Planning a new season an a new program

Robert Zwanenburg wrote 37 days ago:

In the spring of 2006 members of the Cornwall Recreational Whitewater Club and the Directors of the Adventure Sports Access Group Inc. sat together, opened their eyes and saw a need.

So many children and teens around us do not have the same good fortunes as our own. Good fortune does not necessarily imply that they are from households that are “financially challenged”. It encompasses a broader spectrum of influences from financial to emotional issues.
Although these are often the kids we associate with the highly visible “troublesome kids” it is also the quiet children who do not get out.
They go un-noticed in their community and although they reach out to us they are unseen. Most importantly they are children full of emotions, strengths and weaknesses; at times calm as a quiet pond or as unpredictable as the most turbulent river.
Our rivers are in many ways like these children: all around us – at times rough – at times calm – turbulent – fragile – worthy of respect – often reaching out but seldom heard.
By introducing these two precious resources, our children and our rivers/waterways, to one another we have been able to bring a light and a future to each. Each one is in need of protection, care and love.Kayaking has provided us with a means to reach out to the kids who are looking for something, like themselves, that is special.
Kayaking is an adventure that allows children and teens to explore themselves. It requires self-confidence, physical and mental strengths, concentration and a respect for the environment.

What do we do? We Challenge Young People.
Each year we, through the “CReW: Youth Challenge Kayak Program”, bring our volunteers and equipment out to the local rivers and introduce kids to kayaking.
We challenge them to learn something new; master themselves so that they can master the sport.We challenge them to be a part of their environment; to run with the river rather than against it.
We challenge them to look around themselves and see how they affect the waters and each other.
We then challenge them to step up and make a difference.
All this while learning a new sport and being allowed to simply be kids.

Does it work? YES.
The last 4 seasons have brought over 150 young people and our rivers together.
During each program we watched them all grow and develop.
The increased self-confidence (from “I can’t” to “I think I can” then “I know I can”), an appreciation for the environment and safety and the improvement in their own fitness, the improved sense of community (strangers become buddies and then become friends) is real and can be measured.
The results have come back to us even after the season is over. Many of the young people in our programs continue to kayak and be a part of our community when the program ends. Some of these kids have even come back to us after the program to volunteer so that other kids can experience what they have seen.
By challenging our young people to step up on and off the river, we have empowered them to use the tools they have always had in order to become productive and positive members of their communities in the years to come.

Our new program is a year ’round five part program that will run for the next 5 years and consists of

1. Pre-Season Round-Up.
2. Summer Kayak Challenge.
3. Summer Competition Challenge.
4. Single Day Challenges.
5. Winter Pool Challenge.

We are really excited to see the the program get a good start and will be posting throughout the season as things progress and the fun takes off.

In the face of our harsh economy and a bleak outlook for so many our children are more important than ever. Through the efforts of our volunteers and supporters we will:
1.    Provide a “no-cost” physical education program to the young people of the region;
2.    Provide positive guidance for our youth;
3.    Care for our environment;
4.    Allow kids to have fun and simply, be kids.

Our instructors, organization staff and board members are all volunteers. CReW offers certified private kayak instruction to support the summer youth programs. The rest comes from our sponsors and supporters.

You can be a part of the CReW: Youth Challenge Program.

If you are interested in supporting our program or participating as an volunteer or instructor we will welcome you with open arms.

To discuss how you can be a part of the CReW: Youth Challenge Kayak Program please contact us.

We will make ourselves available to answer your questions and welcome you on the journey.

See you on the water.

Respectfully,

Robert Zwanenburg
President and founder, Instructor and Volunteer
Adventure Sports Access Group Inc / The Cornwall Recreational Whitewater Club
Robert@cornwallwhitewater.com
Tel: 613-347-9089
Mobile: 514-973-3048

Categorized as:Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramKids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramKids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramKids and Kayaks  •   Youth Program

Tagged with:

Season has ended for the 2009 Youth Challenge Kayak Program: A few thoughts…

Robert Zwanenburg wrote 128 days ago:

The CReW 2009 Youth Challenge Kayak Program was a huge success.
We reached out to more kids than ever before bringing whitewater and the life lessons that go with it to over 40 kids in Cornwall and the Eastern Ontario Region (44 to be exact).

