All of us Eastern Canadians have been suffering from a rough case of the "Low Water Blues"......as a result of minimal snowfall combined with drought conditions through out this summer. Low water does have many downfalls....but these levels aren't without solid benefits.  One of the benefits in my way of thinking is the ability to run sections of rivers that are otherwise too dangerous or pushy to run.

Quebec's Rouge River -Seven-Sister's section is precisely one of the advantages of low water conditions.  It is a section of river that is typically portaged in awe.  It is a canyon section of seven drops spread out over a half mile section of river. It's a thrilling section of river which is run and easily carried back over to run it again and again. It is a section of river of a drop followed by a retentive hole that one needs a healthy boof stroke to skip over.

4 Ottawa River vetrans took a day off to reap the thrills of creeking.  The following are some of the highlights of the "sisters".

It's an awesome section of river...but beware of river left at the out flows...there is a "naturalist" colony there....many a surprise nude is spotted amongst the rocks here.....I jest not!

A journey in training, the road to Canadian team trials.

A personal journey in training......The road to Canadian Team Trials.


Paddling for me has always been about "the LOVE".  By "Love", I mean love of whitewater, of time in nature, of adrenaline, of beauty and of adventure. A love that seemingly courses through my very bloodstream, a love that has become nothing short of soulful. Doing it only for the simplicity and connection to nature. No rules, no limits, no boundaries.  This is always how it's been since I first experienced the magic of whitewater and never once looked back....that is until I found myself in a freestyle competition.

For several years, my friends had called my bluff, noticing that I was a solid paddler in creeking, and playboating. The question of "why don't you compete" was always answered with, because "I paddle because it makes me happy and I don't want to ruin it". 

I grew up playing team sports at competitive levels representing Provincial Teams, University, University All-Star Teams, semi-pro club teams, in addition to some opportunities to tryout for National Teams.  

   

Playing competitive teams sports was a way of life for me growing up, I thrived from sports.  I heavily credit sports as a hook, an anchor and guiding light in my educational and career pathways.  One by one, I would become so deeply involved in my sport of choice that I would inevitably loose interest or become turned off by the pervading political aspects, subsequently turning my focus to another athletic pursuit that was new, challenging and exciting.

Paddling somehow has managed to persevere in my gallery of interests.  I'm not sure if it's my first individual sport, or the adrenaline/danger quotient, or that its one of the first sports I've encountered that really requires me to work hard for every single gain that I make in the sport. I'm not sure what it is but I know that it’s real.

My paddling "soul kick" came to an end when some friends entered me in to the Women's  Pro-Class in a Rodeo on my home river. Although I had witnessed several competitions on the river before, I never had a yen to be a participant.  I'm not sure why, but it just wasn't what I wanted from paddling.  Faced with an entrance into a competition that I hadn't cared to learn strategies or rules to and not wanting to make a fool of myself, I gathered as much advice in the 12 hours notice that I had to prepare.

The Pan-Am Competition went well; I found myself in second place after the prelims and ended up finishing in 3rd behind the current world champion (at the time) and the former world champ.

I discovered that I felt exhilarated by the competitiveness of it; I had a renewed vigor and desire to nail newer, harder and bigger tricks.

In August of 2011, I set my sites on competing for a spot on the Canadian Freestyle Team.  The plan was to spend the fall, winter and spring getting into the best physical condition possible. The vehicle for this conditioning was teaming up with a number of training partners (you know who you are...I am grateful) who would push my limits and maximize my time in the gym and on the roads.  I hit the gym 4-5 days weekly for a maximal cardio session of either 35 or 53 minutes.....weight training typically happened both before and after the cardio.  A typical week also included 3 running sessions as well.  Signing up with friends for a couple of half-marathons also helped keep the training focus.

Basic physical readiness was only one part of the prep phase.  I had a great deal of mental and on the water work that needed to be done.  The mental aspects included viewing instructional video of the more difficult moves and comparing them with video execution of these moves.  Visualization and imagery of being successful in these moves.   Flat water fundamentals have come into play, reinforcing the kinesthetic pathways and strengthening core muscles.

All of these activities took place until the Canadian winter faded and the rivers were once again an option to paddle.  Trips to my local river to train (120 minutes from home) on weekends and evenings were the focus during May and June.

When July rolled around, it was full on river time.  Paddling, practicing, asking advice and questions. Training before work, after work and several sessions on days off.

