Tuesday, May 18, 2010

East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival 2010

A few weeks ago a longtime friend of mine drove down from Ontario to spend some quality time with me at the beach. Now your idea and my idea of the beach are likely different. This involved lots of time on the water in kayaks, camping out in tents, and lots of seafood. We did get to the sandy part of the beach but certainly not for any lounging around.

Mike and I go way back to Acadia University. After that we've had our ups and downs but have kept in touch for the most part as our lives have changed through weddings, kids, jobs, moves, and all sorts of things. We both stood at each other's weddings (I wouldn't call it being the bestman) but then life and geography got in the way.

I actually tried to get Mike into kayaking way back in 1998, I think. It didn't go very well but I'm glad I didn't ruin it for him.

This was the first real time we've had together in a few years. It started with Mike driving 14 hours all the way from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. I had some work to catch up on so the first day he poked around with Jane until I got home for the four hour drive to Charleston. The goal was James Island County Park, home of the East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival. The link goes to a page that talks a little about the festival. If you watch the picture slide show you can see a good picture of me waiting patiently as a lesson is going on (it's the last picture). There is also a shot of Mike just before mine (he's the one in the middle with the red PFD on his belly climbing back into his boat.) Here they are.

This year despite the plan to go together we actually didn't end up on any courses together. The courses I did were good but the range of people and skill levels ranged from intermediate to advanced (in this case me.) I did enjoy taking a session with kayaking legend Nigel Foster and other master coaches like Ben Lawry. My only issue was the coaches having to tone down some of the content for some less experienced paddlers (even though the title said "Master's Class.") Next year I will likely go again but will be a little more choosy about my courses. It's hard to pass up a festival when it's practically in your back yard. Maybe Isabelle and Jane could come?

In the end Mike and I had a pretty good time. Lots of catching up and talking about things we've done since we graduated from school. We ate some good food and certainly ate entirely too much of it. I always try to justify it with the fact we were very active all weekend, but I'm not sure that really counts. Folly Beach is nearby so we went every night to have a look and enjoy the salt air, something we both miss.

For me best course of the festival was likely the Advance Open Water Workshop offered by H2Outfitters. It involved getting out into the ocean on a windy day with a nice little tidal rip. I didn't learn a whole lot, I know tides and wind from growing up on the Bay of Fundy, but it was nice to paddle and surf with some other competent paddlers. Once again I was amazed at how warm the water was, even in April.

So now the planning has started for our next adventure. We aren't going to wait years this time, rather just a few months, hopefully. I'm looking at some festivals and symposia in Canada for the fall. I may reciprocate and drive up to the Georgian Bay Storm Gathering in October. Who knows? Anyone else want to come?