While our program has been working in Cornwall we also reached out to kids in Alexandria and brought smiles to  a lot of faces there.

What did we accomplish this year?
Opportunities for kids to be active – Huge changes in self confidence – improvements in behavior to each other- an awareness of the water ways and the environment – an understanding of water safety (including safe boating and staying clear of hydro stations and dams) and respect for the rivers – an improvement in the volunteer spirit (some where early to help unload and others stayed late to help pack up) – new friends – big smiles and the chance for kids to be kids and learn to love a new sport!

How does kayaking and sports change people? Let me show you:

Meet young mister “C”:
This young fellow (10 years old) came to us at the beginning of the season and he was an angry dude. Enough negative energy pouring out of him to knock down trees. At first I thought we would have to drop the kid form the program due to the negative effect on those around him. We can allow aggressive behavior regardless of the reason. And then I though to myself… Why drop him…. This is the kid who really needs what we offer.
The following week we encountered the same things and this time I took him aside and we had a talk. A change of approach. He did not like what I had to say but he listened anyway. Every time he got angry I encourage him to get angry but to direct his anger at the task in front of him. Do not look back, just take it out on the water. (Not being able to make it upstream is frustrating. It is also a great way to vent frustration!) The little guy let it out on the water. Lots of growling as he worked to guide his boat and make it do what he wanted it to do. Each week another lesson and each week more enthusiasm for paddling. And to his (and my) surprise some serious improvements. He controlled the boat and more and more he controlled his emotions. What’s more, the littering stopped – the language softened and his tolerance for others on the water improved. By August he was on board. Getting there early with a smile on his face and soooo many questions. In Valleyfield we saw what he was after and we let him take it. He loved running the river and when he rode with me in the Tandem he was thrilled. More importantly (for the time that he was with us and I hope beyond) the growling was replaced by laughs and the anger was put aside. He also tells us he will be back next year. His next goal will be the roll.
I really hope that he takes the lessons that he learned so well through the winter with him to school, in the playgrounds and to his mom.

Meet “J”:
A teen that is going through all sorts of personal change. He has been with us for several years and we have watched him grow, come out of his shell, express who he is and be happy with it. He was always a follower and last year, on the water, he was doing all the right things for the wrong reasons.
This year he grew a little more. He was respectful, helpful, great with the younger kids and showed an enthusiasm for paddling just because he can. No other reason. Another part of who he is and out there because it made him happy.
Does not sound like much? Guess again. Expressing yourself, choosing something good an positive, then sticking with it because you want to is a huge step in personal development and the road to success. Well done J and looking forward to seeing him again next year too.

These are 2 examples of many and that is why we run the Youth Challenge Kayak Program.

Another thing that truly set this year apart was the parents.
This season we saw more parents than ever before show an interest in what their kids were doing on and off the water with us. I am very proud of all the parents for taking the time to be a part of their kids lives and spending time with us.
The support they are showing their children now will have huge positive effects on the kids in the near and distant future.

We have a dedicated circle of volunteers and sponsors and I am very proud have all of them on-board with us.

Without the support of all our sponsors we could not do what we do. All kinds of support and help and every bit of it helps.

On behalf of the kids, our volunteers, our instructors, my family,
Thank-you thank-you thank-you

As for myself:
It is a huge privilege for me to be able to work with and teach these kids. They are great kids (each and every one of them). The volunteers are awesome and so are my instructors.
We have grown this little community of ours and it has become an extension of my family. I am one lucky dude to be in contact with soo many amazing people.
Thank-you for that.

Looking forward to another great season in 2010 with kids, kayaks, friends, family and all of you ho help to make it possible.

Robert Zwanenburg
robert@cornwallwhitewater.com
www.cornwallwhitewater.com
www.asag.ca
www.worldkayak.com/seawayvalley
Tel:  613-347-9089
Cel: 514-973-3048
19612 William street p.o.box 47 Williamstown, Ontario, K0C 2J0

Categorized as:CReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth Program

Tagged with:

From the kids to our sponsors and Supporters

Robert Zwanenburg wrote 204 days ago:

Thank you Thank-you Thank-you!!!!!

