tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666716071692553362024-02-06T19:08:12.853-08:00~PaddleSong~...Reflections on Kayaking, nature,
and whatever the tides may bring....Mel Hanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185353230381389440noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66671607169255336.post-18674566745486740042012-12-23T20:36:00.000-08:002012-12-23T22:19:54.483-08:00A Christmas Offering<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">With Christmas comes a bit of fun inspiration, I've spent the last couple of days working on this, I hope everyone likes it. For our international friends, feel free to ask for translations of the aussie terms used. :)<br />If you wish to share, please post a link to this Blog, do not copy and post elsewhere, if you decide to ignore this request then please make sure you keep my name attached.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lWJzOdIPjcb26dbH_6bZMEuWlD52qH40UnQ7T4oCvk59QG28YkPB2wlHHnLp6axfNTxuUQfDMfO9-DXGkBcI40ejxh3wVIYl9-yK-NsfKTguD8l8Fr0fribh8xzhZ-SA95i43YZOWg/s1600/Christmas_tree_decorations_large_T.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lWJzOdIPjcb26dbH_6bZMEuWlD52qH40UnQ7T4oCvk59QG28YkPB2wlHHnLp6axfNTxuUQfDMfO9-DXGkBcI40ejxh3wVIYl9-yK-NsfKTguD8l8Fr0fribh8xzhZ-SA95i43YZOWg/s200/Christmas_tree_decorations_large_T.png" width="183" /></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Santa’s
Aussie Saga</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">With all prepared for Christmas, Santa’s feeling rather bored,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He thought he’d treat the reindeer, with a holiday abroad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A different view he’s craving, he’s tired of snow and ice,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He spins the globe, sticks a pin, and thinks; ‘Australia might be
nice’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He checks the weather, packs a bag, he’s set to go next morning,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A worldly man like him need read no trav’ller’s tips and warnings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Reader, take heed if you should choose Down Under for your
vacation,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For Santa’s pride will soon result in a costly education.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">First to go was Blitzen, when he wandered off the track,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A big black spider, fangs agleam, landed heavy on his back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Comet next as in the bush, Santa thought to stay<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">An Eastern Brown ambitiously chose venison for prey<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A moment’s quiet for their loss, then to the sleigh made haste,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This bushland Aussies dearly love, clearly not his taste.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A change of scene this vast land, could surely still supply,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A sandy beach upon the coast was just the thing to try.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He lays a towel down on the sand, then strikes the native pose, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Beer resting on his belly, and zinc upon his nose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The reindeer run off to explore, quick to get away,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A Speedo wearing Santa, a sight just too risqué<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The cool blue waters first invited Dasher for a swim,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The only warning sign he got, a large and silent fin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Cupid played with an octopus with pretty, bright blue rings,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And Dancer found a jelly fish, with a million barbs that sting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The reindeer gather round at once, to break the fat guy’s slumber,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">With a snort he wakes and stares, at their diminished number.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Four reindeer heave a sigh as to the sleigh once more they race,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Santa still not giving up, tries yet another place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A river’s edge now, cool and calm, a shady bank to rest on,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And sporting at the waters’ edge, a quirky Aussie icon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">An otter’s body smooth and sleek, a bill just like a duck,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Webbed feet and beaver’s tail, it seemed a creature down on luck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Such a strange and muddled animal, shows Mother Nature likes a
joke, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But Rudolph wasn’t laughing, when a poisoned spur returned his
poke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Vixen folds down to the ground, feeling rather sick,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Her exploration of the coast, had found a paralysis tick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The remaining two now glance around, feeling rather frightened,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">‘To the city’! Santa cries, his mood once more has brightened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">They eye the sleigh, the two of them, feeling disconcerted,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Their choice is clear, still pull they must, or risk being
deserted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The city lights draw nearer, as through the air they trudge,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A maniacally jolly fat man, and two reindeer with a grudge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Their landing in a laneway, a little rougher than was needed,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our intrepid duo scarper off, Santa’s voice no longer heeded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Santa gazes blankly round, decides there’s one thing left to do, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He wanders to a nearby pub to consult a beer or two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The gathered locals listen on, as he pours out his woes,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And pretty soon he’s made firm friends with Dazza, Nev and Jo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">‘No worries mate’ they tell him, and ‘she’ll be right you’ll see’,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">‘Just shout us all a few more rounds, you’ll find mateship comes
for free’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Morning comes with bleary eyes, and a pounding in his head,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">‘Good onya mate’ Nev shouts out loud and leads him stagg’ring to
the shed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">They all squeeze into Dazza’s ute, for the drive back into town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">They swear they won’t give up the search, till those pesky deer are
found.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A rumour reaches Jodie’s ears, to a dark club they go together,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There’s Prancer dancing on the stage, with muscled men in leather.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">News of Dona now they find, with a tale that’s just as grim,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He’s made friends with a union rep, there’ll be no more work from
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Santa’s mood swings once again, as he realises he’s stuck,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Survival here, he begins to fear, is only down to luck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">‘Lighten up ya blouse’ says Nev, and lands a manly slap upon his
back,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">‘We’ll see my old mate Baz, he’s got a farm down Deadmans Track’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">So in the ute once more they go, stopping by for Santa’s sleigh,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Held down with a couple of ockies, it perches proudly in the tray.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">They drive for hours in solitude, on the track with the ominous
name,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It seems to him monotony might be how it got its fame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The air is still, the dust is thick, the sun glares fiercely down,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Even the trees look dead to him, all in shades of grey or brown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Then they crest a hill called ‘Devil’s Thrill’, with a view to set
hearts racing,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Too late he sees their lunacy, with each in their own way bracing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jo wriggles back on Neville’s lap, her feet braced on the dash,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">‘Yeeha’! They cry, and down they fly, he knows they’re going to
crash.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">From rock to rut, they bounce and bash, the pace is getting scary,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Flat ground at last, they slide and stop in front of ‘Bazza’s
Dairy’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">With a resounding thwack, the ockies snap, the sleigh flies
overhead,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">While Santa pale and shaking, utters words best left unsaid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">They guide his shaky steps inside, and to keep him out of strife,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Leave him in the kitchen sipping tea with Bazza’s wife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Odd sounds reach him now and then, there’s hammering and nailing,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Then they lead him out the front to see the great unveiling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The crew stand round their handiwork, their chests swelling with
pride,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">‘We hope you don’t mind Santa, but we Aussied up your ride’.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;">Flames are painted down the sides, a sheepskin cover for his seat,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;">A stereo with 12 inch subs, and an esky by his feet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But best by far, they’d rounded up replacements for his deer,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">‘You beaudy mate’ shouts Dazza , as he handed him a beer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">So when you’re listening out for Santa, forget the sound of hooves
o’erhead,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This year you’ll hear the bouncing thud of a dozen ‘roos instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mel Hanley </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">©</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">2012</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk5lwfoDjrWW0ruQ8OIsITl_18l4F7aei_UV94UnUmSAUp15RWhvlpyacHQbWDwZNttocyxTpp8YHHdRacYS8uuXGkTEP22d0HLmDYtzPVvhMp4DDw4gQv94J8sXAOvuz41IdML9SQA/s1600/Shapes-Aussie%252520Santa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk5lwfoDjrWW0ruQ8OIsITl_18l4F7aei_UV94UnUmSAUp15RWhvlpyacHQbWDwZNttocyxTpp8YHHdRacYS8uuXGkTEP22d0HLmDYtzPVvhMp4DDw4gQv94J8sXAOvuz41IdML9SQA/s1600/Shapes-Aussie%252520Santa.jpg" /></a></div>
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<h2>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!</i></span></h2>
Mel Hanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185353230381389440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66671607169255336.post-56570029543564441272012-08-04T19:03:00.000-07:002012-08-04T19:03:16.546-07:00I'm Back!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span lang="EN-AU">We are defined
by what we do, both by choice of occupation and by leisure activities. When
there is a sudden restriction placed on our activities, we are affected not
just by the lack of a favoured pasttime, but can feel like a large part of our
lives, or of our self, is missing. With a long term back injury flaring up
earlier in the year, plus some other health issues, it’s been a few months
since I’ve been able to get on the water. Wayne, not to be upstaged has just
had surgery with the removal of two discs and the fusion of three vertebrae. (He
won the race to the neurosurgeon, going from consultation to surgery and then
to a follow up visit with the surgeon coming up this week, while I am still
waiting on a second appointment for my specialist with some slightly worrying
MRI results that left me a number of interesting words to google </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span lang="EN-AU">). While Wayne’s recovery is going well, and the outcome has been a
lot better than we had hoped, it will be some time before he is allowed to do
anything too active.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU">Without my
weekly kayak fix I’ve realised just how big a part of my life it has become. My
kayak, too long to fit in the garage, has its own room in the house, and has
been sitting in silent judgement each time I pass it. While there have been
many times I would have loved to go out, the simple inability to lift the kayak
has left me spending the last few months pondering the question - just what do
non-paddlers do with their time?? </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">Sometimes, it
seems that all the planets have aligned for once, and some opportunities cannot
be passed up. When you get a winter’s
day that is sunny, pleasant, and with barely a hint of breeze, the call of the
kayak just can’t be ignored, combine that with the fact that I actually made it
through a week at work without aggravating my back and I just had to give it a
shot. Wayne urging me to get out there and managing to sound only a little
jealous helped too.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHhVTqkKDcVHsw4Q1s48D2lmiOVwRLPXnbQtuz89fZpSsuwQQqgG8JYM9pnb-2vmCtvaIF2e9nkIEtkXZZQNaKpEBWaSNimGqxxBqxya6YFToXLuEscZf4sZ94QhrNJqwMmKwTNXjSQ/s1600/IMGP0295-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHhVTqkKDcVHsw4Q1s48D2lmiOVwRLPXnbQtuz89fZpSsuwQQqgG8JYM9pnb-2vmCtvaIF2e9nkIEtkXZZQNaKpEBWaSNimGqxxBqxya6YFToXLuEscZf4sZ94QhrNJqwMmKwTNXjSQ/s400/IMGP0295-blog.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><i>With the wonderfully intelligent street design in our suburb,<br /> I beat Wayne to the park.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-AU">A bit of
interesting planning had to go into getting to the water, with both of us
limited on lifting (Wayne can’t do any lifting, and I can’t lift anything above
about hip height), there is no way we can currently get the boat onto the car’s
roof-racks, so alternative plans had to be made. I was able to manoeuvre my
boat onto a cart and out of the house, from here I was hoping the walk to the
water would be manageable (distance is not too bad, and downhill all the way </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span lang="EN-AU">). This would allow me to get to the water, but there is no
possibility of fitting the cart into the Tahe’s tiny hatches. Solution - my
gear was loaded into the car as usual, which gave me less to haul. I then walked
my boat through the streets, while Wayne drove down to meet me at a park we
used to use as a regular put-in when we lived a little closer to the water. Once
I was set to go, the cart went back in the car with Wayne and he would come to
meet me again later.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUVvzbFp_lFKzK4kfzrrs7l7HLbqyMSrCVRb5p19zNx-MAeMv-W1XxE4S7SOREjasPyV9Sh1DWmPvkxukpEOWaX2kLCnmL84qD_YFJK4_ZXaFngyKJgMUmsQIqRBEjR2Ri5shzhz8lA/s1600/P1090646-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUVvzbFp_lFKzK4kfzrrs7l7HLbqyMSrCVRb5p19zNx-MAeMv-W1XxE4S7SOREjasPyV9Sh1DWmPvkxukpEOWaX2kLCnmL84qD_YFJK4_ZXaFngyKJgMUmsQIqRBEjR2Ri5shzhz8lA/s640/P1090646-blog.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Absolute serenity! A perfect day for a return to the water.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-AU"> </span>The moment I
