Spectacular Saturday

August 3, 2019 by Don Gentle

I had a blast down at paddling this morning! Our head of paddling, Sumner Williams, needed a little help with what he calls “tryak” Saturday. Also known as try a kayak Saturday. We let any of the boys bob around in kayaks for the whole period. It was an awesome time and the boys had a blast.

Our paddling program always starts out in canoes and always on flat water. The canoe gives the boys a good vantage point for when they first hit the river and it gives them a bigger craft that is not as edgy as a solo canoe or kayak.  It is a tried and tested tradition in these parts that go back for over a hundred years.  The boys will learn both the bow and stern positions on the lake and on the river. All of their strokes and maneuvers are designed to take them down the whitewater river progression. Once the boys have moved up to the second or third rivers in the canoeing progression, they can move into a solo boat like a kayak, C-1, or OC-1 (solo canoe). They will continue their progression in the canoe and the solo craft.  Year after year these boys are challenged on new rivers with new skills.  It is still one of our most popular activities. These boys in the two-week session are just starting along that progression that can eventually take them to Class III and IV white water a few years down the road.

Speaking of the lake. The boys at fishing were bringing them in this morning. It is always a better time when you are catching rather than just fishing for a catch. After the boys can figure out the catch, they begin to work on the release. Once the master the release, they can go out in a boat and fish by themselves.

Our evening was even more spectacular!  We enjoyed our own personally made deli sandwiches, chips, cookies, and a coke.  It was like a big picnic with friends.  As the boys finished up they were enjoying some music a couple of the staff were playing.  Some boys were taking turns log rolling down on the hill, while others tossed the Frisbee around.  We could have just stayed there for the rest of the night and been fine.  

Evening age group activities included some dodge ball, canoe fill-ups, and field games. I enjoyed catching a few shots of the boys down in the gym and the canoe fill-ups event. What a great day! We sure are enjoying these guys.

Have a great night,

Don