The smiles, the laughter and the fun and even the life lessons are something that you all helped us do.
We never seem to get them all together at the same time, but the kids of the 2009 Youth Challenge Kayak Program that were able to make it to the last session all got together and signed a card of thanks to our sponsors.

Thank-you all and be sure that we will be doing it again next year and reaching as many kids as we can in the region.

See you on the river somewhere soon and defintely during the 2010 CReW Youth Challenge Kayak Program

Robert Zwanenburg
www.conrwallwhitewater.com

Categorized as:CReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth Program

Tagged with:

CReW 2009 Youth Challenge Wrap Up – An Epic Season

Robert Zwanenburg wrote 206 days ago:

Tuesday August 25^th 2009.
Lamoureux Park – Cornwall, Ontario

On Tuesday evening we gathered all our volunteers and all 4 instructors together along with every boat that we own at the public boat launch at Lamoureux Park in Cornwall Ontario. All we needed were the kids and their parents.
Did they come? Oh yeah.
16 kids came out for one last paddle and to hang one more time with CReW.
We were also joined by a phenomenal showing of parents, uncles, aunts, brothers sisters and grandparents who just wanted to see what all the noise was about.
Tonight we kept the instruction to a minimum and focused on fun and games.

The evening started with the usual pandemonium of kids trying to line up and get geared up. Then we reviewed a few safety items and went over the use of a throw bag (I do not think you can over-do the importance of the bag… Just save one person or get saved once and you will understand and appreciate the lessons learned). Now they were all fidgeting and getting restless…
So time for the paddle game. Even the biggest hard head enjoys that and it burns some surplus energy. And…. Onto the water! A few good stretches and reminder about motor boat traffic hazards, a couple warm up stroke and then… time for piano keys!!!!!!!!! Who hoo.
Any time that I mention this I get funny looks… a few comments that sound like “lame”, “silly” and “really…”. But then we get it going. Brake the group into4 groups of 4 (1 group per instructor makes it soo manageable) and then get them to raft up.The person on the end walks across the bow of their fellow rafters… works their way around the end and walks back across the stern then gets back in their boat. Easy? No way.
And…… the laughter starts – kids falling everywhere. – Yells, smiles and more importantly, they are pulling together to help get the kid who is moving all the way across and back in the boat! (a little lesson slips in every time. He he) When someone falls, they all work to get the person back in the boat and move to the next person. Loads of fun.
When that was done it was time for stand up paddling. Zachary did the demo.
Nothing quite as hilarious as watching a kid grow and not be aware of the changes occurring. Last year Zachary could do this no problem.. he was little… Now, he is growing and the upper body (though still small) is growing. What does that mean? The center of gravity is changing. And what do we know about gravity? It always pulls you down!!!!! Zach hit the water like a sack of potatoes and all the kids thought it was a hoot.
In no time at all they were all doing that! Loads of laughter, smiles, swimming, occasional success and most important: confidence! Each of them tried, failed, tried and failed but never gave up! That is what I want to see from them and I am soo proud of each one.
Can there be more? Uhuh… they would help each other when they fell over! Sweet!
This evening we cut the on water time to 1.5 hours so we could get them all sorted and have a chat, hand out their certificates and a bit more.

Once we were off the water they slowly dried up and settled down. I had a chance to thank them for doing such great jobs on the water and for making it so much fun for the others and myself to teach them. A special thanks went to their parents and relatives who did an amazing job supporting their kids and encouraging them. Nice!

Then we awarded them with their different level of achievement ORCKA awards (From Flatwater A to moving water) and then the surprise.
Thanks to our sponsors and local supporters we were able to round up a selection of cool prizes and we held draw. Everyone left with something that they could enjoy after the program (Sunglasses from Seaspecs, clothing from Jackson, World Kayak and CReW, water shoes, DVDs (LMV, Jackson) stuff from OPG, and stuff from CReW.

Again a lot more smiles. And that is what we shoot for.
Following this we talked briefly with each of the kids and all of their parents and after a few words of encouragement another season comes to an end for the CReW Youth Challenge Program.

Here are a few photos and clips from the evening. CLICK CLICK CLICK Enjoy
(sorry but we are all on the water. Will look at a photo volunteer next year!)