dipped my paddle in the water I felt like I had returned home. It was both
reassuring and satisfying to feel the paddle finding the perfect angle as it
entered and passed through the water, to feel the familiar, comforting rhythm
of paddle-stroke and leg drive and to be able to gaze out at the sunlight
dancing on the water. I have always loved paddling in winter, on most days you
have the water pretty much to yourself and on a calm day, everything seems that
little bit crisper and clearer. With no
offence intended to Wayne (he got me into kayaking and we have paddled together
for many years) I love paddling alone, there is certainly enjoyment in paddling
with the right people, but paddling alone is a very different experience and I
enjoy it for so many reasons. Being out there on my own this time gave me a
sense of reconnection with the natural world that I love. It is sometimes hard
to explain to non-paddlers some of the things I love so much about kayaking. We
have spent a lot of time walking lately as an alternative that we are both
capable of, and while I love bushwalking and our walks on the amazing beaches
we have nearby, as a walker I feel a little more like a spectator. Being in a
kayak gives me a much stronger sense of connection, I am not just looking at a
scene, I am part of the scene. I have heard it described as bushwalking on
water, but I think there is something much stronger, much more personal to
kayaking than bushwalking.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRIN8OoI5hs6dFePl4ybmYxRTUznNtzmS8MQOOY2351dH8U22HXY5G430QF40xeUUZCv1mnQn51x80D29Vp5GzPma2Cuey7cjZaurE1iHEQcrtcxM0fhyphenhyphen3JyXsopGO9bT-8HDMMoTbw/s1600/IMGP0307-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRIN8OoI5hs6dFePl4ybmYxRTUznNtzmS8MQOOY2351dH8U22HXY5G430QF40xeUUZCv1mnQn51x80D29Vp5GzPma2Cuey7cjZaurE1iHEQcrtcxM0fhyphenhyphen3JyXsopGO9bT-8HDMMoTbw/s400/IMGP0307-blog.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wayne drove onward to surprise me as I passed a jetty shortly after my start, <br /> on my own after this.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU">I have found
some interesting changes in my paddling since I started in Greenland rolling, I
had always felt that kayak guides who insist on rolling during every trip were
just showing off, but since spending so much time in the water rolling,
sculling and generally having far more fun than you would expect to have just
staying in one place, I have discovered that every time I’m paddling I have an
overwhelming urge to roll. The water calls to me as I paddle, almost like a
partner inviting me to dance and it can sometimes be a hard urge to resist. I
realise how much of a disservice I was doing to a number of people over the
years – they weren’t really showing off, rolling is just so much fun it’s a
constant temptation to simply lean in and dance with the water. I resisted the
urge this time, while nowhere near the temperatures our Canadian friends
endure, the water is still a bit chillier than I like at this time of year. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJR_tBAKYl_6LEq7iqnPlzuvJAAC6Lt5gN7CpzA8B2_DcspfmyX25Pk7UOR_SfJSgjDjwhwqb0rqGS4Di5yhBPj9vtiINQubfTsZpuEMCnXYWZLR9t7Rz6shxfuxPa4z7driaYQvZLA/s1600/P1090649-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJR_tBAKYl_6LEq7iqnPlzuvJAAC6Lt5gN7CpzA8B2_DcspfmyX25Pk7UOR_SfJSgjDjwhwqb0rqGS4Di5yhBPj9vtiINQubfTsZpuEMCnXYWZLR9t7Rz6shxfuxPa4z7driaYQvZLA/s400/P1090649-blog.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>About a hundred Cormorants who were occupying a rocky reef, <br />usually a favourite spot for Pelicans, but it seems to have been invaded.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I spent the next
couple of hours being pleasantly reminded of so many of the things I love about
kayaking. With no destination set, and knowing I would be nowhere near my
former speed, I took the chance to just cruise and enjoy, stopping to take a
few photos, or watching the many birds who seemed to have emerged in numbers to
enjoy the spectacular day. My company included Ducks, Pelicans, Cormorants, Sea
Gulls and Terns, a pair of Sooty Oyster Catchers watched me warily and gave
their shrill cry as I paddled past their rocky perch and a pair of Black Swans
surprised me as I rounded a small island and found them gliding along on glass
smooth water in their own private little retreat. The call of a Whistling Kite
drifted across the water, one of my favourite birds, but I had to be content
with just its’ voice today as it remained out of sight. It was such an
enjoyable day, even the unseasonal appearance of a pair of jetskis failed to
annoy me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU">The breeze picked up as I headed back and I got to enjoy a very rare
experience for me – a tale-wind (it doesn’t matter what the forecast, or where
we are heading, we almost always get headwinds </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span lang="EN-AU">). I returned to the put-in feeling pleasantly
fatigued, a few muscles reminding me that perhaps I’m a little out of shape,
but not feeling too bad. The GPS reading gave me a modest 11.8km, a distance I
would previously have scoffed at, but was quite happy with today. I also had
the walk back to look forward to – did I mention that the walk <i>to the water</i> had been all <i>downhill</i>? Wayne played shuttle for my
trolley and gear again, meeting me at the park once more and I admit to feeling
just a little guilty after having so much fun while he can’t paddle, but it was
just too good a day to let guilt spoil it. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBdBM8FbSrB0TAeOI3TJW5eeRv8wFKdrdxHz03rGTZGINYVZdLve5zYNfhblBpVbxN1jm3tlptvyI6-VcEbQLPnrDGwpZic1vv9Y1kwRgI0wLhcV2uozGuA6rRG5ArPwBaDEhrHuO2A/s1600/P1090668-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBdBM8FbSrB0TAeOI3TJW5eeRv8wFKdrdxHz03rGTZGINYVZdLve5zYNfhblBpVbxN1jm3tlptvyI6-VcEbQLPnrDGwpZic1vv9Y1kwRgI0wLhcV2uozGuA6rRG5ArPwBaDEhrHuO2A/s320/P1090668-blog.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ready for the walk home - Uphill all the way :) </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU">The excitement
of being back on the water and the enjoyment of such a perfect day has given me
a new drive to get out there again, and nature has worked her magic and left me
feeling a lot more positive. I still
have an upcoming appointment with my neurosurgeon, and have to hope for a
simpler fix than Wayne’s dramatic surgery, but I intend getting back on the
water as much as I can (and I’m sure Wayne will be joining me as soon as he’s
allowed </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span lang="EN-AU">). As they say, ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ and my time
off the water has given me a much stronger appreciation for the many, many
magical experiences I have had paddling over the years.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU">Of course, it
hasn’t been all doom and gloom since my last post, we have still had our share
of fun and I hope to make amends for my neglect on my blog with a bit of a
catch up on some fun events in my next post. For those sitting at home making excuses
about the weather, or too tired/lazy/busy – Get Out There! There will be times
when you are unable to and you will regret every time you rolled over and slept
in on a cold morning instead of getting your kayak fix </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span lang="EN-AU">.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQSmIVLmoByiCdkcPuxODYUitXvfOrpzm4MRtu8hPdZnPyi8vXrBfyBaSmcRmtyOwWkvYt2ZYv7Hiv-oMImYTndufAxEmO8OcGl0XHhOavuFZY4Mkop8Wda4ROtIfTQKKf-BYaNPNkA/s1600/P1090662-fb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQSmIVLmoByiCdkcPuxODYUitXvfOrpzm4MRtu8hPdZnPyi8vXrBfyBaSmcRmtyOwWkvYt2ZYv7Hiv-oMImYTndufAxEmO8OcGl0XHhOavuFZY4Mkop8Wda4ROtIfTQKKf-BYaNPNkA/s640/P1090662-fb.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Some of my companions for the day.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><br /></span></div>
Mel Hanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185353230381389440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66671607169255336.post-3322247212951598992012-03-04T17:31:00.000-08:002012-03-04T17:34:12.557-08:00Greenland Rolling Day<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;">
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When I first
started exploring Greenland rolling and paddling skills it was purely for my
own enjoyment. Initially, my goal was simply to get a more reliable roll, then
I discovered just how much fun it was and I began pushing myself to learn more
and more techniques, finding that the more I learned, the more it improved other
paddling skills and added even more enjoyment to my paddling. My love for
tradition and culture led me to explore further and I love learning more about
Greenland and its surrounds and the culture that gave us the Kayak. My desire
to learn more led to making contacts with other Greenland enthusiasts overseas,
which in turn gave us the opportunity to participate in some amazing Greenland
paddling events in Canada and Japan.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6usHSgRu1-aExQGB0-gW-AU27vexRa5VLwpFSawUaYpQYWyAkALBuxFf3zxfGyoFpzzuNKQq3CDQBFGxkmshMMW1rr8L8SaYxrdZ2eofuKCk1iBSuvK60WtrhH0aSUOfeku0UEyG1A/s1600/P1050351-fb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6usHSgRu1-aExQGB0-gW-AU27vexRa5VLwpFSawUaYpQYWyAkALBuxFf3zxfGyoFpzzuNKQq3CDQBFGxkmshMMW1rr8L8SaYxrdZ2eofuKCk1iBSuvK60WtrhH0aSUOfeku0UEyG1A/s400/P1050351-fb.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
When I began that journey, my goal was
simple – learn as much as I could in the short time I had so I could bring
those skills home and continue working on my own progress. These events had
some extra lessons in store for me, which I wasn’t expecting. What I encountered
at each of the events made me realise Greenland style is about far more than
just learning techniques. At each event, we made friends with an amazing group
of people. There is a strong sense of community that goes with Greenland style,
a friendly, open atmosphere that promotes a sharing of knowledge and
experiences. It was the people, rather than just kayaking skills that made
these events unforgettable.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
In Australia, Greenland rolling or even just
paddling with a stick is fairly new. There are certainly pioneers out there who
have been doing their own thing for quite some time, but interest has been slow
to grow. Instead of the open, sharing sense of community that we encountered
overseas, we have scattered individuals or small groups practicing in relative
isolation, with little or no contact with other enthusiasts and a somewhat
dismissive attitude from other kayakers. My goals began to change, instead of
just pursuing my own interest, I wanted to share the warm, friendly atmosphere
we had encountered overseas, and see the growth of Greenland paddling in
Australia in a positive way. There is of course the option to just sit back and
complain about the attitudes of others, but complaining never changes anything.
If I want things to change, I have to be willing to take action myself, and so
I found myself facing some new and unexpected challenges. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
I have always been a very private person, with a
dislike of being in the public eye and a hatred of photos and videos of myself.
With camera shyness and nervousness to combat, it has been an interesting
journey <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
When we were approached by Mark Sundin of
Expedition Kayaks with the idea of having a free Greenland rolling day, I
thought it was a great idea and was more than willing to be involved. With
Cheri Perry and Turner Wilson of Kayak Ways coming to Australia shortly, he
thought it would be a good way to generate some interest and get more people to
take advantage of the rare opportunity to train with some of the world’s best
teachers. With Expedition Kayaks and Greenland Downunder teaming up for the
event, we would be able to present a variety of techniques, share our own experiences
of Greenland kayaking events, and hopefully see everyone have a lot of fun. It
would seem our video clips, blogs, and incessant talking about Greenland
rolling have caught people’s attention and I was very surprised when Mark told
us a week or so before the event that some people were signing up just to come
and see me, I was definitely feeling a bit nervous as the day approached.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYajhQ1r3cDI5uEdqmd6HFuhARlY6BRAtZ1y_DKN7oZhnk-Os5mb-R1ZTgY6F57QbxpTbKwYxKOG9t70ofjzh7NalcceKQ1WP4HKNBGrUchPRRLW0IohwdC-e_Wz2h-V0hUlz4riHZA/s1600/1-P1080009-fb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYajhQ1r3cDI5uEdqmd6HFuhARlY6BRAtZ1y_DKN7oZhnk-Os5mb-R1ZTgY6F57QbxpTbKwYxKOG9t70ofjzh7NalcceKQ1WP4HKNBGrUchPRRLW0IohwdC-e_Wz2h-V0hUlz4riHZA/s400/1-P1080009-fb.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Gathering on the beach</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
With a three hour drive to Sydney, we were off to
an early start, loading boat and gear in the rain hoping the weather would
improve as we drove north. It rained almost all the way, giving us some cause
for concern, but it eased off as we neared our destination. We arrived to find
a crowd already waiting on the beach, with more still coming. As we waited for
the final arrivals, I spent some time chatting with a few people, surprised to
find that there were some attending from as far away as Newcastle, with two
people travelling all that way just to watch. It reminded me of the reasons why
I travelled all the way to Canada, there are so few opportunities to even see
Greenland rolling here. It was very humbling to know people had travelled so
far just to see our little event.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
With a few concerns about the weather and
unfortunately, water quality (something we never suffer in Jervis Bay), we
braved the conditions with 20 people in the water for three hours of rolling
and fun. We began with a quick chat and an introduction from Rob Mercer, then
it was into the water for a demonstration.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dV1CR3v4V-_xZyn-CQDg7c_OdvoyocEOHLxRiZ8_xbiQ2Z4mNAqlYTbuDOgBHh50IWXBWgknSQJj4ONf-pmPLWGHVbxwYPmQZRTa-EkpI2kPxbX_65Q1LVRTQVHY_G9_aNsVnGj0vA/s1600/2-P1080011-fb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dV1CR3v4V-_xZyn-CQDg7c_OdvoyocEOHLxRiZ8_xbiQ2Z4mNAqlYTbuDOgBHh50IWXBWgknSQJj4ONf-pmPLWGHVbxwYPmQZRTa-EkpI2kPxbX_65Q1LVRTQVHY_G9_aNsVnGj0vA/s640/2-P1080011-fb.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A great group of people</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
After injuring my back a month ago, I have not
been able to practice as much as I would like. Feeling a little nervous, I
plunged ahead with my demo, wanting to give everyone a good understanding of
the basics as well as being able to show some of the more advanced rolls. While
a few of the rolls felt a little stiffer than usual, all went well until I got
to the elbow roll, one I have had a lot of fun with and have been very
confident with, but this time just wasn’t going to happen. It is impossible to
not feel disappointed when things don’t go to plan, but none of us are perfect,
and I certainly don’t claim to be an expert yet. Having a roll fail before an
audience is embarrassing, but I have seen some of the top names in Greenland
rolling blow a roll and shrug it off, these things happen, mistakes keep us
humble.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqf-MnkPzb3rXPip3zfRyJIc5rLVBcoHN2VpOgIdw01lMUGuHnP1xW1K67FD94G7MkkzDg7ERbpghWiUmRZjMXxeighMwsYHxGd0ADsVKJaFMyotKmPrv5KKprl29lzKQ0dK1-6Rxeg/s1600/8-P1080022-fb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqf-MnkPzb3rXPip3zfRyJIc5rLVBcoHN2VpOgIdw01lMUGuHnP1xW1K67FD94G7MkkzDg7ERbpghWiUmRZjMXxeighMwsYHxGd0ADsVKJaFMyotKmPrv5KKprl29lzKQ0dK1-6Rxeg/s400/8-P1080022-fb.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rob and Mark helping with Balance Braces</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
After the demo and a couple of quick drills we hit
the water, with Mark and Rob taking a group through balance braces and lay back
rolls while Wayne and I took the remainder who were interested in forward
finishes or working on specific rolls. With so many people working at different
levels and with different goals, it was an interesting challenge to try and
make sure everyone was getting something they wanted. I found myself
alternating between standing in the water assisting people through their rolls
and jumping in my boat to give quick demonstrations and explanations of details.
