The Cornwall Recreational Whitewater Club

Hello everyone,
Well, I just participated in my first competition “the Blackwater Challenge”! I was saving it for when I would turn 40 but being a month short was apparently not a very good excuse to put it off so, I signed up. It was fun! I came in third out of four!
Robert was telling me how different it is to compete versus just going out and play and I thought well, it cannot be that bad, the competitors are so friendly plus you know some of them but then, you realize that all those people on shore are watching you! Oh well, i did my best and had fun.
I think you will see me again in the future. I cannot do much yet, basically spins but I am having fun and have surpassed my expectations for this year, so I am happy!
I like the fact that the competitors (all 4 of us) talk while in the eddy and smile and encourage each other.
The whole weekend was fun, people were friendly and helpful and made us feel welcomed. The food was good too, I enjoyed not having to worry about it or cook any of it, it was a real vacation!

To me, that was the end of it for this year but I hadn’t counted on the enthusiasm of the young people around me
So the following Saturday, after paddling in Valleyfield on the Friday evening, we got up early and left the house at 6 to go to the Ottawa river for the second part of the competition.
On the way there, we ran into some problems with the trailer but we all managed to get there on time to compete.
I came in third again that day and got a nice sweater:)
Again, friendly competitors, friendly people, familiar faces and good food!
I guess, now I just have to go practice so I can do more than spins and do them consistently before the Level 6 Rodeo this spring!
Sylvie

Hello, my name is Tilly and I am a kayaker.

Some of you may know me as a keener; others might know me as a member of the crew club, in Cornwall. Or of the Canadian team. Some of you might have met me at a few competitions, or on the Ottawa. Some of you might just know me as Tilly, or you don’t know me at all! If that is the case, let me present myself: I am Tilly Martin, 16 years of age, and I have been paddling for 3 years now, although it wasn’t till last year that I’ve really become passionate about it. My favorite color is red, but I also like yellow. I like shrimps and my favorite kind of pizza is Hawaiian. I practice karate since I was 5, and it is a truly a sport I enjoy. I am now a black belt. I am also now in Norway, for 1 year, as an exchange student

Having this new adventure waiting for me across the ocean really got me thinking: “What crazy trip did I just embark myself on?” a whole new, scary, big, exiting, unknown, amazing adventure. But as I stepped on the plane, I couldn’t help but to forget about the anxiety all over my body and only feel the good butterflies flying around in my stomach. I was going to be completely independent for the first time; in a whole new country, with a new language, new people, new home, new friends, new school. And as much as I was afraid stepping on that plane, as much as I was wondering why I was doing this, why I always needed to be crazy, I couldn’t stop smiling the whole time. Imagine this lifetime opportunity! I was able to grab it, and follow it to this experience that is going to be unforgettable. I am lucky, fortunate and grateful.

As I stepped of that plane in Oslo, and the whoosh of cold air, mixed with the scent of the sea brushed across my face, I realized I was also ready. And I know it will be hard, I know I will have days where I will hate Norway and all the Norwegians on the planet. I know I will cry that I will miss home. And I know I have to be aware that I cannot always plan for me to feel this way on a certain day, in a certain place. I can’t expect that a new challenge will rise up that I didn’t see coming. I can’t expect that; but I can be ready for it.