So what did we see this summer?… Huge changes in self confidence – improvements in behavior to each other- an awareness of the water ways and the environment – an improvement in the volunteer spirit (some where early to help unload and others stayed late to help pack up) – new friends – big smiles and the chance for kids to be kids and learn to love a new sport!

Now the planning begins for the 2010 program!!!!

I would just like to thank one more time all the people who make this possible.
The Kids: Really guys, I could not do this if there were no kids and we love you all and thank-you for making this easy to do We loved watching you learn, and grow and change through the season.
It was a privilege to teach and play with you all. Thank-you. We hope to see you all next year.
The Parents: I have said it a lot but I will say it again: The effort you put in to your kids and the positive support that you make now will work in your favor and help to ensure that your kids are outstanding adults and members of the community in the years to come. Well done. Want to hear it again? WELL DONE!!! Thank you for putting your faith in us (your trust means more to me than I can express ) and letting your kids play on our rivers.
The Volunteers and instructors: Sylvie Lebel (My wife and best friend), Cheryl McGregor (Instructor, board member and always there with ideas), Aime-Jean Lavigne (Instructor, good friend and amazing paddler!), Zachary Zwanenburg (Instructor to be, superb assistant and my son), Jennifer Tytula (Club member and volunteer on the water), Kari-Anne (Volunteer for the SD&G Boys And Girls Club) and all the other volunteers from the Boys And Girls Club who came out to help us do this.
Our sponsors and supporters: Jackson Kayaks, Mountain Equipment Coop, Ontario Power Generation, H2O Performance Paddles, Level 6, World Kayak, Alexandria Moulding, The SD&G Boys And Girls Club, The Alexandria Youth Center, Adventure Sports Access Group, and CReW (I really hope I did not forget anyone….)

This year, we reached over 40 kids during the summer. From the main branch of the program in Cornwall to the short but successful offshoots into Alexandria.

We are looking forward to bringing more kids and kayaks together on the river next year.

Until then, Play hard, Play Safe and always have fun!

See you on the river somewhere soon,

Robert Zwanenburg
www.cornwallwhitewater.com

(PS: National Children’s Day will be celebrated with 2 pool sessions for local kids in Cornwall on November 22^nd and November 23^rd. See you there!)

Categorized as:CReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth Program

Tagged with:

Saturday August 22nd: Youth challenge Kids on the Riviere St-Charles

Robert Zwanenburg wrote 211 days ago:

Saturday morning Sylvie, Cheryl, Zachary, Emily and I loaded up our gear and then headed separate ways. I drove out to Cornwall to pick up the kids from the program and drag em out kicking and screaming to the Riviere St-Charles in Valleyfield Quebec.
Were they really kicking and screaming? Not so much. They were excited and it was mixed with some anxiety Aaron (who has already been going on Wednesday nights), Justin (also form Wednesday nights) Chris, Ryan, Isabelle and Olivia were loaded up by myself and Kari-Anne (the B&GC Volunteer).
We arrived in Valleyfield where we were happy to see all the boats already laid out by the team from CReW. We were also met by Maude (brought by her mom), Alex and Alissa (brought out by their parents).

We split the group into those who are already paddling in whitewater and those who are not. Aime-Jean took the haves while Sylvie and I started with the have nots. Cheryl jumped between the groups filling in the voids wherever necessary.
What an awesome day. once again the kids were in the right mood and so where the volunteers. We saw excellent progress from Maude, Aaron and Justin and they ran the river, picked eddies and surfed
The new whitewater paddlers learned to swim, raft and enter faster current. Then worked on rolling. Through it all we took the  kids down the river in the duos. What a way to experience whitewater. The kids loved helping pick eddies, surf and play. Nothing quite as amazing as listening to the little person in the front scream and laugh as you peel out, nail the tough eddy, and surf and surf and surf.
Justin was a huge asset and did his part to rescue swimmers and encourage the little kids. Thanks Justin.
Even Kari-Anne got in on the action and we had her paddling with the kids. Nicely done.
Then there were the parent. It makes me want to walk up and hug parents when I see them so involved and enthusiastic. This summer has been inspirational for that and this day was no exception.

4-hours flies by and it was time to wrap it up. Alex and Alissa headed home with their parents and Kari-Anne and I loaded up the kids and took them back to Cornwall.