It was great to see everyone having fun, trying out new rolls and running
through their own repertoires. The last part of the session we spent helping
with an assortment of rolls, from balance braces, to hand rolls and a variety
in between. As everyone started to feel the cold, and with some feeling a
little fatigued after repeated rolling, the crowd began to thin as people
headed off to get dry and warm with the last few eager people taking those last
few minutes to spend just a little more time on a few final rolls. Once out of
the water, I spent a little time talking to people, happy to answer their
questions about our experiences overseas, finding myself one of the last people
off the beach. We quickly loaded the boat and gear as the rain made a re-appearance,
then we joined everyone in the sailing club for some warm food and good company.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2GsLPtG_bh-UAF0H3Ct1VuJ1dTsYb1DtauHefBpn-Ajnl3V5x6py55ahyphenhypheneJcf1g4e7Y2ulKpL4MCrM-0lCaSwGds5zk-c1kNGnd2eTFXSQq9-Loeqfa3CprGoNLcoKfnuwBC9UXhzQ/s1600/7-P1080021-fb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2GsLPtG_bh-UAF0H3Ct1VuJ1dTsYb1DtauHefBpn-Ajnl3V5x6py55ahyphenhypheneJcf1g4e7Y2ulKpL4MCrM-0lCaSwGds5zk-c1kNGnd2eTFXSQq9-Loeqfa3CprGoNLcoKfnuwBC9UXhzQ/s640/7-P1080021-fb.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rolling, rolling, rolling......</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
Thanks go to Rob Mercer and Mark Sundin of
Expedition Kayaks, and to all who attended for a fun day. Good luck to everyone
in their progress with their rolls, I am eagerly awaiting Cheri and Turner’s
visit and look forward to taking advantage of their expertise, I strongly
recommend everyone take this opportunity – they are amazing teachers and great
people. Happy Rolling <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKfYw0vHmDnyekkzo2BJOWcmZVy-KD5opTabB6l6-v4yeNxLTdvtJd1zJ08cnjoDJ-a1UHl50BmdLqjOBw9qxDqU-v5amJlDZX1MBt6rU1WPVOz2gUGOvDXJErxABQIiHI1L9pn8diQ/s1600/D1030950-fb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKfYw0vHmDnyekkzo2BJOWcmZVy-KD5opTabB6l6-v4yeNxLTdvtJd1zJ08cnjoDJ-a1UHl50BmdLqjOBw9qxDqU-v5amJlDZX1MBt6rU1WPVOz2gUGOvDXJErxABQIiHI1L9pn8diQ/s400/D1030950-fb.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cheri Perry, Maligiaq Padilla, myself, and Turner Wilson at Ontario Greenland Camp 2011</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span></div>Mel Hanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185353230381389440noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66671607169255336.post-33602378747131650042012-01-27T19:41:00.000-08:002012-01-27T20:10:49.758-08:00Australia Day Fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;">
We Aussies are a laid
back bunch; to many outsiders, we have no sense of patriotism, a weird sense of
humour, and take a greater sense of pride in our dangerous fauna than our
country’s achievements. We look at the enthusiastically overt, flashy displays
of patriotism put on by many other nations and respond with a ‘No worries mate,
we’ll do it our way’. We do have our own quiet sense of patriotism and pride,
but as with our people, it is laid back and fairly relaxed (unless you’re
talking about cricket).</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
Australia Day is a day
which does stir a bit of patriotism in most of us, and while there is still
some debate over the choice of date for this day, for most of us it is simply a
day to celebrate who we are. Unlike other public holidays, where it is
perfectly acceptable to have ‘a bit of a bludge’, it has become an almost
compulsory part of our culture to get out and do something you enjoy on
Australia Day - no matter what the weather <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>
If you’re not at least trying to do something fun, then you are running the
risk of that ultimate insult – being un-Australian. Un-Australian includes many
cultural faux pas such as - disliking lamb chops or vegemite, knowing the
second verse of the national anthem, not scaring tourists with stories of drop
bears and yowies or at least snakes spiders and crocs, not helping your mates
when they need a hand, not using derogatory nick-names for your best mates,
drinking foreign beer,.... to name just a few of our social complexities.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzvkq6a6_1WAmOLN189h_gCzAdwxqxNp8owT2t6phJ_fFD8YyfDnMDetjJOOsPeWY5QVW2sPC9bOWF1OhfvdKTM_-R8W05YNfEFSumP0vfD-i9Ggt_0vKtpAWpCww1n-E47W83IOGVA/s1600/P1050684-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzvkq6a6_1WAmOLN189h_gCzAdwxqxNp8owT2t6phJ_fFD8YyfDnMDetjJOOsPeWY5QVW2sPC9bOWF1OhfvdKTM_-R8W05YNfEFSumP0vfD-i9Ggt_0vKtpAWpCww1n-E47W83IOGVA/s320/P1050684-blog.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
With national pride on
the line, we had to go out and find some fun!</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
Common Australia Day
activities include barbecues, back-yard cricket or days at the beach, usually
in sweltering heat. Unfortunately, the day dawned rather dim and gloomy. We got
up and it rained, had breakfast and it rained some more, spent the morning
pottering about with some chores while the rain became sullen and moody alternating
between light showers and heavy downpours. Finally deciding after lunch that
the weather was not going to improve, we went and loaded the kayaks on the car
(in the rain) and headed for the water. We decided to make it a rolling day –
the rain wouldn’t be able to make us any wetter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
Living only a few minutes
from St Georges Basin (an estuary lake open to the sea via a narrow inlet) has
made us a bit lazy and ‘the Basin’ has become our favourite location for
rolling sessions rather than driving the fifteen minutes that would take us to
Jervis Bay (absolutely beautiful for paddling, but last time I took part in a
rolling demo on the bay it was with wind, swell and the water was full of Blue Bottles
– still a fun day but flat, calm, stinger free water also has its appeal). We
cruised past Palm Beach as a possible location, not our usual spot but it has
the advantage of a car park and some undercover facilities. As we approached,
the rain began its real assault and for a moment we entertained the idea that
this may not be the best of plans. Arriving at the park we found a few sorry
looking groups of people huddled under shelters in the rain and wind, some
scurrying to pack up their barbecues while making futile attempts to stay dry.
A couple of die-hards were in swimming, determined to enjoy their day at the
beach, but not looking too happy about it. We decided to drive on to our
favourite spot a bit further round the Basin where we would be more sheltered
from the wind. As we headed into the national park, we left the rain behind and
found our favourite spot to be its usual secluded, calm little hide-away. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljkz0zytD0I_aOy_S4kE61SGltnmvPivNIKXJ0RiHR-oLLyBfpqUoy2HtRbR5crE0SVUrckjpiA7ShCh36Uuc8GrVcIhItWFoqFKqcIHvgBBbgOqmHxvlizGoTxuR5dLAysahE4_RsA/s1600/P1050683-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljkz0zytD0I_aOy_S4kE61SGltnmvPivNIKXJ0RiHR-oLLyBfpqUoy2HtRbR5crE0SVUrckjpiA7ShCh36Uuc8GrVcIhItWFoqFKqcIHvgBBbgOqmHxvlizGoTxuR5dLAysahE4_RsA/s400/P1050683-blog.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
With
a trio of Black Swans gliding past, a Grey Heron hunting on the shore and a
Pelican cruising the shallows, we felt like we were in a different world. The
water called to us and with boats, tuiliks and paddles ready we were going to
have some fun! Joined by our new Australia Day mascot, we spent over three
hours rolling and playing with bracing, sculling, balance braces and lots more
rolling. Playing with a camera mounted on my front deck allowed us to catch
some of the fun on video, although after watching the clips, I do have to
remind myself to smile occasionally when we film the rolls – really I am having
fun! I’m one of those people who really
doesn’t like being in photos or videos, but as my interest in Greenland rolling
and paddling has increased, video has been a great way to share with our
friends overseas and pick up tips and advice from people who are more
experienced, there has also been a bit of friendly rivalry with friends coming
up with new techniques and variations and challenging others to try which is a
lot of fun. I must admit, when Wayne first put a clip of me on Facebook, I
instantly ordered him to take it down, I guess I’ve gotten a little more used
to it now, but still need to work on it <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
With no serious goals
in mind for the day, it was a lot of fun just playing with different rolls and
techniques. Recovering from a shoulder injury meant many of the forward finish
rolls have been off my list for a while, with no pressure to actually get
everything perfect, it felt good to just play with the techniques and get these
working again. Towards the end of the day Wayne finally managed to pry me out
of my boat and had his first turn in the Tahe Greenland, discovering very
quickly that it is a much easier boat to balance brace than his high volume
Aquanaut. Deciding to give myself a challenge, I tried out his boat for a
while, playing with sculling, balance braces and a variety of rolls. While I
have finally acquired a Tahe to make some of the more advanced rolls a little
easier, I love being able to challenge myself and try different boats, the
Aquanaut is a much higher volume boat than I am used to (and fitted out to suit
Wayne) which gave it a very different feeling to roll and balance in, really
making me concentrate on technique and not getting away with any of the short
cuts that the Tahe allows.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFckoH30x_T2Wokd0zLBvKkjYRKealBBTDNIwVu4G164YDRL__4Y8ZKpCh58mJ8gvikLp-vRaiPFZOG7oyMHImTGqOIm_29SCVxvx98f8HOkArvtrqnQ-KL1HwBUAmlTorkmbVlMWA_Q/s1600/P1050692-blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFckoH30x_T2Wokd0zLBvKkjYRKealBBTDNIwVu4G164YDRL__4Y8ZKpCh58mJ8gvikLp-vRaiPFZOG7oyMHImTGqOIm_29SCVxvx98f8HOkArvtrqnQ-KL1HwBUAmlTorkmbVlMWA_Q/s400/P1050692-blog.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A misty view across the 'Basin'.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
With the light fading
and our energy dwindling, we called it a day, having had more than our share of
fun, playing and rolling and enjoying the amazing wildlife this beautiful
location brings – a brief visit from a Stingaree, Sea Eagles soaring overhead,
Black Cockatoos, Herons, Swans, Ducks, and ending the day with a lone Kangaroo
hanging around quite close to our car as we quietly packed up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
I hope everyone else
had a fantastic Australia Day!<br />
<br /></div>Mel Hanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185353230381389440noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66671607169255336.post-91066129737694885222012-01-11T20:19:00.000-08:002012-01-11T21:33:19.845-08:00The Paddling Tree<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU">There are many
firsts in our life experiences that will always stick with us. Most of us have
at least a few memories of our first school, perhaps even of our first teacher,
and memories of our first best friend. Of course there is the over romanticised
first kiss, which never lives up to all the hype of movies and story books. The
first car (which is a far clearer memory for most men than their first romance </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span lang="EN-AU">), first job, first house/flat..... While all these memories will
have varying degrees of importance or clarity for everyone, they all pale into
insignificance for many paddlers when held against the memory of their first
paddling experience. Every paddler remembers their first time on the water,
vividly and usually fondly no matter how early the experience, or even if it
was not such an enjoyable introduction. For each of us, there is something
undefinable that has drawn us to the water, and that keeps us coming back to
it. There are people who paddle, and there are Paddlers. For the Paddlers, it
is not just a hobby or a fun thing to do on a sunny day, it is a way of
life. When asked by non paddlers (yes,
there are such unenlightened, deprived people out there) the question “Why do
you paddle?” It is often difficult to come up with an immediate answer. The
first response is usually a blank gaze as the Paddler ponders “Why are they
asking me such a dumb question?” It’s almost as if someone has just asked “why
do you breathe?”</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0INjTfR5ln1skCfH3lN5H_axqiwvgNpItD_x2iLKvANdG84RNrllsVut2fyP36F9Jigjsr1z4TX-uGME6lZK_cWRCWfc0Yxp2tiPds3N0JJtYGtcFj7P5CVRdMIQfxebufLjRo98h3Q/s1600/Sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="443" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0INjTfR5ln1skCfH3lN5H_axqiwvgNpItD_x2iLKvANdG84RNrllsVut2fyP36F9Jigjsr1z4TX-uGME6lZK_cWRCWfc0Yxp2tiPds3N0JJtYGtcFj7P5CVRdMIQfxebufLjRo98h3Q/s640/Sunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It doesn't get any better.....How do you explain this to a non paddler?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ask people what
they love most about paddling and you will get a broad range of answers.
Tranquillity, excitement, exercise, solitude, friendship, challenges,
relaxation, adrenaline, escape, nature..... the list goes on. For me, it is all
of the above plus some, but one of the things I love most about paddling is the
incredible diversity. There are so many ways to enjoy kayaking there is just no
way it can ever get old. Unfortunately, it is that very diversity that causes
the most trouble in the paddling community.
It is a sad reality that for many, diversity has come to mean
divisiveness.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"> It is human nature to categorise and label, to
judge and compare. Most paddlers like to place themselves in a particular
niche. We give each of these niches a label, and with a label comes a sense of
identity. Now we have different groups of paddlers, all in their own
categories, all wanting to compare themselves against others. To many, the
paddling world is kind of like a tree, each person visualises their own
particular niche as inhabiting one of the highest branches allowing them to
look down upon the other paddlers. And so we have sea kayakers looking down on
flat water paddlers, surfers & rock gardeners looking down on tourers,
racers looking down on recreational paddlers, white water in a tree all of
their own (probably upside down, hanging from their toes and laughing), SOTs
universally sneered at, and everyone thinking the Greenland following are just
crazy. Then there’s the Expeditioners who many treat with a kind of hushed
reverence, perhaps looking upon them as some strange specimen that has left the
tree altogether and are performing the unique marvel of walking on the ground.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU">The trouble is,
once you have given yourself a label and a niche, it is hard to step outside of
the perceived boundaries that create that identity, whether it is stepping
outside your comfort zone, or just being open to new opportunities and
experiences. To limit yourself to one narrowly defined category is to miss some
amazing opportunities. I have had so
many unforgettable experiences in paddling, many of which I would have missed
if I chose to limit my paddling experiences to just one field. Each different
environment has its own beauty and excitement;</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span lang="EN-AU">On Flat Water there
is the unique beauty of gliding across mirror smooth water, your boat cutting
silently through the reflected images of trees, cliffs and sky. There is the
wildlife, a flat water trip is like bush walking on water, with the added
advantage of getting far closer to the wildlife than possible on land – I have
had amazing encounters with Wombats, Wallabies, Kangaroos, Echidnas, snakes,
Goannas, Water Dragons and a host more, not to mention the birds – Wedge Tailed
Eagles, Sea Eagles, Swans, Ducks, Cormorants, Lyre birds, Bell birds,
Lorikeets, Rosellas, Kingfishers and many more (there was also an encounter
with a charging bull that gave a particular spot on a river the nickname of
‘Bull Bend’ but perhaps a story for another time</span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span lang="EN-AU">). One
of the most unforgettable flat water trips I have had was Lake Towada – an
incredibly beautiful lake in the crater of a volcano in Japan. With clouds and
mist settling on the surrounding peaks and the vivid green of the surrounding
bush, we were in a world of our own as we paddled on the crystal clear water,
definitely a destination I would love to return to.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU">On a windy day,
serenity is replaced by excitement, surfing wind driven waves across a lake or
putting on the power and pitting yourself against the wind, many people think
I’m crazy, but I love paddling into a head wind!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKKADlESk9EKHh8bZl5aa84SL48Jx1bYhM8MPApbZ177NtP1ZOXx5bJUtkwkGkGbYT33vx95ieQwsG0UW2k6vjfcyQIg4DiXTGXKs49eqS7SPgG7-ZXPaSR8on_e11zKcfr_YUhRBIA/s1600/Towada.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKKADlESk9EKHh8bZl5aa84SL48Jx1bYhM8MPApbZ177NtP1ZOXx5bJUtkwkGkGbYT33vx95ieQwsG0UW2k6vjfcyQIg4DiXTGXKs49eqS7SPgG7-ZXPaSR8on_e11zKcfr_YUhRBIA/s640/Towada.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paddling with friends on Lake Towada, the rain added it's own magic to the day, surrounded us with cloud and mist.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The sea has its