Because being ready for any kind of challenge, even on the river, is really important. In the case of kayaking, the key is to paddling efficiently and with confidence. During this summer, I ran a rapid called “ST Chute, at Garvin’s Rapids, on the Ottawa River. I have run this rapid a few times before, and every time I was able to paddle it well. This run, the water level dropped just a couple inches, just enough for the current to have a stronger pull on the right side of the rapid. I didn’t push myself hard enough left, and ended up in the right hole of ST Chute. (For any of you who haven’t seen it, or have been in it; you do NOT want to end up in there.) Needless to say I got beat up for quite some time, having no idea at all where I was, and where I stood in the hole; it was just a big white blur of chaos. Unable to breath, I pulled my skirt only to be pulled down. I don’t remember much, only to see everything was black. So I suppose I was fairly deep. I knew the current pushed 2 ways; to the left and to the right, as a big undercut island was below. I also knew that the undercut was on the right. What I didn’t know was what way to swim to avoid the undercut, as I didn’t even know which was up or down. I stayed curled up in a ball, avoiding injuries and allowing the current to push me out of the hole. Strangely, I wasn’t even thinking about the lack of air. It only occur to me that I haven’t breathed at all until I resurfaced; but still, panicking and gasping for air wouldn’t have been the best idea at that moment. I still dint know if I was close to the undercut. Once my head pooped up and I figured out where I was and where I was heading too, I realized that I was heading right for the island. As I hit it, I hugged the closest rock and pulled most of my body out of the current. I couldn’t let go, and I was only hoping for someone to come and get me, trying to control my breathing. It wasn’t long until my coach, Stephen Wright, and my keener friends came to help me. It was only until I was in the safe eddy, away from the current and the island, with my friends, that I allowed myself to break down and cry.

Because it is so important to keep yourself focused and controlled in the moment. If not, you can do one wrong move, and it can cost you dearly. You have to be able to think clearly and know what you need to do.

Karate has thought me this skill very well. By doing it for 11 years, I know that the control of my mind is just as important as the control of your body; when you punch, or kick, or when you throw a move on the wave, or when you boof a jump.

And that’s how I can be ready for whatever unexpected challenge ahead. Know what you need to do, and only focus on that. Cooking a Canadian meal for your host family, for example; it would look really bad to start crying in front of them because you don’t know what a typical Canadian meal is. Relax. Breathe. Focus.

I will be continuing kayaking and martial arts during my stay in Norway. Kayaking because it is my passion. Karate because it is my most important and valuable tool that, not only helps me in my kayak, but also in my everyday life, and now, more than ever, in the toughest challenge yet; Norway.
There are a number of exercise that don’t require going to a gym or getting a special trainer for to make yourself ready, concentrated and more aware of your surroundings. Like, for example yoga and meditation.

Live. Try. Focus. Breathe. Be ready.

I am ready. Ready to take on whatever challenge would be next; a new language, a new school, new food, new friends. I am ready.

I wasn’t waiting to go to Norway; Norway was waiting for ME to arrive. Haha, just kidding.

Cheers ,

Tilly

ps: I wasn’t able to upload all the pictures I wanted, so the pictures can be found at http://www.dropshots.com/crew#albums/Til…

Have a good one!

Well, In an earlier post I said that today was a day to rest after a really busy period. hmmmmm, I suppose that rest does not really imply sleep.
Today Zachary and I completed a project that has been on the table for a bit.
This is the start of our own kayak recycling program!
Just because the boat is badly torn and can not be repaired it does not mean it hs no use!
This spring one of our members did a fine job on his Jackson 4-Fun! A 7 inch tear caused by a rock on a snowy hill…. oh well.
The boat was donated to us for what ever we needed and the spare parts havw come in useful for the club. We even built new thigh braces for an AllStar that was damaged during our youth program
But the best part was building a new bike trailer! With some old wheels, spare aluminum tubing and a bit of time we have put together the best bike trailer available. It will hold your kid, gear or boats when you want to cycle to the put in!
Check it out!

When we get another boat to recycle we will be sure to stretch the imagination a bit further!

Till then, See you on the river!

Robert and Zachary (Emily too!)
www.cornwallwhitewater.com

Well, this weekend has been a spectacular one for us!
Friday night was a CReW evening on the Riviere St-Charles and we were fortunate to have good weather and a couple hours of paddling for the sake of paddling.
Sylvie, Zachary, Emily, Chery,l, Jennifer and I headed out to the river so we could just play. And play we did. Everyone though the best moves that they could and we all got some good rides in. As soon as it got dark we packed up and headed home for a night of rest.