For more pics and video click here

What a day. Next on the agenda is next Tuesday. We will spend some time on the water with ALL the kids and play piano keys and simply horse around. And then it is over for another season.

Many of the kids have returned our membership forms and we will be seeing them at club events and pool sessions. So really, it never completely ends.

Another great day. Thanks to all our sponsors, volunteers and the kids without whom this could not happen.

See you Tuesday.

Robert.

Categorized as:CReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth Program

Tagged with:

Week 7: August 18th and 19th – The kids own the river!!!!

Robert Zwanenburg wrote 211 days ago:

This week has been a week of all sorts of change from the kids in the Youth Challenge Kayak Program.

Tuesday the 18th brought us to the Cornwall waterfront with 3 instructors and 13 kids. Is 13 an unlucky number? Heck no!! They were all in the mood to paddle and they were all in the mood to learn. To complete the ORCKA flatwater requirements the kids had to review water safety (equipment, conditions, hand signals), show us a good draw (ugh.. that one is tough..) a good review of the basic strokes and wait for it: on water boat re-entry. They all grunted through the strokes and gave me all sorts of reasons (my dog ate my homework…) for struggling with the draw (Though some of them really kicked at it ) but when it came time for the boat re-entry they were great!!!
One by one each of them did a wet exit and worked with 2 buddies to scooch back into their boats. There was loads of laughter mixed in with frustration.
While I was playing with them doing the re-entries Cheryl was working with each one, one at a time, to get a close as possible to their first rolls. Several pulled it off. We now have Aron, Alex, Josh, Karly, Alissa, Brandon, and Tyler who have rolled at least once!!! Score. Several of them have been able to repeat the event
Amongst it all was Sylvie who was working with the last 3 on the wet exit. Isabelle, Olivia and Ryan are now ready to step it up with the others.
Some nights are better than others and this one was awesome. Lots of kids rolling, several very close and a couple more stepping up to the plate. Nicely done.
All the kids and parent were reminded that the coming Saturday was the Whitewater Saturday and they were all invited to join us in Valleyfield for a day of whitewater
Stay tuned for that one.

Wednesday August 19

We were joined by a smaller group than usual. Julie, Justin, Maude, Aaron, Alex and Brandon. But with a 2 to 1 ration the students got the attention they needed to really get better. Everyone revisited and pulled off their rolls. We saw some surfs and great ferries and sideslips. The part that I enjoyed most was the time spent discussing river rescues. Basic use of the throw bag, priorities and safety. Each person got to be a victim and and rescuer. They were having loads of fun. The person who stood out for that was Alex. His interest was obvious, he took it seriously and his throws and retrieving was sweet! Nicely done.

Time goes way too fast and we had to call it to an end. But everyone had fun. Instructors, kids and parents. I love seeing parents show such interest in their kids.
Thanks to Denis for bringing Julie and Justin back to Cornwall.

The kids also got a chance to send Billy and Carly Harris a good luck card for the Worlds in Switzerland. Here is a picture of Billy and their card.

All the kids are supper excited to be coming back to Valleyfield on Saturday and we are looking forward to getting them out for a day of fun in the sun.

See you then.

Robert Zwanenburg
www.conrwallwhitewater.com

Categorized as:CReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth Program

Tagged with:

August 12th: Hot weather and water makes for a lot of fun swims!

Robert Zwanenburg wrote 220 days ago:

August 12th brought a group of 7 kids to Valleyfield with us for another fun whitewater evening!

Sylvie picked up Daylon, Justin and Jule, Brandon was brought out by his dad, Alex and Aaron were brought out by their folks and Maude was borough by her “entourage!!!!”
That is right folks: Maude had her sister, dad (the guy who drives the van), and a selection of friends to cheer her on….
We were also lucky to be joined by Austin. Six years old, a powerhouse of energy and ready to spend some time with Cheryl in the duo!!! Soo cool
We started with a swim down the entire rapid. They all enjoy that.. I don’t get it but really they do!
Then it was serious time. Aime-Jean headed up the river with Julie, Justin and Daylon while Sylvie and I took care of Maude, Aaron and Alex and Brandon
The 3 with Aime-Jean did great. A few surfs, some good river running displays and Julie nailed her hand roll !! We are proud.
Aaron, Maude, Alex and Brandon all ran the river. There was lot of nerves but they all did great. Then it was time for rolling. Here is what I see: Brandon: Hips hips hips. Relax the upper body. Alex: relax the upper body and heep the head down. Aaron: Smile!!! Relax you are there. just relax.
Maude – head down and  time to hand roll!
A surprise for the evening was Alex: the hand roll is awesome! Now do it with the paddle! Aaron is 1 session away from the hand roll and I believe the roll will be hers before the others. Keep it up and smile