own mystical draw for many of us and has so much to offer. I love feeling the
rhythm of the ocean swell, or the excitement of punching through a wave, being
slapped in the face by spray, there is the adrenaline of surfing or the
serenity of cruising on a calm day. I have to admit, I value my boat too much
to have tried rock gardening, though I can easily see where the thrill lies for
those who do it. I have had the joy of paddling with dolphins, seals, sea
turtles, sharks, stingrays, stingarees and an amazing array of water birds. The
experience of our boats being escorted by a pair of fairy penguins for about
1km one day was an unforgettable one, as was having dolphins twisting and
turning upside down as they passed under our boats close enough to touch, or
drifting over majestic sting rays – 5-6 feet across gliding silently through
the water. Paddling along towering sea cliffs or over reefs teeming with an
incredible abundance of life, or sitting alone, a tiny speck on the ocean
looking out to the horizon and knowing there is nothing between yourself and
New Zealand over 2000 kms away............ Ocean paddling can be an incredibly
humbling experience.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYDbYWJtkyo1__QVtgUKIKG_pIrjO980wNEMMysTYyCRkQX4XkeseZTuUQmkSp47XoBrZkeqcTpfwEmtrM1d02WZd9w12NpEL2BHB44uXaL86X5LpGVBYBWtQMbPPcsPD70KmCzptsQ/s1600/Tollgate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYDbYWJtkyo1__QVtgUKIKG_pIrjO980wNEMMysTYyCRkQX4XkeseZTuUQmkSp47XoBrZkeqcTpfwEmtrM1d02WZd9w12NpEL2BHB44uXaL86X5LpGVBYBWtQMbPPcsPD70KmCzptsQ/s400/Tollgate.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wayne resting in the shelter of Tollgate Island - A really fun day with <br />
3 meter swell,but otherwise calm, it felt like paddling on a roller coaster.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-AU"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU">Of course there
is the exhilaration and adrenaline of white water, planning your course,
guiding your boat through an exciting rapid and the thrill of being upright at
the end. I remember a hilariously fun day many, many years ago when, bored with
the grade ones and occasional twos on the river we were paddling, we decided
instead to paddle Up each of the rapids. Lining up on each one, picking our
route as we approached, then paddling like crazy to inch our way up the rapid
and into calm water again. We got some rather strange looks from other paddlers
that day, but we had a hell of a lot of fun </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span lang="EN-AU">
Kayaking a river in flood in Borneo tested, and found my limits in white water
(a poor choice of guide and very unsuitable boats certainly added an element to
that experience, as did the flooding which amped the river up a bit from our
expectations), I did make it to the end, a little shaken perhaps, and can’t say
I regret the trip having been given the chance to push myself and test my
limits, but I can definitely say I prefer rafting to kayaking if we’re going
for adrenalin. My hat does go off to the seemingly crazy paddlers who have
developed the skills and experience to tackle rapids and drops that the rest of
us would see as suicidal.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU">The Hawkesbury
Canoe Classic, (a 111km ultra marathon on a tidal affected river) has given me
a great appreciation for long distance events and I have a wish list of events
I would love to tackle when time, finance and fitness allow, the fact that many
of these events regularly have participants in their 60s inspires me and reminds
me that I may not make it to these events as soon as I would like, but it will
never be too late to reach for those goals. The Hawkesbury is held at night
which adds an extra dimension to the mental endurance needed in this race as
you find yourself spending many hours alone on the river, often in complete
darkness. I am hoping the trials I have faced on this river will help prepare
me for some of the tougher events on my list.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZOkdoeLhqQk0bLkoUiQNaHYejgyzo00tyA_O4ZePKU0_xZsf_f03ZiGgeC2EDW-7eJ4GsvNVSbtzqZB3nKQHLwgFa7IlKXXtcAzZlZHrpfCyJUwQKlICa0W1fDMNHo1KuGmcYUStww/s1600/Balance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZOkdoeLhqQk0bLkoUiQNaHYejgyzo00tyA_O4ZePKU0_xZsf_f03ZiGgeC2EDW-7eJ4GsvNVSbtzqZB3nKQHLwgFa7IlKXXtcAzZlZHrpfCyJUwQKlICa0W1fDMNHo1KuGmcYUStww/s400/Balance.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With our strange 'rubber hoodies' and an obsession with rolling, <br />
for some reason other paddlers find the traditional crowd a bit odd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-AU">Then there is
the Greenland paddling skills, those who haven’t been bitten by the Greenland
bug usually think we’re a strange bunch, it is hard for them to understand, and
hard for us to explain. But for many of us, there is a strong draw to history,
culture and tradition. Learning about the history and culture that created the kayak
adds depth and richness to our paddling experience. I have a strong respect for
tradition and believe the origins of any skill should be acknowledged. Kayaking
originated in Greenland and the Arctic circle, we may have changed and adapted
it to suit our recreational uses, but I still believe in giving credit where it
is due, to do otherwise is to rob a people of an important part of their
identity. It may be pointed out by some
that we no longer use kayaks to hunt seal or whales, I still find the traditional
skills fascinating and a lot of fun to learn, and the rolling is unbelievably
fun </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span lang="EN-AU">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span lang="EN-AU"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU">As I have said,
there is an incredible diversity in the kayaking world, I consider myself
fortunate that I have had the chance to experience so much of what it has to
offer. I am certainly not an expert in any field, but simply have a love of
paddling. Even though there are some areas of paddling that may hold less
appeal for me, or some that are beyond my skills, I like to think that we are
all Paddlers. We may find different ways to enjoy the water, and we all have
differing skills or preferred experiences, but we are all united by one thing –
we are passionate about paddling. The water is a shared passion between us all
whether it be sea, river or lake, and whether the paddlers themselves are rough
water thrill seekers, calm water cruisers or somewhere in between.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU">So maybe it’s
time to climb out of the tree and really look at other paddlers, not as someone
to compete with or compare against, but as a fellow paddler who shares the same
passion for the water. Stepping outside your comfort zone can add so much more
to your paddling, for many this simply means being open minded to other
paddlers, or other types of paddling. Next time you start a conversation with a
paddler, don’t start with ‘what type of paddling do you do?’ Try ‘What do you
love about paddling?’ You may find they enjoy all the same things you do, just
in a different way.</span></div>Mel Hanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185353230381389440noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66671607169255336.post-23521421132698051832011-12-23T23:13:00.000-08:002011-12-23T23:13:50.422-08:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> <b>A Kayaker's Kristmas</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The time's drawing nigh to load Santa's sleigh,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But it seems there's a problem, by his look of dismay.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He's checking things over, to be sure nothing's missed,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But it's becoming apparent, that some imp's changed his list.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No teddies, no dolls, no games, bikes or balls,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In fact, he sees none of his usual haul.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Puzzled he stands and surveys the collection,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Trying to make sense of this strange selection.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tight rubber 'skirts', an odd dress called a 'cag',</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Bright coloured ropes coiled neatly in bags.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Gloves, vests and hoods made of black neoprene,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
His cheeks glowing red as he ponders that scene.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A selection of kayaks, all shiny and sleek,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A Greenland style paddle looks sexy and chic.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dry-bags and pumps and a new PFD,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A stranger collection, he never did see.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Meanwhile, the Paddlers are tucked in their beds,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Waterborne visions adrift in their heads.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Their booties are hung (they've been freshly cleaned),</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The room subtly scented with wet neoprene.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And on each sleeping Paddler, a secretive smile,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They know this Christmas will be - </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Kayaker Style.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Mel Hanley</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Paddling :)</span></div>Mel Hanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185353230381389440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66671607169255336.post-53311573923437933072011-12-07T00:59:00.000-08:002011-12-07T01:20:04.902-08:00GUTS 2011. Our Japanese Adventure.<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I first picked up a Greenland Paddle, I could never have guessed where that simple step would lead me. History and tradition have always had a strong draw for me, and of course taking that first step not only added a greater depth to my kayaking experience, it also hooked me on learning more about the history and traditions of kayaking and its origins in Greenland and the Arctic Circle. The greatest surprise has been the many wonderful people I have met on the journey so far. The Greenland Bug has caught on world-wide and there are so many people out there willing to share their passion and their experiences freely with others. Our recent trip to Japan gave me an even greater appreciation for this. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After our adventures in Canada, we returned home via a little detour to Japan. Eiichi Ito, the president of Qajaq Japan, had kindly extended an invitation for us to attend their annual event – GUTS (Greenland Users Trial Stages). I have visited Japan a number of times, for martial arts events, and as an assistant to youth delegations through our community’s Sister City Link. Japan is an amazing country and its culture, history and traditions have held a fascination for me since I was a teenager. It was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A long flight, a train and a Shinkansen (bullet train) later and we were finally at our destination</span></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_7ZofLsUqCvxphBYGvN6KaiEQaUUSTqjOtJm8M_nT5q64p6wahp_mB3vMniNtroWS6LE6ZzRKVggGcYg7F7oEHOOx-oYGw3QceOhX4ity0KC7Fk07FN2b7gnJs0IbsP11Rjs-5E2SQ/s1600/Sticker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_7ZofLsUqCvxphBYGvN6KaiEQaUUSTqjOtJm8M_nT5q64p6wahp_mB3vMniNtroWS6LE6ZzRKVggGcYg7F7oEHOOx-oYGw3QceOhX4ity0KC7Fk07FN2b7gnJs0IbsP11Rjs-5E2SQ/s320/Sticker.JPG" width="299px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Stickers produced by Qajaq Japan to raise funds</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">for the victims of the earthquake & tsunami.</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the earthquake and Tsunami that struck Japan in March this year, GUTS2011 was made a charity event, raising desperately needed funds for the victims of the tragedy, making their theme for this year: Coexistence, Kayak and Sea. The culture and identity of Japan is so closely interwoven with the surrounding sea it is impossible to separate them. Those who spend time with the sea, either for pleasure or for work, gain a healthy respect for the power of the ocean, but when something this devastating strikes, it is hard to imagine living in harmony with such a force. The Sea surrounds us and supports us, it provides for us and, for an island nation, offers protection. It is all too easy to forget how important it is when it has delivered such a terrible blow to the very people who depend on it. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">During the event, there was a talk and slide show given by Soma-San who worked as a volunteer in some of the stricken areas. To see even a fraction of the devastation witnessed by these people is heart breaking, to volunteer in such a situation takes enormous courage and strength and I greatly admire Soma and all the people who worked so hard to help those in need. The catch cry taken up by volunteer groups and fundraisers throughout Japan is the word “Kizuna” which in a rough translation means ‘strong bonds of friendship’, and Kizuna was a word we used often through the weekend, I felt honoured to be friends with such a great group of people.</span></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiih6NHgwm7I40shDmUXXHgAtJgkAneYPXxoZ_n3op11iXqgAW0BNqRinLfO7rX4bAfm31aSaeX3ONU0EoIgZylSzJvoKcXH2-DwR24upHtXRj9-FW3WvW861cdILfaoX-2cS8l0k1vgw/s1600/Library.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiih6NHgwm7I40shDmUXXHgAtJgkAneYPXxoZ_n3op11iXqgAW0BNqRinLfO7rX4bAfm31aSaeX3ONU0EoIgZylSzJvoKcXH2-DwR24upHtXRj9-FW3WvW861cdILfaoX-2cS8l0k1vgw/s320/Library.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>Our bedroom for a few days - we stayed in the </em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>library, </em></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>while Helen had the principal's office.</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With two typhoons sitting off the coast, we saw a lot of rain. Some plans were changed, but everything was kept rolling along smoothly. We stayed in an old school which was about 125 years old. After being closed down when it was down to only eight students, it is now rented from the local government and is the sight of a Nature School. Making it more interesting, all the old school equipment is still in place, complete with student’s artwork and photos on the walls, giving the impression that at any time a bell may ring and a crowd of laughing children are going to appear out of nowhere to attend their classes. We were told that sometimes people who attended here in their childhood still come back to visit and see their old school, revisiting fond memories of their school days.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Qajaq Japan has left its stamp here, with skin on frame kayaks suspended from the ceiling and a classroom converted to a boat building workshop, complete with notations and instructions on the blackboard. The gymnasium also made an excellent place to dry our gear on ropes stretched across the hall, and provided an indoor lecture room when the weather took a turn for the worse and one of our lessons became a theory class instead of braving the weather to get on the water again.</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTXXban5vqQG9GexXPbRIvfPf34-3kEZp9XhhTQmNBhEoca9ByodktnINUVhU7jooU_2_dDVD_arGKLJJ1cEYK1w83VK4GI9nbU2WjT2K0m1pZm6trGka_SZCW3y0xRgFZla-nJAbvg/s1600/boats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTXXban5vqQG9GexXPbRIvfPf34-3kEZp9XhhTQmNBhEoca9ByodktnINUVhU7jooU_2_dDVD_arGKLJJ1cEYK1w83VK4GI9nbU2WjT2K0m1pZm6trGka_SZCW3y0xRgFZla-nJAbvg/s640/boats.JPG" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Beautiful Skin On Frame kayaks under construction.</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The instructor for the event, and judge for the competition was Helen Wilson, who we had met just two weeks earlier at Thunder Bay in Canada. Lessons with Helen had been heaps of fun, and had helped me greatly with my progress, seeing me get my first Hand Rolls and Forward Finishing Rolls, with a number of variations thrown in. The Greenland interest is slowly growing in Australia, but it is not organised. With individuals or small groups scattered across the country exploring on their own, there is no one teaching these skills on a formal basis in Australia. Our trip gave me the opportunity to learn from some of the most dedicated teachers out there. I was looking forward to more lessons and fun with Helen.