Good Friday Paddle

Yesterday 10 of us went canoeing on the Nottawasaga River. It was our first paddle of the year and I think our earliest first paddle ever. Last year's April paddle was 9 days later, windy and 25 degrees colder! This day was warm and beautiful and only windy the last half hour.

Here is Connor fooling around in his brand new kayak. This was the first time he had been out in it and he capsized shortly after launching. He got the hang of it after that and no more problems - except him and Dalton carry on like a couple of teenage girls and were spending more time talking than paddling and making us wait.

Armin and Alec were ahead most of the way. Here they are waiting for us for lunch. After lunch they left us. They finished at least 45 minutes ahead and actually had gone to the put in to retrieve the truck and trailer before we caught up.

This isn't a great picture but it shows the high water line. I think it looks neat.

Connor has been busy

Two weeks ago Kevin and Connor went to Palmer's Rapids for whitewater canoeing.  This past weekend Kevin took Connor and his nephew Dalton back to Palmer's for a whitewater kayaking course.  Here are some pictures from the weekend.

So Connor listed career choices at grad as kayak instructor or mechanic.  He may be well on his way.  He takes kayaking at summer camp and also takes canoeing and kayaking courses independently.  He has Level 1 and 2 kayaking from camp, ORCKA flatwater solo and tandem canoeing and River Runner Solo.  The whitewater course was not certifiable but considered the best introduction in the industry.  He bought his own kayak several years ago and now wants to upgrade to a high performance whitewater kayak.  He sure is my little daredevil - they called him Mr. Fearless at the course.

History Repeats Itself

Some 40 years ago, Kevin's little brother Larry made this little kayak and kayaker for Kevin who was an active whitewater kayaker at the time.  It has travelled safely around the country with us and been displayed on a bookshelf in every home.

Just before school ended the McLaren Art Centre came to Connor's school and each of the graduating students was given a canvas to paint.  The artwork was displayed around the gym at graduation.  When I saw Connor's my first thought was that it looked like Larry's little kayaker.  Green kayak, little bald figure.   What do you think?