Why rest? Saturday was the 2008 North American and Junior CanAM Freestyle competition on the Ottawa River.
At 5:30 in AM (Saturday morning) we all got up and drove out to Wilderness Tours to get ready to compete. (Man that is way too early for this old guy:)…)
10 miles out from WT our club trailer had a melt down.. The right wheel bearing crapped out and we had to do some quick shuffling of gear to get us there. Sylvie took the trailer and the 2nd car back to Renfrew fro repairs and I took Cheryl, Emily, Zachary and Sean onward to WT.
AS it turned out a couple guys at the four corners store (corner of Story land road and Chenaux) helped her out so we could limp home at the end of the evening Amazing what people will do for a pretty lady in distress! Thanks guys!
Back at WT I took everyone to the WT put in and we headed down to Corner Wave and the competition.
WT, with the help of Matt, Ryan and a group of volunteers and competitors put on a great show. Lots of competitors and categories and plain old fun.
With the exception of myself (worst competitve rides of my life!!!) our CReW Team did great.
Corner wave is not an easy ride and many people were fushed off. But Zachary, Sean, Sylvie (yep she made it back on time with the trailer!!!) Emily and Chryl did well.
The girls held the standings for us and made us proud!
Emily: (All of 10 years old) placed 4th for the day (Canada Cup) and placed 3rd overall in the Junior CanAms!!!
Cheryl: Placed 2nd for the day (Canada Cup) and 1st overall for the Women’s North American Championships! Who hoo!!!!
Sylvie: Placed 3rd for the day (Canada Cup) and 2nd overall for the Women’s North American Championships! Who hoo!!!!
Zachary and Sean both did well and as for me, I guess everyone has bad days… But it was all good and I had a blast.
Between heats Sean, Cheryl and I played in Horshoe right and left side and had a blast there too.
At the end of the day everyone headed back to WT for a banquet and awards.
Joe Kowalski and his group really have an awesome facility and are a fisrt class act. Thanks Joe for making this all available. For 20/person you cna not ask for more. Great competition, great food and an excellent evening at Rafters (WT facility).
Emily also got a special award for being the youngest competitor (and cutest too!)
The ride home was late at night but otherwise uneventful. That is good.
And the sleep was welcome:)
Sunday: September 1st was another early day and we were up at 6 to load all the gear fro the 2008 Youcan go to the following link:http://worldkayakblogs.com/crewkids/

For pictures from the weekends click here: OUR CLUB PICTURES

And as for today: Sleep and recovery. A lot of gear to clean, fix and get ready for the next outings and program events.

See you on the river,

Robert
www.cornwallwhitewater.com

Last Sunday (August 17th) Jennifer Tytula, one of our new CReW members, voluntered to safety boat at the annual Red Cross Triathalon in Cornwall. CReW volunteers every year and this year Jennifer stepped up to the plate for us.
It is a good cause and having boats out there to help the swimmers is definately necessary.
Thanks Jennifer.

This is what she had to say about it:

Hey Everyone.
So I am not very computer smart and it took me forever to find how to write a blog on here. I think that I did it wrong and I am leaving a comment for Keeners on bus-eater however hope it gets to where it needs to go.
On Sunday Morning bright and early I went out to volunteer for the Red cross triathlon. I will say that this was the first time that I have ever volunteered for an event of any sort. It was interesting. Everyone seemed rushed, lots of people running around in all directions so after I registered I made my way back to my car which was warm and dry and I wasn’t in anyone’s way.
At 8am I made my way down to where the sea Kayakers were. We got our instruction on what they wanted us to do. I got the west side or the course. First event was the Triathlon which was 2 laps. My job was the make sure that people were going in the right direction. Being in a white water kayak it was tuff. I would see guys swimming WAY, WAY off course but none of the other kayakers were going after them. I would have to sprint my boat until I would get to them, then you have to yell like your crazy because they can’t hear you. Once you get there attention I become there buddy and they stick with me until they are back comfortably in the course. I was supposed to stay on the West side however I was all over the map. On the second lap I figured out how to stop the swimmers from crashing into each other. I would sit in the middle so once they see me they move over so there were no collisions.
At about 9am the sprinters started. I was warmed by the other kayakers that they were slower then the Tri athletes. They may be so however they didn’t crash and didn’t so much go off course so I didn’t have to work that hard. I still stayed in the middle of the course but this time I would go about 100M beside each of the packs so that they can watch my boat.
9:15 am lost feeling in my hips. Wish I had one of those large kayaks. And a 10am it was over. All swimmers were out of the water.
It was quit the experience and definitely fun. I did however wish that I was in valley field trying to figure our how to stay on the wave
See you all soon

Jenn

Well, there you have it, rain, swimmers and sore hips. Ahh… the sacrifices we make. Thanks Jenn and we will be there again next year cheering on the swimmers and helping those that need it too.