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Language of course, can often be a problem when travelling, but we were fortunate to have the help of Natalie, a translator working for the local government, who did an amazing job, and worked hard for the whole event. We also had help from Miklos, a Hungarian kayaker who teaches English studies at a university in Japan and was participating in GUTS. It is unfortunate, and a little embarrassing, that over the many years I have been interested in Japan, I have not been able to learn Japanese. It is almost impossible to find a teacher of any language unless you live near a city. If you live in a small town, you’re on your own. With a handful of phrases, a rather random selection of words, and a lot of martial arts terminology, it is frustrating to not know more. Each time I return from a trip to Japan, I have a renewed drive to learn this rich and complex language. In the meantime, we had the help of our translators, and a lot of patience and understanding from our Japanese friends.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our first lessons and practice sessions took place on the beautiful Lake Ogawara. We were appointed to our teams by random draw and then hit the water for some lessons from Helen and a lot of practice to get the required rolls for the competition. These sessions were a lot of fun, with a wonderful, inclusive atmosphere. This wasn’t just an event for the experts but included paddlers of all skill levels with some getting their very first rolls during the weekend.</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn411iaSSD0mYej8yhEOLeWJ3ww3C13vq0-Ev0eL-i1GCaxPaMvnAKNUTP_a1xc20Ch5ybvBIeu6H-lqWCM2tv33sBQU0YWZdFHbqoBugiFZ_l_e82vM3DIOa9Rs63W7o1zy31rzmw6A/s1600/Ogawara.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="406px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn411iaSSD0mYej8yhEOLeWJ3ww3C13vq0-Ev0eL-i1GCaxPaMvnAKNUTP_a1xc20Ch5ybvBIeu6H-lqWCM2tv33sBQU0YWZdFHbqoBugiFZ_l_e82vM3DIOa9Rs63W7o1zy31rzmw6A/s640/Ogawara.JPG" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Participants practicing on the beautiful Lake Ogawara.</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Instead of the whole rolling list, each team would demonstrate a set of three basic techniques, considered some of the most important ones, - The Standard Greenland Roll, Side Sculling, and the Storm Roll, with an additional two rolls randomly drawn from a list of more advanced techniques. I thought this was a wonderful idea as it encouraged everyone to take part. I was very fortunate with my draw, my team leader was none other than Eiichi Ito, president of Qajaq Japan; expert roller, boat builder and avid paddler. Now I was under pressure to lift my standard </span></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Helen led a session on forward finishing rolls which helped me improve my storm roll, then we practiced with our teams. </span></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1G_kj6gle3QMsVNQV7Qkf_2QS-d5PdgIn46vsWWYhRWXOZfBcnv05Yp3W7DsKDr79axXs16xgEgyyLPH9Yw7Oougny5lEDLA9NnxL1NgVHDram31VXzqW8E_HEKxBKftEMmWuXRwLow/s1600/Wayne.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1G_kj6gle3QMsVNQV7Qkf_2QS-d5PdgIn46vsWWYhRWXOZfBcnv05Yp3W7DsKDr79axXs16xgEgyyLPH9Yw7Oougny5lEDLA9NnxL1NgVHDram31VXzqW8E_HEKxBKftEMmWuXRwLow/s320/Wayne.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>Wayne, under Helen's expert guidance, </em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>with Natalie standing by.</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While Eiichi-san helped another team member with his rolls, he recruited Nao-san, last year’s champion, to help me. I was determined to get my elbow roll, one of the more advanced rolls (a variation on the hand roll with one hand held behind the head). With a couple of demonstrations, and a lot of expert assistance, I achieved my first Elbow Roll! Not satisfied with just one success, I spent the next 20 minutes or so practicing over and over again to make sure I had it.</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2G9gfBAC0n1v29rJHCZyxjfQcu6WaEsxW_5Pj-YS_psmPK9NXfseBHWy3ZzKIAs7pUa007ISBz8awBqlSSqg6dwGQSF3XmbUCWcHTnyu71v0Qg0fp89YhN-uEhOxGUtga-77M8oWfg/s1600/Group.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2G9gfBAC0n1v29rJHCZyxjfQcu6WaEsxW_5Pj-YS_psmPK9NXfseBHWy3ZzKIAs7pUa007ISBz8awBqlSSqg6dwGQSF3XmbUCWcHTnyu71v0Qg0fp89YhN-uEhOxGUtga-77M8oWfg/s640/Group.JPG" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>Participants of GUTS 2011. Group photo at Lake Ogawara.</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we had first found out the event was to include a competition, we had thought maybe we could just go along as spectators. I still consider myself a newcomer to Greenland style kayaking, there would still be plenty to learn from watching the competition without the risk of embarrassing myself. We weren’t to be given that option. </span></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> After learning so much in Canada, I was feeling a little more confident, but our choice of rolls had me worried. Our draw had given us the Armpit Roll (one I can easily do) and the Brick Roll, having only gotten my hand roll two weeks previous this one had me nervous. I had done a hand roll with a small rock but the competition requirement of eight kg is a bit daunting. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Braving the rain, we all headed to the beach, the competition being held in the waves and swell of the ocean rather than the flat calm waters of the lake. Our turn came about all too soon and I jumped into my borrowed boat, not realising until I paddled away from shore that someone had shortened up the foot-pegs since the quick practice I had done earlier that morning. This made for a tighter fit and made the boat feel a lot more tippy as I paddled out into the waves. </span></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHhKoBZrHbcxVhwSj-rIbahm17M1P2W38N8oSw1Fn4hyphenhyphenSy4v5P2IOEbAtN27uwRE-j8bKzn-S0uqaTHSEth5Vt6sdZSeRvfspcIAhQ6EMIHtE4HtcOrlAgv8cfOn1PDC5-9VwTMN3Vg/s1600/Comp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHhKoBZrHbcxVhwSj-rIbahm17M1P2W38N8oSw1Fn4hyphenhyphenSy4v5P2IOEbAtN27uwRE-j8bKzn-S0uqaTHSEth5Vt6sdZSeRvfspcIAhQ6EMIHtE4HtcOrlAgv8cfOn1PDC5-9VwTMN3Vg/s320/Comp.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Eiichi and I setting up for a roll.</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eiichi-san and I took up positions and awaited our signals from the beach, performing each of the rolls side by side (our other team member didn’t make it on this day so it was just the two of us). The first rolls went smoothly and it was now time for the moment of truth – The Brick Roll. When I first started in rolling and came across this in the ‘rolling list’, I thought it had to be a typo - 8kg seemed like a lot of brick. I was right about it being a big brick, wrong about the typo. The brick was delivered to me by a paddler waiting nearby. Eiichi directed him to give me the first attempt, I guess he already knew he could do it. My first problem was not the weight, I have really small hands – just gripping the brick was a challenge. I knew how the roll would work in theory, but theory is a bit different to sitting in a tiny boat in the waves holding eight kgs of brick and convincing yourself that you can roll back up. Fortunately the safety line attached to it was enough distraction for me, there was a long length of cord and a float attached to the brick so it could be retrieved if dropped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was paranoid about getting tangled in the rope midway through the roll, so I carefully ran the cord back and forth across the edge of the brick so it would come free if I did have to drop it, but would not be trailing through the water as I rolled. </span></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFrMhWMuRPWAbuAb-t_EGOgDDhuCwwhVZOkBCJ_UiOq2HT_yCbhguuNmOI-IkrUN1ubuvUAjj0zphno68iMirSCmEqyOsnshPhYi1eZs7pD1F_sioODC-9iozFn2Jy1q7Ztq2GVnR_Q/s1600/Brick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFrMhWMuRPWAbuAb-t_EGOgDDhuCwwhVZOkBCJ_UiOq2HT_yCbhguuNmOI-IkrUN1ubuvUAjj0zphno68iMirSCmEqyOsnshPhYi1eZs7pD1F_sioODC-9iozFn2Jy1q7Ztq2GVnR_Q/s320/Brick.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The infamous 8kg Brick! </span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source of much anxiety.</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Without giving myself any more time to think about it, I positioned the brick, rolled in and was up and breathing again before I knew it. Holding the brick in the air in a victory salute would have had a great dramatic flair, and it is certainly what I felt like doing, but with such a tenuous grip on it, and the instability of my boat, I had to wait for the safety boat to come over and raft up before I could bring the brick back on the deck, I think my smile showed sufficient elation. Eiichi-san of course completed his roll smoothly and confidently, and we paddled back into shore to watch the remaining teams.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many teams had drawn rolls that members couldn’t do, but they would still get points for the ones they did complete. It was great to see so many people willing to get out and give it a go, not concerned with winning, but just having fun, and giving each other support and encouragement. There were certainly more experienced rollers out there than me, but I was very lucky in both the team selection, and the rolls we were given. Eiichi-san and I were the winning team!</span></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyZlbxsIw-X1QyGnByV2inPeGNtnmQVK6CCd3shWPCGC2AN3ZSXbc5B3M4WBPI4nuAQAubpfrhyphenhyphen_B-Jt1myB4gS8vcOJtn4cfWyF6L5PfPZKOz_98UCrGiJivaZKtdOSOuB49COSElA/s1600/Champions.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyZlbxsIw-X1QyGnByV2inPeGNtnmQVK6CCd3shWPCGC2AN3ZSXbc5B3M4WBPI4nuAQAubpfrhyphenhyphen_B-Jt1myB4gS8vcOJtn4cfWyF6L5PfPZKOz_98UCrGiJivaZKtdOSOuB49COSElA/s320/Champions.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>Eiichi Ito and myself. 2011 GUTS Champions.</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course, not all of our time was spent rolling. There was a welcome banquet at a local restaurant with an amazing selection of Japanese food, local sight-seeing with many wonderful places to see, visits to onsen (Japanese bath houses), evening celebrations at the nature school (one evening leading to a series of ‘in-jokes’ about squid and rockets that has probably had a lot of people very confused since), an auction of goods to raise additional funds for the earthquake appeal, a BBQ feast at a local seafood market, and on our final day a paddle on Lake Towada – a beautiful lake in the crater of a volcano. The light rain, mist and clouds adding their own magic to the day. All of this added to an incredible experience with many, many fond memories.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzd2Lzk9sI4zjiLHHnXod8p9zgT-9Hy2MQFIztys9YnURWCfRQuu8Y2zRxdrjJlXWmPbesD0_REjmlOQ_tvGw7mCaK5vjE-lAAKRG5BmczZ0KHNSiEd-wbLKPltchKfcS6tpT3Faevkw/s1600/Towada.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzd2Lzk9sI4zjiLHHnXod8p9zgT-9Hy2MQFIztys9YnURWCfRQuu8Y2zRxdrjJlXWmPbesD0_REjmlOQ_tvGw7mCaK5vjE-lAAKRG5BmczZ0KHNSiEd-wbLKPltchKfcS6tpT3Faevkw/s640/Towada.JPG" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Paddling with friends on the amazing Lake Towada.</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The day of departure came and we were sad to have to say goodbye to our friends. Together with Helen, we rode on the Shinkansen back to Tokyo. Our first shinkansen ride had been at night and so there had been nothing to see outside except the occasional blur of lights as we sped past a city. This time we had daylight and were able to look out at the surrounding countryside as we zoomed past. It was sobering to see the many earthquake damaged buildings still waiting for repair, and the construction sites where buildings had been demolished, too damaged to be saved. So far from the epicentre, this was just a glimpse of the more minor damage that had been suffered. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we drew closer to Tokyo, the weather worsened, the rain falling harder until any visibility beyond the train tracks was gone. We passed over rivers and creeks swollen with flood water, adding to our concern that Japan was to be hit by yet another blow from Mother Nature. A change of trains and we were on our way to the airport, making our farewells to Helen as we got off at our terminal. After wondering through the shops and taking our last chance for a Japanese meal. We settled down to watch the information boards. After seeing the steadily worsening weather as we travelled, we had our doubts about leaving on time. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fn5a2qPdZZH9BfbHskikCRn0ZDGhnypfIr81RS8RscDb4LoA4fYuI-Hl_xs6DZJpH45SVJNlbXrnKFZq17CYerhqZE_v-9yAQln9wJGB3zVHr71PJQEOEek1qTrHyi6rKPu94u7cNA/s1600/Departures.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fn5a2qPdZZH9BfbHskikCRn0ZDGhnypfIr81RS8RscDb4LoA4fYuI-Hl_xs6DZJpH45SVJNlbXrnKFZq17CYerhqZE_v-9yAQln9wJGB3zVHr71PJQEOEek1qTrHyi6rKPu94u7cNA/s400/Departures.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Watching the red cancellations appear on the departures board.</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As expected, the boards showed a steadily growing list in red of cancelled flights. When our flight came up, it was not with the cancellation notice that others had, but with “New Date” noted next to it. The typhoon had hit Tokyo and all flights were grounded. I quickly came to appreciate the difference between a quality airline and a budget one. We were given our boarding passes for our new flight leaving in the morning, an information sheet explaining everything, and were bussed to a hotel in Tokyo where we had a nice room provided, meal vouchers, and they even pre-booked our 4am wake up call. Those on the budget airline weren’t so fortunate. It was an interesting way for us to get an extra night in Japan </span></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Japanese Red Cross are still running their appeal for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami, until March 2012. While the media may have moved on and forgotten about this great tragedy, there are still so many people in need. It will take Japan many years to recover, rebuilding takes time, but that is only one aspect. So many people have lost so much, not just their homes and possessions are gone, but whole communities have simply disappeared. So many people are alone, jobless and missing family and friends to support them as they face the challenge of rebuilding their lives. Please visit Japanese Red Cross at :<a href="http://www.jrc.or.jp/eq-japan2011/donation/l4/Vcms4_00002379.html" target="_blank">http://www.jrc.or.jp/eq-japan2011/donation/l4/Vcms4_00002379.html</a> and give your support.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks go to Eiichi Ito, Takuma Togawa, Soma, Helen, Natalie, Miklos and all the other fantastic people of Qajaq Japan who gave us this amazing opportunity and an unforgettable experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>KIZUNA </span></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7fHLq2JKbixQ5S5n6DGVmTb80fqdjDqx1dII7yEkC7t-bNUd8FUhSsPBVlqHIbtehAKakGa8mgTIVmkr3gLL6dRvFgkqVUDnbH6qchAsBdGY_KhUCqfySxf1pOwM4KyALvs7Mmld8g/s1600/Kizuna2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7fHLq2JKbixQ5S5n6DGVmTb80fqdjDqx1dII7yEkC7t-bNUd8FUhSsPBVlqHIbtehAKakGa8mgTIVmkr3gLL6dRvFgkqVUDnbH6qchAsBdGY_KhUCqfySxf1pOwM4KyALvs7Mmld8g/s640/Kizuna2.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>Mel Hanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185353230381389440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66671607169255336.post-14993461105633056212011-10-28T23:33:00.000-07:002011-10-28T23:46:01.554-07:00Tackling the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic – With a Greenland Paddle<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last year, I participated for the first time in the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic (HCC), a 111km ultra marathon held on a tidal river – at night. Facing a long night of rain, strong tides, complete darkness and a final 10km stretch with 35+kn winds, I made it across the finish line in 16 hours 11 minutes. 2010 was reported as the worst weather experienced in the 34 years this event had been held, a third of the field were unable to finish, there were many capsizes in that final stretch, and as the weather worsened, those still on the water had the last stage of their race cancelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had so much fun I wanted to sign up again as soon as I crossed the finish line.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This event isn’t just for fun but has a serious purpose – it is a charity fund raiser with the major beneficiary being the Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation which raises money for Leukaemia research. This is a cause with personal connections for me – as a teenager I watched a friend struggle against a disease that is all the more cruel for its prevalence in afflicting children. Vicki was a strong, courageous, vibrant and beautiful girl – she died before her sixteenth birthday. Treatment and services have been improved greatly over the years and I am proud to be a part of an event that will continue to contribute to those improvements, knowing every step forward will increase the quality of life and chances of recovery for those struck by this terrible disease. Last year the HCC donated a record $324,000 to the Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was eager to challenge the river again, and this time to be a little bit different, I decided to use a Greenland Paddle. What better way to promote their use and strike up some interest than to prove their effectiveness over the gruelling 111km. With overseas trips, and all the practice I’d put into Greenland rolling, I’d had less time for training for the HCC this year, but I was still confident I could improve on last year’s time – I figured if I made it through last year’s fun weather, this year should be much easier – I should have paid closer attention to the tide charts </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>A flurry of activity at the scrutineering tent.