It's now July 15th. My body is tired, sore, strong and happy! I have one month to complete my training preparations. My plan is get to the competition site as many times as I can before the comp, so that I can know the hydraulic as well as I can.  I will continue to study the nature and structure of the competition and ask advice to other boaters in the eddies. I will stretch and do Yoga off river as much as I possibly can as well.  I have considered hiring a paddling coach for some tech sessions ....but that notion is still on the burner. I'd like to offer thanks to my family and friends who support me in all of my crazy adventures. A special thanks to my sponsors as well.... Teva, Snap Dragon and WRSI.... I am honored to represent you.

The goal is top 10.....anything less than top 7 will be a large disappointment, top 5 will be less of a disappointment....as it means that I made the finals.  Top 3 is where I want to be.  My underlying philosophy win, loose or draw is that I will be a better paddler on Aug 16th than I was a year ago.  I'll try also to smile as much as I can in the process!

2012 Paddling Season...Game-On!

Start me UP 2012!

Another cold Canadian winter has come and gone. Paddling season 2012 is underway!  The 2012 paddling season started off with my annual March migration to Tennessee.  Lenoir City, TN is where we call home for 9 days.  

This area keeps calling us back year after year because of the combination of warm sunny weather and hundreds of creeks to choose from within a 150 mile radius.

There is a ridiculous selection of rivers and creeks to paddle close by when the rain Gods shower us with merriment, and for times when there is no rain to chase, there are always a few steadfast reliable go-to options. The concept of “chasing rain” is rather foreign to Ontario paddlers whose hometown creeking window is 2 weeks long comprised primarily of snow melt. Chasing rain is a delicate balance of figuring out flows on the fly and estimating with some luck to determine which aspect of a creek is prime.  If the lower sections are in flood, one needs to travel higher up the run, above a tributary or five.

Another great part of paddling in the area is a variety in landscapes.  To the South, are the Great Smokey Mountains. The Smokey’s are a fantastic place to paddle and photograph as river access is straight forward and paved roads often snake alongside the river.  The ability to help out an injured paddler or to swap out camera equipment is fantastic. The rivers in this watershed tend to be clean and clear, many of these rivers as well are host to fantastic drops and waterfalls. Rocks tend to be round and frequent.  It’s a flowing boulder garden where dream boofs come true.

To the North-West is the Cumberland Plateau which has a different character entirely. (I’ll save that for another blog).

The bottom line is that when paddling friends converge into this area and the water is flowing, great times are about to happen.  In seven days of paddling, we hit some rivers for the first time, and others multiple times because they are just too good not to.  Highlights included the Crooked Fork, Tellico, Conasauga, and the Little River Smokies. These rivers are always thrilling to boat. 

Baby Falls

The Tellico River is a South-Eastern classic, which serves as an excellent example to try and capture what it is that draws me in time after time. The Tellico River has crystal clear water, beautiful scenery and a mountainous setting, these aspects combined are a great excuse for a weekend hike…..add water and you’ve got a class 3-4 playground that is nothing short of awesome.  The ledges make for great glory boof practice. 

Boofing the beak!

Tight eddies throughout to sharpen skills along the way.  Baby Falls is the perfect learn-to waterfall….so long as you get out before diaper wiper if you find yourself on the “Tellico swim team”. 

"Safety Break"

Just below baby falls is the famous post card image at Bald River Falls.  It’s a great carry-up waterfall when water flows are sufficient. Shooting the lower section is a very intimidating and exciting entrance.  The rocks at the top are very slick and words are difficult to communicate over the thunderous roar of the upper waterfall section. 

Bald River Falls

Continuous class 2-3 three leads you to the most technical aspect to the river…Jarrod’s knee.  It is a five sectioned rapid that never disappoints. As a whole, it’s rather confusing, but when you break it down into 5 separate steps, it seems to fit together like puzzle pieces.  I have sat and studied this rapid many times over, and I still have much to learn. This is part of the beauty in rivers….so many secrets…so much to know and learn. If you get a chance to paddle in Tennessee, don’t pass it up, you’ll be in for an awesome time!

Taking it all in!

Taking it all in!

On a recent ski vacation to BC I had an amazing opportunity to set the regular pace of life aside and really enjoy listening to my body and to the powerful forces that surround us every day. The powerful forces that I speak of came in many forms. At times human behaviour and relationships came into play, in other moments it was manifested in a more obvious form in the power of nature. The following is some of what I observed and coveted.

Spending time in a Mountain environment is always an experience of awe.  I am amazed at weather patterns and at feeling small and insignificant.  It’s so cool to be at a ski base temperature of zero degrees and fall to minus 10 at the top of the lift.  To be in a valley cloud at the bottom of a mountain and rise above it into the sun as you climb the mountain.

