of fun and skills learned). We worked on hockey-stops, which involved the bending of the knees, though other than that today was mainly just a day to demonstrate the skills we learned. Throughout the unit I re-learned most to all of the skills I had forgotten, and even some more. I managed to fall very few times, and I came quite prepared to all sessions. I did not move forward to the advanced group under my own duress, due especially to the fact that I was content in the progression of my skills in the intermediate group. Overall, I felt it a highly fun and beneficial unit, and I would be happy to practice the skills more over the course of future OEE camps and courses, especially as I learned the skills needed to move forward, stop, and turn faster than most to all other OEE activities.

Skating

Although we didn't have any formal instructional periods, I enjoyed the periods that wee spent skating. I had skated previously, and it was fun to be able to re-learn what I had once done, and to watch my improvement from someone trembling on the ice while holding a plastic aid, to an independent skater who was having fun in the process. I am now far more confident in my abilities, and I would enjoy doing the unit again.

The Ski of X-C

Last week I completed my first session of cross country skiing, which went semi-successfully. Save for an unjustified irate teacher to begin with (I never ran into her again, luckily), the instructors were adequate to good for the job at hand (teaching). I managed to quickly re-enter my position of knowing what to do, as I have completed it beforehand, and it was akin to riding a cycling |construction. I was placed in the intermediate group even though I had not taken the annual precedent that the class had already undertaken. It ended up proving successful, though. It was actually far more fun this time than it had been before. I managed, though, to improve my skills in turning and moving downhill. I feel at place in the intermediate group, as although it does not provide a great challenge for me, it was fun and I was improving my skills. I also enjoyed getting social time outside with friends. I found, though, the long downhill sessions difficult, though over time I should be able to control myself more and as such avoid falling further. I also improved general movement skills, by improving my technique in general. I hope to, over the future sessions, to be able to go faster and try more difficult runs. I hope to have the same level of fun, though, and as such I can't wait for the future cross country skiing sessions.

The Fine Line of Film Creation

While watching the movie "The Fine Line", several thoughts came to mind, unfortunately few of them positive. Although the movie did distribute the message of avalanche awareness, in regards to backcountry skiing, as a whole, it failed to place enough emphasis on the ideals of safety, and on personal opinions. The cinematography was relatively well done, though too much of it detracted from the main point. Too much of the movie was dedicated to the idea of backcountry skiing as a whole - a concept which we recognize is dangerous in its being. In that, it made the idea of backcountry skiing seem like a fantastical exercise, and as such it glorified it as a worthwhile activity while being safe. It failed to recognize the complete lack of safety involved in backcountry skiing, including many other risks aside from avalanches, of which too much focus was placed on when considering the attempts at good editing. The movie also had a lack of direction in regards to purpose throughout. Several key points, including specific forms of safety and personal experiences, were wither completely missed or breezed over - thus not providing a strong basis for our knowledge. Backcountry skiing has increased over the years, potentially due to a lack of awareness and lessening for consideration for safety over time. It is also due to the ignorance caused by the willing to set a social image for oneself, and to achieve a superior status to others in any given element. People fail to consider the ramifications beforehand. The film also has failed to recognize other elements of risk to backcountry skiing, including rocks and cliffs. Another unspoken element is the fact that much of the backcountry skiing conducted is conducted illegally, in unsupervised regions - both against the law and against any notion of personal safety and awareness. From my perspective in regards to my age, I would not attempt backcountry skiing, almost entirely because I feel as though I am and will be fully challenged by in-bounds skiing at major resorts and seasonal recreational institution, and this is beneficial for my own personal safety and my well-being. Should my skiing progress to a more extreme level, though, I would want to take a basic avalanche course, as to be able to avoid death should a situation arise in a legal area of an institution, as chance is always prevalent.