</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first tasks for the day are registration and scrutineering. Boats are queued up and everyone takes their turn to have their craft and compulsory safety gear officially checked and their race numbers affixed. Then comes the long, nervous wait. I’m in the non-competitive ‘Brooklyn or Bust’ class which is the first to start at 4.00pm. While there are plenty of uber fit athlete types polishing their hulls and trying to scrape seconds off their best times, there are still plenty of paddlers of average fitness willing to give it a go and just happy to make it over the finish line – that’s me </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hDyLuY58h704uBIgTHnae9A5uBZEzbjOogBF_ruqzA2Cw2rY8DMBG-bZ5pd8NbNBtfD93MnuqhMUcUY6cF-NBh2a18sR3Oxhn7UBstasJ78m6jh7CwfLGjNttr9WrlhBOYZXVGriWw/s1600/B3-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hDyLuY58h704uBIgTHnae9A5uBZEzbjOogBF_ruqzA2Cw2rY8DMBG-bZ5pd8NbNBtfD93MnuqhMUcUY6cF-NBh2a18sR3Oxhn7UBstasJ78m6jh7CwfLGjNttr9WrlhBOYZXVGriWw/s640/B3-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Boat, landcrew and paddler waiting .... It's well worth arriving early </em><em>to get a shady spot - Windsor gets Hot</em>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>A crowd of paddlers all wait their turn to pass through the marshalling gates.</em></td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The latter part of the day goes all too swiftly with pre race briefings, final preparations to be made on the boats, a quick change into paddling gear and then it’s a hustle to get a crowd of kayaks through the marshalling gates, past their final inspection and into the water. Everyone jostles for position gathering for the obligatory photo op then, with the crack of the starter’s pistol we’re off! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5BJKP8C0CMYmXoELc4Wf81_F9cf9knK3uQDlmMJervxyErTvOoppvxm50GAXED7MNLjwr3_ZzvCpA2bdyTtnkm0umWjEAVsLsDiVgczljvRcD9w95IloHC6XnnqLqehuQZn18V83mA/s1600/B3-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5BJKP8C0CMYmXoELc4Wf81_F9cf9knK3uQDlmMJervxyErTvOoppvxm50GAXED7MNLjwr3_ZzvCpA2bdyTtnkm0umWjEAVsLsDiVgczljvRcD9w95IloHC6XnnqLqehuQZn18V83mA/s640/B3-4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>The front of the pack - there are 99 paddlers registered for this division (My boat's nose just in frame on top right).</em></td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even in a non competitive class, there are those who get caught up in the excitement and want to get off to a racing start, it’s best not to get in their way. As the chaos dies down everyone gets into their own rhythm and the field begins to sort itself out, I found myself paddling with Michael whom I’d spoken to on-line for a while but met for the first time today, and Alastair – both first timers in the HCC.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was easy to forget the pain and fatigue of last year’s effort, I had also forgotten just how beautiful the river is. We paddled along at a steady pace, the winding river treating us with an ever changing view of bushland, sandstone cliffs and riverfront homes. We still had a few hours of hot sun beating down on us and I found myself wishing for some of the cloud cover we’d had last year. Even this far upstream the effects of the incoming tide could be felt and we were working hard to keep up a good pace against it. As we paddled along, chatting and admiring the river I was frequently asked about my Greenland paddle by other kayakers. This would be the most common conversation starter for the whole night. I couldn’t help gaining a little satisfaction from some of the comments made as I apparently made it look like I was comfortably cruising with my skinny paddle, while others had to work hard to keep the same pace.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiha59GpylkjgwlNuOFFb6qrYs1bLE6eDGQ2LK6d8171M-8foBU1K_OCBBHC_JBChpM90l8lSGtanqRALA48owefXKklvMTc4J1mOKdt2q-tuMnXd-Vm_hpZxnuops_xOA9z9mYYfYaoA/s1600/B3-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiha59GpylkjgwlNuOFFb6qrYs1bLE6eDGQ2LK6d8171M-8foBU1K_OCBBHC_JBChpM90l8lSGtanqRALA48owefXKklvMTc4J1mOKdt2q-tuMnXd-Vm_hpZxnuops_xOA9z9mYYfYaoA/s400/B3-5.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Passing checkpoint A with Michael.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All too soon we were approaching our first checkpoint - the first of many to be passed through the night. Each checkpoint has a letter designation from A through to T forming a vital safety network. These are manned throughout the night by volunteers who record the number of each paddler to pass, note the time, and relay the information onward. Only four of these points can be accessed by our land-crews, ‘A’ is an optional stop, at only 12.4 kms into the course few people stop here, but it is great to have our crew wave and cheer us on as we pass. Our trio kept on paddling, joined briefly by a double kayak. I was pleasantly surprised when they recognised my boat, these were the two paddlers I had spent most of the night either paddling with, or leap frogging throughout last year’s race, catching up with each other at the end after battling through the wind and recording similar finishing times. It was great to see them back again this year, although I felt they were cheating by using a double this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These first few hours are the first test in resolve. Old injuries wake up and call for attention (after 16 years in martial arts there are a few of those) and muscles stiffen in protest. All you can do is keep paddling, it all sorts itself out eventually. As we paddled on we were treated to the river at its finest. A pair of Black Cockatoos flew high overhead, swallows darted in and out of their nests tucked under ledges in the beautiful sandstone cliffs. I couldn’t help stopping for a couple of hasty photos, a quick burst of speed easily catching me back up with my paddling partners. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1kLA8ETPeu6VIgynq3LqNbgXlDkge_1jlb6ecRvS5NlbjWvi210t9hGAc_RSEHS7yd64V32qVM2rAHl7oA93JI1AuQ_MyTEjscS_CX4enzXDAg_w7kzd0CEOYTCEihbHeVwpoBACkA/s1600/B3-6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1kLA8ETPeu6VIgynq3LqNbgXlDkge_1jlb6ecRvS5NlbjWvi210t9hGAc_RSEHS7yd64V32qVM2rAHl7oA93JI1AuQ_MyTEjscS_CX4enzXDAg_w7kzd0CEOYTCEihbHeVwpoBACkA/s640/B3-6.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Michael admiring the beautiful sandstone cliffs that line this stretch of the river. </em><br />
<em>(We were still paddling hard while sightseeing)</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AFhOWQrCsp095Z8FBAOZIi-l2WBAyApoVO7p8agI6jaL0kHcDVn8LulvkPdEa0FI9WJi2aBALloWRcScx990CZXAPU2x82bc_zekBRZ4GesrOxvGjhDa9rPD3QC56Vs924eZjGAJiw/s1600/B3-8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AFhOWQrCsp095Z8FBAOZIi-l2WBAyApoVO7p8agI6jaL0kHcDVn8LulvkPdEa0FI9WJi2aBALloWRcScx990CZXAPU2x82bc_zekBRZ4GesrOxvGjhDa9rPD3QC56Vs924eZjGAJiw/s400/B3-8.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>The last of the light.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> took a couple of more pics as the sun set and the light faded then the camera got tucked away, there would be no more time for photos during the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The encroaching darkness brought another surprise for the first timers. Each boat is equipped with a green cyalume (glow stick) at bow and stern. These tiny sparks of light gliding down the river are a beautiful sight, giving a feeling of connection even to the boats far ahead. We followed the stream of green glows onward past the next few checkpoints. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My paddle still drew lots of interest, with others paddling alongside for a while and asking questions as we went. Alastair complained that I kept sneaking up on him any time I paddled behind him, he couldn’t hear the paddle as it glided silently through the water, a strong contrast to the slap and splash of the wing paddles favoured by the majority of paddlers. We paddled into Sackville together, wishing each other luck as we separated to find our respective land-crews.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOr6R1LByDDvVayfKfpDWq52QVURg0pudpvIAD_8lFOeqkxfi-3q_4-Oeks8MqYe2NlWn_WRPx4WS5P20-KJISXCf3PfqWE4po6Xs-IbHqNNfZP1L1M2GUhg7PXQJ-YxB9uwD97njSlg/s1600/B3-9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOr6R1LByDDvVayfKfpDWq52QVURg0pudpvIAD_8lFOeqkxfi-3q_4-Oeks8MqYe2NlWn_WRPx4WS5P20-KJISXCf3PfqWE4po6Xs-IbHqNNfZP1L1M2GUhg7PXQJ-YxB9uwD97njSlg/s320/B3-9.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Landcrew for 500 paddlers wait in the darkness </em><br />
<em>for their paddlers to arrive at Sackville.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My crew did an amazing job, pulling my boat up and out of the way, refilling my water and changing maps while Wayne basted my back in liniment, handed over the ibuprofen and I rushed down a sandwich. Our first official stop and I was refuelled, refreshed and back on the water in under the fifteen minutes we had allocated for this stop. The tide had finally turned and I was eager to get back on the water and make the most of it. With a last shout of ‘see you at Wisemans’ I was off again, paddling strongly and looking forward to the next stretch.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Straight out of the checkpoint I realised the tides were very different this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year, while waiting at a ferry crossing, I’d had a lot of trouble holding my place against the current – a few even capsized as they fought to hold steady against the strong current and avoid being swept into the ferry cables. This year, if you stopped paddling for a moment to grab a muesli bar, or fiddle with some equipment, you stopped. The help I was hoping for from the current wasn’t going to be there. I paddled onward, pushing my pace up, if I wasn’t getting much help from the tide, I at least wasn’t being hindered anymore. I had a longer break planned for the next major checkpoint so I felt I could push harder and have a bit of time to recover.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had enjoyed the social aspect of the first part of our paddle but now I was on my own. This is what I enjoy most, just me and the river (and about 500 other paddlers but they weren’t intruding). A river at night has its own unique beauty. The occasional bat flew overhead and their high pitched calls were added to the soft chorus of crickets, frogs and birds. The river banks were just silhouettes and shadows as the river followed its winding course. I was frequently passed by faster boats as the doubles, skis and k4s powered down the river and true to the HCC spirit, most of them would exchange a few quick words, giving encouragement and sharing their enthusiasm before disappearing into the darkness. I pushed on, trying to set a pace that would eat up the distance without destroying myself in the process. I have heard stories of more competitive paddlers pushing beyond their limits, thinking hallucinations and dehydration a fair trade off for extra speed. If I’m going to spend all night paddling, I’d rather enjoy it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The lights of ‘Wisemans’ finally appeared and I pulled into checkpoint ‘I’ at about 1.30am. I quickly found my land-crew who once again did a great job looking after me and my boat. A change into dry clothes and a cup of soup had me feeling fresh again and ready to go. Wayne let me know how my time was going, I was well behind the time I had expected and the tide would be turning again soon. Last year had started with an outgoing tide – the changes through the night meant two out going tides during the course. This year was reversed. We had started against the tide, struggling to keep a good pace against the resistance, had little help from the outgoing tide and would soon be facing another high tide coming our way. Everyone was hurting, but those willing to get back on the water were still determined. I had to accept that I wasn’t going to achieve the ambitious time I had set myself, but was still certain I could beat last year’s time. A final farewell to my land-crew and I was off. I wouldn’t see them again until the finish.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I paddled strongly and made it past the first ferry crossing. Feeling fresher after the rest I put in a bit more speed, rounded a bend and came to the next crossing (not sure who decided there needed to be two ferries so close to each other). The ferry was in motion so I had to stop. There are four ferry crossings along the course and there are strict rules about passing them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An official boat moored before each crossing ensures these rules are followed. Any incidents between ferries and kayaks could result in the event losing its licence for the use of the river. The threat of disqualification takes care of those who may be foolish enough to still take risks. We all face the same disadvantages – sometimes you have to stop, sometimes you get lucky with the timing and just paddle on. It was with mixed feelings that I watched the ferry cross, a car and trailer loaded with three kayaks on board, there were at least three paddlers who decided Wisemans was their limit. Thanking the volunteers I headed on into the darkness. Not long after, I was passed again by boat number 111 – a k4 encountered earlier and deserving of special mention. Most of the k4s and outriggers are very competitive. They don’t speak to you as they pass, putting all their concentration and energy into keeping perfect timing and on choosing the best lines. Boat 111 was different – they chatted and laughed among themselves, they talked to each and every paddler they passed and as they zoomed along paddling in perfect unison, they gave the impression that they were having a blast. Just the thing to lift the spirits of the slower paddlers. </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With the faster boats pulling rapidly away and the slower ones still (hopefully) behind me, I found myself alone with the river once more. This stretch was just as I remembered <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– Dark! The cyalumes were now a feeble glow, only visible at close range. Every now and then sounds carried along the water, the splash of paddles, snatches of conversation or even singing, but the phantom paddlers stayed elusively out of sight. As scheduled, the moon rose about 3.15am. A tiny sliver of a crescent moon hanging just above a hilltop, it gave such a feeble light I wondered why it bothered at all. Soon after, I think it gave up in embarrassment, disappearing again leaving me with only the stars for company. As I paddled along I was treated to a brief meteor shower – an amazing sight to experience on the river. Navigation was getting trickier now, it was getting even darker with fog starting to gather. While I enjoy paddling alone, there is something to be said for those who team up with club members or friends, they always have someone to encourage them and to help keep up the pace. I had only myself to rely on and had to keep pushing myself to paddle faster, not wanting to lose more speed than necessary to the tides. Just to add insult to injury, the river also had many weed choked stretches. Even at high tide these had been a problem, now with the water still low it was impossible to avoid them all.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Between checkpoints L and M is the ‘Low tide pitstop’, an interesting feature of the race. A bonfire on the bank glows invitingly, and volunteers in gumboots lure people in with the promise of tea, hot chocolate and even home made scones. These guys do an amazing job, between the water and that cozy fire is a broad stretch of thick, sticky, river mud. The volunteers spend the night knee deep in mud hauling boats up to firm ground so tired paddlers can stagger over to the fire and warm up. I declined their hospitality, remembering a skeg box packed solidly with mud and way too much time lingering by the fire last year, but I thanked them for their efforts as I passed. The number of boats pulled up in the mud reassured me that there would still be plenty behind me as I paddled onward. Next came probably the toughest section of the whole night for me.