On Saturday (August 9th) I took my Father in-law to the Ottawa river to pick up my Son, Zachary, and one of members, Sean, after their 3 week stay at Keeners.
Wow, these 2 kids improved. 3 weeks on the water sure pays off. Both kids are in so much control. And their fear issue is dissolved away! Sweet!
The night before I received a really short e-mail from my son: “Hello Dad, Bring your boat Bussy is in!!!”.
So I did and when my father in-law, who does not paddle, saw what I was going to “allow” my 12 year old son to play in he was a bit more than alarmed. Hee hee.
Zachary and Sean both got on the wave and after a few good pointers from a keener on shore, I finally got on from the tow line and it was soooo cool!

Great fun, awesome wave and I get to do it with my friends and my family.

Sorry, no time for pics. No one wanted to get out of the boat

Cant wait to go back.

See you on the river,

one proud dad!

August 1st through the 3rd saw Sylvie, Emily, Cheryl, Daylan, Pierre, Susan, Doug and I back on the Ottawa river for another fun filled session.
This time around we were joined by Zachary Zwanenburg and Sean Hakvoort who had a weekend off during their 3 week stay with the Keeners at OKS. Sweet, our very own Ottawa River Guides!
Friday evening was a play session on 7/8 hole (or as many call it 7up) as well as some time on Odessey. The river levels are still high for this time of year. Saturday, despite the less than cooperative weather was awesome. Sylvie, Cheryl and Emily stayed at McKoys to play. Susan and Doug enjoyed some flat water paddling together around the various islands in the river. Zachary, Sean Daylan and I took on the main channel. What a blast. The water water was high enough to enjoy a little used route around the Lorne (far right around the island) and this offered and excellent chance for Daylan to learn about lines and how to make your line. He did great.
Waikiki was a blast. Brain Douche was intense and Coliseum was memorable. Big Kahuna was in fine form and gave me a surf to remember. The kids had a whole lot of fun at Lemings leap and the rest of the ride down was just plain old fun. I really enjoy the time that I get to paddle with my son. His progress at keeners is very evident and he is goingto be fun to watch in the coming years. (Just a bit harder for me to follow…..)
Sean and Daylan are also coming around very well. Sean has been learning a lot at Keeners and it shows. (Steven Wright called him “hard core” and the description fit very well!) Daylan just keeps surpirising me. His determination and enthusiasme for the sport is inspiring. Glad he is part of our group.
Sunday was a beautiful day and we all decided to run the Middle Channel together. Susan and Doug got their first river running experience together in the tandem. Good times! Good swims too! :).
Emily got her first really serious beatdown in Butterfly hole! It blew everyone away. She was thrown around like a doll and when she finally flushed she took 4 serious attempts at rolls and finally rolled up on the last attempt. Tears were flowing and her mom gave her the necessary hugs. Everyone else got together to give her the praise she deserved for her perseverance. And it paid off. She got right back in and rode the butterfly wave (on the left) like a pro! I am soooo proud.
Daylan Zach, Cheryl and I had fun running little trickle and of course everyone enjoyed Angels Kiss.
The highlight for me was running WT chute with my son. Sylvie was adamant that Daylan was not allowed to run this one. (Something about the risk of the serious undercuts… Sorry Daylan but I had to agree with her on this one. Next time maybe).
All in all it was great fun.
Wneh we left the mighty Ottawa on Sunday evening everyone learned a bit, smiled a lot and went home satisfied.
FYI: If you want to enjoy the Ottawa and need to stay somewhere reasonable and well located. Check out the Curtis Cabins. They are located just below Odessey and McKoys. You will not be disappointed.