The evening ended for the kids with some good attempts to cross eddy lines, another great run down the river and a few excellent swims. Kids: swimming happens to all of us sometimes. It is part of the deal. If you never swim it is because you are not pushing your limits
Do not worry it is all part of the deal !!!  There are a lot of us who call their whitewater play time “in between swims for a good reason
A highlight for me was Austin. This little guy spent some time paddling the duo with Cheryl and then I got to spend some time in the boat with him! Who hoo is what I have to say about that. Once he got in we had a short chat and I promised he would not be upside down. And he was not But he helped me catch all the hard to catch eddies and we surfed mini wave together. Over and over again. There were some yells of surprise and some huge smiles. Thanks little guy for letting me take you on the water. Those smiles and the smiles of his folks from shore is why I paddle

At the end of the evening we handed out a notice for our annual day of whitewater with the kids (August 22nd) and also invited them all to compete at the next World Kayak Hometown Throwdown on August 23rd. It will be awesome to see them in their first rodeos surfing and smiling.

For now it is time to pack it up and get ready for another week of kids and kayaks.
Next week Sylvie and I are teaching a group from the Alexandria Youth Center and we are starting to spread our youth program to other areas in Eastern Ontario. Way Cool!

I know that the parents have been taking pictures so I am going to have to beg them for a few.

Till next time, play hard and play safe,

Robert Zwanenburg
www.cornwallwhitewater.com

Categorized as:CReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth Program

Tagged with:

August 11th: Rolling rolling rolling, keep those children rolling!

Robert Zwanenburg wrote 220 days ago:

Tuesday night in Cornwall turned out to be a beautiful evening:)

We were joined by 14 kids (a slightly smaller turn out but it is vacation season and many kids are away with family).
The plan for the evening: Crossing eddy lines and rolling!
But first it was time to get the kids to lead in stretching. Nothing makes me laugh more than asking a young person to lead a conversation or event! It starts with a look over their shoulder followed by “who.. me?!?!?!”. 5 kids from the group were chosen to select a stretch and lead the other. It was good.
After the stretches we talked briefly about power dams and hydro stations. Stay Clear. Simple and direct. Then, given the boat traffic for the evening we reminded everyone about basic boat safety. They are big, we are small. We can see them… they do not see us. Stay clear! A message well received.
Out on the water!
Everyone who came out rocked. From the most enthusiastic to the not so much.. They all made it up stream and everyone worked at crossing the eddy lines we presented! A small eddy line can present a huge obstacle to overcome when it is your first time! For some it was humbling and for others it was the mountain that needed to be scaled. They all ended up pulling it off in the end. Great for their confidence.

Then we went to rolling: Alex and Aron (squeaked back in for a Tuesday evening sesion since there were a few available boats and their rolls were 90% and soo close to completion. (Hey Brandon, if you happen to show up next Tuesday and don’t mind taking the clance that tit is full, you might be able to get in an extra day! Call us!)
Tyler is close to pulling off his roll. Josh is there. Karly too. Just a bit more confidence and she will rock it in Valleyfield seen enough. Mat and Randy are very close and need to work the hip snap. Boys: relax the arms it is all about the hips!

Alissa is very close and needs to have a little more faith in herself. She rocks and she knows it
Chris: your hip snaps are awesome and you are soo close! Keep it up and relax. Focus on the task and you will nail it very soon!
Isabelle and Olivia will be getting their wet exit when they are ready. From their the sky is the limit!

Each year 2 good friends come out to help us teach. Billy and Carly Harris. This year they are both on the Canadian Team and are heading to the Worlds in Switzerland. All the kids and volunteers put together card for them. Sweet! I will deliver it myself next week before they leave

After 2 hours of water fun it was time to pack it up. Karly and Josh got a lesson on how to strap boats (each week we take 2 different kids). This is important because one day they may be loading their parents cans or their own cars. A boat that falls off can cost you a mirror (ask me why I know this….) or worse.