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With the tide still against us, the few boats in sight were creeping along the river’s edge, trying to make use of eddies to ease the resistance. The pace I had been pushing all night was taking its toll and I was feeling very very tired. Added to that was a constant feeling of nausea and reflux and I was to spend the final 20kms fighting this (I later heard that a number of people had issues with illness during the night). As I fought against the current, stronger at this end of the river, I was surprised to find that I was nodding off. My eyes kept closing of their own accord and I would snap awake at each pause in cadence. I had heard of others falling asleep while paddling and just couldn’t imagine how it was possible. Time for more food. A quick muesli bar, more water and I paddled on, only to find my eyes blurring out of focus and closing again. I struggled onward as I approached checkpoint O. It was past dawn. There had been no dramatic sunrise, no fanfare, just a steadily increasing amount of light and a lot more noise from the various birds who had spent the last hour or so announcing to all that they were awake. Last year, when I passed this point, it was still dark. It was time to face facts and check on the time, something I had avoided doing all night – I had already paddled hard throughout the night, checking on my progress earlier could not have made a difference. A quick look on the GPS told me more than I wanted to know. It was already past the time I had intended on finishing. Dealing with disappointment and frustration is something I have to help my students with frequently, giving myself the same advice was much harder. Combining disappointment with physical and mental exhaustion, it was a struggle to not just put my paddle down there and then. I shook myself out of it and paddled on. I wasn’t going to make the time I wanted, but I was still going to paddle across that finish line. On to the next check point and another 4km down. I finally caught up with a few other paddlers, struggling against exhaustion to make that last stretch before the finish. I spoke briefly with a gentleman who was paddling his sixth HCC, he told me the same thing several others had said during the night – this had been their toughest year yet. With the tides and their timing, I had the consolation that many had struggled through the night and were getting much slower times than they had wanted. I had to remind myself my main goal was just to get to the finish line – I am not a racer, just an average paddler in a sea kayak aiming to get to the finish. Passing through Milsons passage, I passed the island and the end was in sight. I paddled onwards hoping to finish looking stronger than I felt. I finally crossed the finish line with a time of 16hours 53 minutes, feeling far more ragged and exhausted than I had last year.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNLzUSlu5X493nAdGatxThIuhwfFD8W0scSPyPc5C_Nkdv_g4y-g-iiCaglyfGBni4CbUxslNdM5QS97RobpdoYsZihcQm5562X_6VjnoS3IGvZzzPZSuI-A6RxAfcihiIohRfSK_Qg/s1600/B3-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNLzUSlu5X493nAdGatxThIuhwfFD8W0scSPyPc5C_Nkdv_g4y-g-iiCaglyfGBni4CbUxslNdM5QS97RobpdoYsZihcQm5562X_6VjnoS3IGvZzzPZSuI-A6RxAfcihiIohRfSK_Qg/s640/B3-10.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Crossing the finish line at 16hours 53 minutes.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have to admit, there were a few dark moments during the night when I doubted I would ever do the HCC again, but as my crew helped me up the ramp, I was already making plans for next year. <strong>Let’s see what the tides bring next time!</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIkYY7tDqImUgvPOkKzoWAiUebSsqP5-MQI0hw-A_IwKE4-DHXZuZeOOYh5yDU7QnrincXJlc_y-bCdTEYmuQna6guAg-rv-OWTMptl-VbfO_iaRuNpqDsqwLgyITx89c2g5WrJFuOw/s1600/B3-12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIkYY7tDqImUgvPOkKzoWAiUebSsqP5-MQI0hw-A_IwKE4-DHXZuZeOOYh5yDU7QnrincXJlc_y-bCdTEYmuQna6guAg-rv-OWTMptl-VbfO_iaRuNpqDsqwLgyITx89c2g5WrJFuOw/s640/B3-12.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Rudder up and ready to try standing after a long night of paddling, </em><br />
<em>other paddlers in frame (top right) - making their final push to the finish line.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>Mel Hanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185353230381389440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66671607169255336.post-24541166659202979162011-10-20T04:23:00.000-07:002011-10-20T05:07:21.084-07:00The Great Canadian Adventure!<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Okay, so I have to admit, it started with a Facebook conversation. While chatting across time-zones to a facebook friend in <place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">Canada</country-region></place> I found myself invited to OGC – Ontario Greenland Camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thoughts of a Canadian trip had already been briefly discussed; Joe O’Blenis who makes the beautiful paddles we sell, was organising his own paddling event in <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Thunder Bay</city></place>. With a list of features such as solo canoeing, yoga, strokes clinic, rescues and of course the main attraction – rolling lessons with Helen Wilson (who’s DVD got me started in Greenland rolling), not to mention the chance to meet Joe and Diane in person, it was very tempting, but reality kept intruding and reminding us that Canada is a very long way from Australia. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8_tMN3KrydKNKhKWklG6c0rWOVXo5OPqy-YoXk33T0d0r5tmZDazIFGZ4ozu2N6Vleg7ML5a-Eu6tT3Lw3dPvpdudo5bfXjl5EDzoztpBhyzOy2m3WJbSVBKqtqVzel_M0Exmx0S2w/s1600/D1030950-fb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8_tMN3KrydKNKhKWklG6c0rWOVXo5OPqy-YoXk33T0d0r5tmZDazIFGZ4ozu2N6Vleg7ML5a-Eu6tT3Lw3dPvpdudo5bfXjl5EDzoztpBhyzOy2m3WJbSVBKqtqVzel_M0Exmx0S2w/s320/D1030950-fb.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">From Left - Cheri Perry, Maligiaq Padilla, Mel Hanley (me) Turner Wilson<br />
The opportunities these events provided were too good to be missed.</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">OGC was only a week after Joe’s event and had just confirmed its instructors – Cheri Perry, Turner Wilson and Maligiaq Padilla, more of the top names in the Greenland kayaking world. The opportunities these two events presented were just too good to miss, so we threw caution to the wind and booked into both, we could figure out the finances later </span></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No sooner had we announced our attendance to the two Canadian events, then we were reminded by Eiichi Ito that the Qajaq Japan event – GUTS was only a week after OGC. Eiichi has been very encouraging since I started in <country-region w:st="on">Greenland</country-region> rolling. <country-region w:st="on">Wayne</country-region> likes to post video clips on Facebook each time I learn a new roll, and Eiichi has always been quick with a congratulatory comment and usually a challenge to try something harder. Looking at the photos and videos of last year’s event, it seemed like too much fun to pass up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been to Japan a number of times before and absolutely love the country and its people. This would be an experience in a very different area of <country-region w:st="on">Japan</country-region> than any of our previous visits, and with a very different group of people. Our impressions so far had been of a group of dedicated paddlers who, true to the <country-region w:st="on">Greenland</country-region> style are very open and sharing and very much fun loving people.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It didn’t take much time for us to make up our minds. </span></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The downside to living in Paddler’s <country-region w:st="on">Paradise</country-region> is travel. The most popular destinations for Aussie tourists will always be <country-region w:st="on">South-East Asia</country-region> or <country-region w:st="on">New Zealand</country-region>. This is because they are the only places we can get to without trapping ourselves in the cramped confines of a plane for inordinate lengths of time. The flight to <country-region w:st="on">Canada</country-region> was going to be Long! A <country-region w:st="on">4.30 am</country-region> pick up, three hour drive to the airport, three flights, with one missed connection and a short drive later, we had made it. After about thirty hours of travelling, we had arrived in <country-region w:st="on">Thunder Bay</country-region> – on the same day we departed – time zones can really add some confusion to a trip. After being up so long, we had gotten beyond feeling tired, so we found ourselves up till <country-region w:st="on">2am</country-region> chatting with Joe (our host) and Kim – another early arrival for the SKCC Paddlefest. </span></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AFjxp53SZIqknB1l9oG7cOxq1E_ql9l2J6f84RYzIoMBSPCNWokegfU0boZ9qg4xGUwdzoDojc_n_y4o_GXZysf9Zs0pgz88oOlfKQF3KcNfxCVtZ79ZUpXuAq1fCfOZbyR0QsWTkA/s1600/Wayne+-+Sup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AFjxp53SZIqknB1l9oG7cOxq1E_ql9l2J6f84RYzIoMBSPCNWokegfU0boZ9qg4xGUwdzoDojc_n_y4o_GXZysf9Zs0pgz88oOlfKQF3KcNfxCVtZ79ZUpXuAq1fCfOZbyR0QsWTkA/s200/Wayne+-+Sup.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Wayne on the famous Lake Superior</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had planned our arrival to give us a day to rest and recover from the travel before throwing ourselves into the action, so our first day in <country-region w:st="on">Canada</country-region> was a relaxed one. We were picked up by our friend Chris for some quick sight-seeing of the area, complete with a token paddle on the famous <country-region w:st="on">Lake Superior</country-region>. We have heard many stories about this amazing lake, particularly stories about how dangerously cold the water can be. Fortunately Chris found a warm spot for us and had all the gear ready for us for a quick paddle around <country-region w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">Mutton</country-region> <country-region w:st="on">Island</country-region></country-region> and back and a few photo ops for our encounter with a <country-region w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">Canadian</country-region> <country-region w:st="on">Great</country-region> <country-region w:st="on">Lake</country-region></country-region>. </span></span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZudeCIvviwaKkD76kwO1t7lqw22dZ8ywCdbpseYAReQputSwktrsmlRPYFoQwQFvZ7_kjep7YIi_VIvedCQ9P7rlJbL814SwkqPEPsQQWVTL7XvW2VkEJXt45HP6tR9_NdcyYHud9A/s1600/ski.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZudeCIvviwaKkD76kwO1t7lqw22dZ8ywCdbpseYAReQputSwktrsmlRPYFoQwQFvZ7_kjep7YIi_VIvedCQ9P7rlJbL814SwkqPEPsQQWVTL7XvW2VkEJXt45HP6tR9_NdcyYHud9A/s320/ski.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Get a bunch of kayakers to try out a surf ski </em><br />
<em>and you have a recipe for fun!</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>SKCC Paddlefest</strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Promoted as a relaxed, laid back event, we still managed to pack in plenty of excitement with Yoga by the lake side, Helen Wilson’s famous “Stupid Paddle Tricks”, rolling lessons, rescues and strokes clinics. We got to try out Solo Canoeing (we couldn’t go all the way to <country-region w:st="on">Canada</country-region> and not get in a canoe), Stand Up Paddle boarding, and there was even a contest to see who could stay upright on the Surf-ski the longest. Helen demonstrated some of the Greenland Ropes Gymnastics manoeuvres and those of us game enough gave it a try – It seemed the men were a bit shy for this event and we saw more of the women and even some kids try out some of the fun tricks while only a couple of the guys were brave enough to take up the challenge. </span></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppGqOr_fG0PhG06kUb-DEy7TrwkNzilXcID5CkQiiVdMDaYLWBpGgF01hbLbmgR3RWb8c-4j5Jm2Durh_E9A5jGQlqkmG0rhgVbihRob1VKwnElieNUhFnncA0MI90kPDFm2ZiprkdQ/s1600/P1030860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppGqOr_fG0PhG06kUb-DEy7TrwkNzilXcID5CkQiiVdMDaYLWBpGgF01hbLbmgR3RWb8c-4j5Jm2Durh_E9A5jGQlqkmG0rhgVbihRob1VKwnElieNUhFnncA0MI90kPDFm2ZiprkdQ/s320/P1030860.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>A private lesson with Helen Wilson - </em><br />
<em>Definitely well worth it with a number of new rolls </em><br />
<em>learned under her expert guidance</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Evenings saw us all sitting back and relaxing around the firepit enjoying the warm social atmosphere that seems to travel with all paddlers. Our final treat for the event was the opportunity for private lessons with Helen Wilson which was certainly well worth it. Both Wayne and I were able to trouble shoot some of our existing rolls as well as adding considerably to our repertoire.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our last day in <country-region w:st="on">Thunder Bay came about all too quickly and Chris again made sure we would have a memorable time. We met in the morning and spent the whole day touring the region. Starting with a visit to 'Old Fort William' a historical recreation of an early fur trading settlement as it was in 1815. It was fascinating to learn more about the history of </country-region></span></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><country-region w:st="on">Canada</country-region>, and this particular region, and amazing to learn that the whole basis to early Canadian exploration, settlement and trade was fur – predominantly Beaver furs to supply the European market with their Beaver fur hats – the height of fashion in <country-region w:st="on">Europe</country-region> at the time.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next came a tour of some of the beautiful sights around this tiny corner of <country-region w:st="on">Lake Superior</country-region>. To us Aussies, the great Lakes are an unbelievable sight. To stand on the shore and look out over such an expanse of water is only possible for us if you are looking at the ocean. To look out and see nothing but fresh water stretching toward the horizon is unbelievable. Our country has just come out of yet another extended period of drought. Even in the best of times, many of our rivers and lakes are seasonal features. With the severity and duration of our most recent drought, many regions had to adopt severe measures to preserve what little water we had left in our dams, people were even given special shower timers in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>encouragement to only take 4 minute showers. On the map, <country-region w:st="on">Australia</country-region> is a huge land mass, in reality most of it is uninhabitable, the majority of our population mostly clings to the coastal fringe where water resources are most reliable.</span></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JVEJjGnloa0nAV9ziwlZ9f-eI-Ccl1873_KMV6j2D3Z8zgLGAtW0efxa5iUpZjAA8iDy9mGc85ix-moMyL2RN5K73UUKBE4dJ9S6S1gIabSb1RKnPOjUUZJ86KZ8_5exYTPPF3XI9Q/s1600/P1040198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JVEJjGnloa0nAV9ziwlZ9f-eI-Ccl1873_KMV6j2D3Z8zgLGAtW0efxa5iUpZjAA8iDy9mGc85ix-moMyL2RN5K73UUKBE4dJ9S6S1gIabSb1RKnPOjUUZJ86KZ8_5exYTPPF3XI9Q/s320/P1040198.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>A view of the famous Sleeping Giant</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our tour took us to so many beautiful sites – Squaw Bay, Chippewa Park, Silver Harbour, Mackenzie Point, and as we travelled, we were treated to different views of the famous ‘Sleeping Giant’, a rock formation on the Sibley Peninsular that stretches out into the water and really does look like a giant figure has laid down to take a nap. Canadian wildlife seemed a little shy unfortunately, so no bears or beavers – but we did get to see some adorable chipmunks, squirrels and lots and lots of Canada Geese, and for another essential Canadian experience<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- we found some last remaining wild blueberries which were delicious. Our eventful day concluded with one </span></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">of Chris’s favourite spots – Mission Island Marsh and feeding the deer that gather there – a beautiful and memorable experience.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><strong>Ontario Greenland Camp</strong><br />