To be sensitive to how snow types vary at different altitudes and how to try and time it so you get the very best of the mountain on any given day.   To slide down the side of the mountain on the first tracks of the day as the sun sparkles the snow below you.

To make fresh tracks on virgin powder in an area that has remained untouched since last ski season, except perhaps by the passing through of bear or wolves.

Knowing that the beauty of the Mountain isn’t only found in racing down its slopes with an adrelaline charged vendetta.  Its in stopping to marvel at its beauty.  To feel the sun strong against your face.

I had mentioned listening to my body earlier, hence taking some time off of skiis to snowshoe, observing animal tracks in the snow and the eerie silence of the woods in winter. Being unaccustomed to higher altitudes and how your body craves oxygen differently.

The excitement of each morning and what the day will bring and what will unfold before you.  The opportunity to teach newcomers about the mountain and the secrets that it has revealed to you.  Looking forward to social time in the hot tub, watching as the days fading light disappears and looking forward to the culinary journey that is sure to follow.

Variety within the variety that vacation brings is coveted as well.  To take a road trip to a new Mountain town that holds its own special nuances with friends who are eager to share their local knowledge and natures secrets with you. Content to celebrate long standing friendships and changes in life.

We took a side trip on an off day to seek out natural hot springs. It was such a simple grass roots day but so very different from what we are used to.  It cost us relatively nothing. No lift ticket, no admission fees, no rules.  We hiked in up a mountain path, beauty surrounding us every step of the way.  Working hard with every step as we were the engines powering ourselves into this remote gem.  Stopping every once in a while to observe tracks, being thankful for strength in numbers and considering whether the giant paw marks were the product of a Mountain Lion or Wolf.

To the final entry requirement, a tricky hike down a steep treed slope to an absolute piece of paradise.  Alas, natural hot springs!  A three tiered tub that is hottest at its source coming out of the rock, dropping slowly in temperature as the water falls away from its heat source into the cold winter air.

A picnic lunch was planned in advance. A feeling of relaxation and connection to nature that is seldom realized is alive within every cell in my body.  Utter exhaustion and relaxation.  Amazing! So much to be thankful for.

The Essence of a New Day!

  

Blog Beginning-

Wanaskewin- is at peace.    Cree

The Essence of a New Day.

There are many figures of speech that we hear with great frequency reminding us of how to better live out the time that we spend in our dance here on Earth. Many echoes of encouragement to “live each day to the fullest” and “seize the day”.

 I am thankful that in my life, these phrases are not passing thoughts. They are Mantra’s that I take seriously. I pride myself in being an elite athlete that regularly pushes limits both personally and in nature. I genuinely see each and every day as a powerful gift to be used carefully and with purpose.

 

 When a long standing sponsor Teva (The official pioneer of sport sandals) adopted the slogan “Live Better Stories”, I thought it a creative parallel to the old cliche's.  I thought it clever, In that each of us can comfortably adopt this slogan to suit our lives in meaningful ways.  Why not live better stories?  Each day is an opportunity to get out and create those stories.

I often jest with a big grin on my face and words that begin with “When I am on my death bed”……the words to follow generally sound something like “I won’t wish that I had of watched more TV”.  Living better stories is an immediate invitation to step outside of your daily routines and comfort zones in big ways and small.  To challenge all of the factors that compete for how you spend your time. To send your time more meaningfully.

I believe that most of us have a creative and adventurous spirit. At times with the hectic pace of life, it is sometimes difficult to take the time to set this spirit free. In other cases, we withhold, not always sure about how to do so. I believe that as humans we have an innate connection to nature and the further that busy lifestyles pull us away from her, the more we need her.

I feel a desire in those around me to connect their adventurous spirit to nature. So often this yen shows through in colleagues wishing to share vicariously with me my evening, my weekend or my latest vacation. My answer to these inquiries is an encouragement to get out and get active.  Make it happen!  Get a solid pair of hikers and hit the trails. Take the time to take in the subtle, simple beauties that surround us each day. Live as often as possible with your eyes wide open, taking it all in.  Try always to minimize regret.

 Stepping outside of your comfort zone and living with a greater degree of meaning can be manifested in simple ways, it doesn’t need to come in the shape of dropping a 30 foot waterfall. Go about it by running in the rain.  Make snow angels, be playful.  Have others accuse you of acting like a big kid. Do it day by day. Each new day can reward you with moments you never considered before or thought possible!

Other topics soon to come??

Great stories and adventures

“Spending” time

“Being the person others want to be around”

Risk

Adrenaline

Complacency