Click here to check out the pics and videos of the weekend.

Well, time to call it a night.

See you on the river somewhere soon,

Robert

www.cornwallwhitewater.com

Well, Robert usually writes on this blog and he is always saying how nice it would be if others posted as well so here I am writing about this past weekend on the Ottawa river.
It was so much fun! Upon arrival on Friday evening, we were all eager to go paddling except Emily so her and I went for a walk with our friend’s dog while everyone else went paddling which was fine with me, it was late and our gear would be dry and warm the next morning!
Saturday morning, we played at McCoy’s rapids and Emily got some surf in on “mini baby face” and our beginner friend, Martin, was doing well too, a bit of swimming but he was enjoying trying to get on the wave. A few of us decided to thread the needle (Robert, Cheryl, Tilly and I). I went last, I like to watch first and work up the courage to go too. They all did very well and then it was my turn. Well, I don’t know what happened but I flipped just before Phil’s and got upside down in it and got worked pretty good, ended up swimming! I did try to hold on to my paddle while I wet exited but no success there, we found all of my stuff including some foam I had stuffed under my seat but had not glued down yet. Will do that before I go back. The swim was not too bad (I really don’t like swimming) I am working on my courage to try again next weekend!
On the Saturday afternoon, we ran the middle channel under the guidance of Tilly, she had just finished three weeks at Keeners and was a very good guide! Emily (10) ran her second river in her kayaking career and after telling me she was sooooo tired just after leaving McCoy’s, she paddled very well and enjoyed her ride down. We looked at Iron ring and Little Trickle and watched some people go through them. Robert and Cheryl got to help on a boat rescue too.
We all had a lot of fun surfing at Angel’s Kiss, had to convince Emily to get on but then, we couldn’t get her off the wave! Even got three girls surfing at the same time. Martin even got a surf in but then broke his paddle and, we of course did not have a spare, we have been talking about getting a set of hand paddles just for that purpose but keep procrastinating so, Robert and I took turns going down the rest of the river with only one blade. We were getting pretty good by the end. I have to admit that Robert ran the rapids and I did only some of the flat parts.

We looked at Garvin’s chute and a few considered running but we all walked in the end. After talking to our son Zachary who is at Keeners at this time, Robert might very well run it next weekend!
It was such a nice afternoon, there was 10 of us, our biggest group so far for our club outings.
On Saturday night, we got a visit from Zachary and Sean that are staying at Keeners and Robert, Cheryl and Daylon went for a short paddle with them. They seem to be having a lot of fun at Keeners!
Sunday, we were all a bit slower to start but had a very good time at McCoy’s and Robert, Tilly, Cheryl and Daylon went to Wai-ki-ki.
We finished packing just in time before a huge thunderstorm hit and stopped by keeners to say good bye to the boys and got drenched just getting back to the car. We laughed as Emily slipped and slid to the car and Cheryl did a nice slide too trying to recover a lost shoe although I missed it. It was an entertaining and humid drive home.
Thank you Cheryl, Tilly, Martin, Pierre, Lee, Marise, Daylon For joining Robert Emily and I this weekend, you made the weekend that much more fun!
You can look at the pictures and videos on the CReW website.
We already miss Tilly and are looking forward to her return from Norway and she hasn’t left yet.
I am looking forward to our next weekend on the Ottawa!
This week will go by so fast, we have Billy and Carly staying with us, they will be helping us with the kids at tomorrow evening’s youth program and then teaching in Valleyfield.

Well, that’s enough writing!
Talk to you later!
Sylvie

July has started and CReW and our volunteers have kick started the 2008 Youth Challenge Kayak Program!

We will keep a running diary on the “2008 Youth Challenge Kayak Program” of the CReW Blog and between swims we will be sure to keep every updated on the progress of the kids in Cornwall.
So far the turn out has been great and with the help of so many people and groups we are sure to have a lot of fun, get kids in the water and so they can leave us at the end of the year with some life skills that will follow them for years to come.
I think that we will start a separate blog for the Program. Stay tuned.

Robert
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