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On to our next adventure – another flight and we were in <country-region w:st="on">Toronto</country-region> and were met by Alan, who we held responsible for this whole trip, (it was Alan who initially suggested we attend OGC). We stopped by a couple of outdoor stores, they certainly put our shops to shame for size and variety, and we happily filled in the time before dinner browsing through the huge array of gear available. Then it was off to dinner to meet Dympna and James of Learn to Kayak, the people behind Ontario Greenland Camp, and our hosts for our stay in <country-region w:st="on">Toronto</country-region>. The next day we were packed and on our way to OGC and all the fun it had to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Located at a camp facility with a huge tract of land surrounding its own lake, and all the facilities of a classic ‘Summer camp’ it is a perfect location. With about 65 people in attendance, it was going to be a very different atmosphere to Joe’s event, although we did get to see some familiar faces as a few members of the <country-region w:st="on">Thunder Bay</country-region> crowd had travelled all the way to attend as well.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong> Rolling</strong></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfqnC1ruTRWmLR3A7VouiwIcyG3JgvcTozZ0jcTe4yFexfo_xPCQ3dEILxM2bNJ91R80gxJFOtjKJCwJdm9XvJ_5DrHOKxcJubEQHwdU2HzflorfGkK9no36QoKawsCNcSnKdCl-xNw/s1600/P1030877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfqnC1ruTRWmLR3A7VouiwIcyG3JgvcTozZ0jcTe4yFexfo_xPCQ3dEILxM2bNJ91R80gxJFOtjKJCwJdm9XvJ_5DrHOKxcJubEQHwdU2HzflorfGkK9no36QoKawsCNcSnKdCl-xNw/s320/P1030877.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Land drills - 'Cow and Cat'</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There were many rolling sessions over the course of the weekend and I was determined to make the most of them. Before getting on the water Cheri and Turner had us all going through some great land drills, based on the yoga postures of ‘Cow’ and ‘Cat’, these were extremely helpful in programming the muscle memory for the movement required for the forward finishing rolls. As promised, there was the opportunity to spend time under the tuition of Cheri, Turner and Maligiaq. New rolls were added, techniques were improved and lots of fun was had rolling over and over again as we practiced under the expert eyes of our mentors. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Different Strokes</strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also featured was a Greenland Paddle strokes clinic, with the crowd splitting into three teams following Cheri, Turner or Maligiaq. We worked on a variety of turning strokes and manoeuvres, I was also able to pick up some tips from Cheri on good forward stroke – I have a little event coming up called the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic – a 111km overnight paddle on a tidal river. I completed my first ‘Classic’ last year in just over 16 hours in horrendous weather conditions, I had so much fun, I’m tackling it again this year. The strokes clinic with Joe had been useful as he is a high angle paddler (and holds the speed record for kayaking around Vancouver Island, so he knows a thing or two about efficient paddling), working with Cheri gave me a better appreciation for the low angle that is more customary for the Greenland paddle. After getting a good feel for both, I can now paddle comfortably with either high or low angle which will be useful to be able to switch from time to time during the long hours of paddling coming up. There is a great debate always going on over high vs low angle – personally I think both have their places and am happy to work on making both reliable tools in my toolbox.</span></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii20LECwuKGrZjsuVaeI7iTBswNJgwmaDE04VteloStWP51IHvQqPQOwAQNkJLzgPEluCEL0ywthU40IFeF9p2lGz1_jeRdoP2bIOy7tq4IIDlyH6mpTHMGRyirJ7sB7gagheZ28C10Q/s1600/A13-fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii20LECwuKGrZjsuVaeI7iTBswNJgwmaDE04VteloStWP51IHvQqPQOwAQNkJLzgPEluCEL0ywthU40IFeF9p2lGz1_jeRdoP2bIOy7tq4IIDlyH6mpTHMGRyirJ7sB7gagheZ28C10Q/s320/A13-fb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Maligiaq on the ropes - fortunately</em><br />
<em> he also showed us some of the easier techniques</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Ropes</strong></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Greenland Ropes Gymnastics or Allunaariaqattaarneq (games performed using a harpoon line) is a system of exercises performed on a double length of rope suspended horizontally. Rope gymnastics were developed over time as a way to keep fit during the long winters when hunters couldn’t go out in their kayaks. It also provided people with entertainment during those long dark winters as people competed with each other in feats of strength and agility. Some of the manoeuvres relate to rolling a kayak and are used to teach </span></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">someone kayak rolling without the need for repeated immersion in the icy arctic waters. The little bit I got to try certainly got me eager to learn more, so I have no doubt we will be setting up our own set of ropes soon and we will have another activity to explore when we are not kayaking.</span></span><br />
<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qPqSLqoh5iPnUWaTVbfB4nBHVRVZxKtb-CDnSDc2htAnyLssEUu1EZd-GmwvZleDS1SsJOPElAAwjpcAX45rdXLIIbQj6Lj56A-qMClfDlIguzCsM_6DYThHSUUc7Qv21ptBrRwmRA/s1600/A17-fb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qPqSLqoh5iPnUWaTVbfB4nBHVRVZxKtb-CDnSDc2htAnyLssEUu1EZd-GmwvZleDS1SsJOPElAAwjpcAX45rdXLIIbQj6Lj56A-qMClfDlIguzCsM_6DYThHSUUc7Qv21ptBrRwmRA/s320/A17-fb.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> <span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Demo</strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The grand finale for OGC is a group demonstration. A wonderful idea is to involve participants from the weekend as well as the experts. This really adds to the atmosphere as people are cheered on by their friends and everyone feels involved rather than just watching the experts. I was quite surprised, and honoured when I was asked to be a part of the demo, and nervously took my place at the back of the group. Turner called out each roll, with Maligiaq translating them into their Greenlandic names and each participant would demonstrate the rolls together, just sitting back if there was one they couldn’t do. Of course it did get down to just Maligiaq and Cheri in the end for the more complicated rolls, but it was a lot of fun for the rest of us. The true star of the show was Calista – a young girl who had impressed everyone over the weekend with an amazing natural talent for rolling. With Turner spurring her on, she was attempting new rolls for the first time during the demonstration – and succeeding!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With all the excitement over, we had a little time to unwind before the next stage of our adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With two weeks of excitement already behind us we were starting to feel a little worn. Added to that for me, was the feeling of being a little ‘overexposed’ – I must confess I am a fairly introverted person, and although I had a great time and met so many wonderful people, it was good to have some quiet time without a crowd around all the time. We have most fun when enjoying the simple pleasures so on our first free day we followed Dympna’s suggestion and borrowed a couple of bicycles to explore the local area. This is our kind of sight-seeing! We had a great time riding along the lake front, stopping at parks along the way to enjoy the amazing views across Lake Ontario, and acting like tourists taking photos of the numerous squirrels in trees, on fences and on lawns. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sPbhJb2HFkOgrHSEfX1ziVcjTkj3VGohQ0vzFwkiG2gohej1WU5rbkX4ix2_PuBnjSe-5P-2X6HrcEWrF-gkOTpehVegUJe73Z_lUSwp8tn8dO30DvLIotDgA9Vs6-3BfVRArRrFvg/s1600/P1060245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sPbhJb2HFkOgrHSEfX1ziVcjTkj3VGohQ0vzFwkiG2gohej1WU5rbkX4ix2_PuBnjSe-5P-2X6HrcEWrF-gkOTpehVegUJe73Z_lUSwp8tn8dO30DvLIotDgA9Vs6-3BfVRArRrFvg/s200/P1060245.JPG" width="200" /></a><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></div><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span> <span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day was our big sightseeing day – our last day in Canada before flying out. We caught the ‘Go Train’ into Toronto, armed with a list of sights our friends had all recommended as ‘Must Sees’ while in Toronto. We stepped off the train, found our way out of the station and were instantly assaulted with a deafening cacophony of construction noises, city traffic, and all the chaos that goes with a big city. We took one look at our map, looked at each other and headed for the harbour front </span></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> We enjoyed a beautiful day, taking a harbour cruise and spending a couple of hours on the islands. We may have missed all the recommended sights, but we enjoyed Toronto in our own way. The ‘sights’ will be waiting for us on another trip. For us, it was farewell to Canada and on to Japan!</span></span></div>Mel Hanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185353230381389440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66671607169255336.post-12827417187829134482011-10-12T04:34:00.000-07:002011-10-12T16:31:55.191-07:00A Beginning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Kayaking</strong></em></span> has long been a big part of our lives. When my husband and I were working 12 hour days, six days a week, it was almost guaranteed that on that one day off we could be found out there somewhere in our kayaks. For a long time it was all that was keeping us sane. No matter how our work week had been, we had the serenity and peace of the water awaiting us when Sunday swung round. After more than ten years of a work routine that was taking a higher and higher toll on us, we decided we had to change. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made some drastic changes. We reduced our work load and our commitments. We moved house – away from our business; no longer just a ten minute drive away, we can’t be trapped into spending extra time there. We no longer work full time in the usual sense. On three days per week, we work long hours, the rest of the week is ours. Sounds great doesn’t it? </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There were some sacrifices to be made to be able to work less and enjoy more. Less work does equal less money, we live a simple lifestyle so we can afford to do the things we love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the very fact that we can get out and enjoy ourselves bushwalking, cycling, snorkelling, kayaking and more, any time we want more than makes up for the things we do without. I have learned a very valuable lesson – Simplify! Demand less of life, and it will actually give you more.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil69KZsElfoHW6juXUhqCfM4m5cWuM_nIQPh5Wn8AWjHBo0lg3_427DpGgRqSaK91UQgYGO-NflDtb6RhBwiv9nh87bqtqf-JccLpX9Cm69OzEFnPA1vJ7lQJmCcFOdrwi2kt1tbSYVA/s1600/P1030642-fb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil69KZsElfoHW6juXUhqCfM4m5cWuM_nIQPh5Wn8AWjHBo0lg3_427DpGgRqSaK91UQgYGO-NflDtb6RhBwiv9nh87bqtqf-JccLpX9Cm69OzEFnPA1vJ7lQJmCcFOdrwi2kt1tbSYVA/s320/P1030642-fb.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The simple things are best!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Now we have a weekend,</span></em><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> we can enjoy camping again</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">More about kayaking (or Qajaqing)<br />
We have both always had a strong interest and appreciation of tradition and culture. Our love of Japanese Martial Arts led to a deep love of the ancient traditions and culture of Japan. It was only a matter of time before our passion for kayaking developed in the same way. For most people, they are happy enough to paddle their modern plastic or composite boats, with their fibreglass or carbon paddles and marvel over each new innovation modern technology brings to this sport. So many paddlers out there, and so few have ever spared a thought to where it all started. I have to admit, I was one of them. But as my interest deepened, I began to explore and learn more. Then Wayne bought a Greenland Paddle, I have to admit, after trying it a few times it didn’t win me over. I loved my big ‘Euro’ blades, and I certainly wasn’t convinced that this skinny little stick was going to give me the power to keep up with other paddlers. So Wayne started paddling with his skinny stick, while I kept my nice new fancy carbon fibre toy. For Wayne, the paddle did exactly what he had bought it for – after spending most of his life training in martial arts, along with a variety of other high impact activities, he has an impressive list of injuries – including major damage to both shoulders. The traditional paddle is espoused as a gentle paddle, one that will let you paddle for long days without the impact on the body that the big European blades can have. It performed as promised, but being younger, I was still happy with my ‘euro’.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Do6LXTJAFiR7YWm8WyHlxfhd8k77uxJZ4nEDz5r_qz0Xt4TbVZyKyz36JSpsWqbWFeG87DzLBsKb8nQwKASF2Zbbzx7VjHa8-ePCbj-c7Jl_tiHxhAHtHgcFjz5V8_mNbK2TJOlCWw/s1600/P1010053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Do6LXTJAFiR7YWm8WyHlxfhd8k77uxJZ4nEDz5r_qz0Xt4TbVZyKyz36JSpsWqbWFeG87DzLBsKb8nQwKASF2Zbbzx7VjHa8-ePCbj-c7Jl_tiHxhAHtHgcFjz5V8_mNbK2TJOlCWw/s320/P1010053.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">My favourite Euro paddle- no longer in service.</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then, bored and housebound on a stormy weekend, we picked up a DVD that had been sitting on Wayne’s shelf for a while, neither of us had gotten around to watching it before. It was an instructional DVD on Greenland rolling. Watching this simple DVD was to going change my kayaking experience completely. Watching the rolls, and the simple exercises, I found myself thinking, ‘that looks easy, I can do that’. The next day saw us down on the water and me achieving my first ‘balance brace’. The following week it was out with the DVD again to brush up on the details then down to the water to get my first Greenland roll. There is something about Greenland rolling that resonated with me – for me, it made a lot more sense than the commonly taught ‘C to C roll’ that I had always had mixed results from. Suddenly, our kayaking had changed its nature. We had gotten into a pattern of long paddles and long days –we considered less than 6 hours on the water not worth getting the boats wet for. Now we were adding play sessions each weekend as well as our long distance cruises. I was amazed at how much fun could be had being upside down in the water. Greenland rolling is strangely addictive. Once you’ve cracked that first roll, you want to do more. I found myself happily spending hours on the water, not actually paddling anywhere, just rolling, bracing and playing for hours, adding more and more rolls to the repertoire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvDGivMey4A1b83ForY2kqi8udNtJeG1Qnwu1Xn9zEqvzLZ_xet9Mjo-5c8vNUK9lRzMzvOu-iJQAigyiwQl-JM9effObqAotmNmVWRLZx3g_l24vvoBuUuUP-Be9tpGcdLNdxF_AQg/s1600/P1020149-fb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvDGivMey4A1b83ForY2kqi8udNtJeG1Qnwu1Xn9zEqvzLZ_xet9Mjo-5c8vNUK9lRzMzvOu-iJQAigyiwQl-JM9effObqAotmNmVWRLZx3g_l24vvoBuUuUP-Be9tpGcdLNdxF_AQg/s400/P1020149-fb.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Side Sculling - one of my favourite techniques</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After finding out just how easy it is to roll with a Greenland paddle, I started thinking more about paddling with one. To me, the GP represents tradition. Kayaking evolved in the Arctic Circle as vital hunting and survival skills. These tools were developed and perfected over thousands of years. If the skinny stick was considered the best tool for the job in those extreme conditions, then it was just insulting to reduce it to a plaything doing rolls as party tricks. <br />
The paddle Wayne had been using was a commercially made two piece one. To me it always felt flimsy, it just didn’t give me the positive feel in the water that I liked from my euro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I got my hands on a real GP. It was a beautiful work of art, hand crafted from Western Red Cedar, and custom made to my own measurements. The scent of cedar, and the warm glow of the natural wood finish just make you want to touch it. Then you just have to get it on the water. After my first paddle with it I was sold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It paddled beautifully, giving me the power I liked in the water, as well as being light weight, highly manoeuvrable and very easy to control. I loved my euro paddles, and I had been through a number of them over the years before finding the perfect one for me, I haven’t picked up a euro paddle since that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GkNnKXwMrWe5USDnLMArKQaDYt8D6ywaCLnV_HpF9WjiSpdDQmbjkhtHLb65fkphbMY3-ThUYS9z-LL6fAS6f3EhU1fXxjzJpKUac5L6b7uVnwsCRTgQb6MpkiI2NjuEn-tV4bSThQ/s1600/P1020178-fb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GkNnKXwMrWe5USDnLMArKQaDYt8D6ywaCLnV_HpF9WjiSpdDQmbjkhtHLb65fkphbMY3-ThUYS9z-LL6fAS6f3EhU1fXxjzJpKUac5L6b7uVnwsCRTgQb6MpkiI2NjuEn-tV4bSThQ/s320/P1020178-fb.JPG" width="243px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>My first 'real' GP</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This was when an opportunity fell into place and we took a big risk. We started up a new business and began importing Joe O’Blenis paddles from Canada. Our interest in Greenland paddling has been an amazing journey. As our interest deepened, we came to discover just how widespread the Greenland bug is. As a confirmed technophobe I was a reluctant convert to social media, but once there, I discovered an amazing online community of Greenland kayak enthusiasts. The internet has provided the opportunity for people from all over the world to freely share their experiences, give each other advice and encouragement, share a few laughs and welcome anyone who is interested into their world. Video clips are posted, questions asked, techniques and accomplishments shared, all without the ego and one-upmanship that you see in so many other sports. The thing that has impressed me most about this sector of the kayaking world is just how genuine its exponents are. It seems to attract a certain type – open, sharing, fun loving people who are eager to share with others.<br />
I have to admit, our next big opportunity came from a Facebook conversation......</span></span></div>Mel Hanleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185353230381389440noreply@blogger.com9