And so it came to an end. Another great evening with kids, parents and kayaks.

Thanks everyone and I look forward to being on the water next week again!

Robert Zwanenburg

www.cornwallwhitewater.com

Categorized as:CReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth Program

Tagged with:

Steping it up! Day 11 of the CReW 2009 Youth Challenge Kayak Program

Robert Zwanenburg wrote 225 days ago:

First of all let me tell you how proud I am of the parents who come out to take the time to watch their kids on the water. Hats off to them! It is such an important part of family

Wednesday August 5th was a special day for Aaron, Alex and Alissa. Time to step up!
I was met in Valleyfield by Aime-Jean and Sylvie. (Cheryl, Zachary and Emily were paddling but not teaching. Though each set a fine example on and off the water)
Sylvie came out with Julie. But to my surprise we did not see Sean, Daylon or Justin…. (They need to know that if they call us ahead of time and need some extra help to get out we can make it happen!!) (Sean is taking care of an injury and I am sure we will see him soon )
Maudes father brought her out and our new kids (Aaron, Alissa and Alex) were griven by their parents! Julies mom came out with her sister shortly after we arrived! So cool!
So a small group made giving me the care they needed really easy. Aime-Jean took Julie and Maude for the evening. They both worked hard at picking their eddies and by the end of the evening Julie was surfing without issue and Maude was on the wave too Sweet!
Sylvie and I split the 4 new paddlers. First it was swimming the rapids. Not an issue at all. Then a quick raft through for confidence. Reviewing the roll and then time to work the eddy lines and enter the current. They kids were great. Under the watchful eye of the parents we saw Aaron and Brandon rolling, entering and exiting the current effectively running part of the river. Alex worked his roll and will be there really soon but he stepped it up by running the entire river on his own. Nicely done
Each week in August I will take one of the new paddlers down the river in the duo so they can clearly see where each eddy is entered and how to use their edges effectively. I started with Arron. After a few hip exercises together we ran and nailed every eddy and ferry on the river. She did great !!!
Next week she will be running the river and picking her own line for sure!
Alissa worked with Sylvie on hip snaps, rolling and entering current. She did well and unfortunately will be going back to Tuesday evenings. Her soccer camp is Wednesdays. Well she will be rolling and we will make surer she comes back to Valleyfield at the end of the program with a solid roll so she can get the most out of the day there.
2 Hours shoots by way too fast and it was time to head out.The kids left with their folks and we headed home to hang and dry the gear.

Next week I hope to see a few more kids step up from Tuesdays to Wednedays and will continue the fun through the month of August.

I will also be recruiting a parent to take my camera and get as many pics as possible so we can make sure that hese posts are not just me babbling! A picture or 10 paint a thousand words!!

Till next week,

Play safe and share the passion,

Robert

Categorized as:CReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth Program

Tagged with:

Thunderstorms and the 2009 Youth Challenge Kayak Program

Robert Zwanenburg wrote 225 days ago:

We have been so lucky this year but on Tuesday August 4th, the weather gods and may fair weather rituals let me down….

Sylvie and I loaded up 24 boats on Monday night and when we got to Cornwall on Tuesday with Cheryl and Zachary in tow we the skies were looking grim.

We were joined by 14 kids  (3 new paddlers again!) and volunteers from the boys and girls club. Although the skies were grim it was still a go and we got eveyone onto the water without delay.
The message for the evening was about safet and garbage. 2 improtant items that are often disregarded. A respect for hydro stations and dams was conveyed. Simply put: Stay Clear and play safe. Dams are not a playground for people in boats.  Last week my crew spent some time picking up plastic bottles and granoal bar wrappers at the end of the program so this week we reminded everyone that it is not acceptable to litter and it will not be tolerated. I used my most serious face (weak at the best of times) and the message was clear and well received.
On the water we wanted everyone who could roll or could almost roll to step it up. And they did. Aaron and Brandon ruled! Alex is close behind. I think it wil not be long ill Tyler follows suit and we will work on him and the others next week.
I also had the priviledge of taking Olivia in the duo She had fun and we laughed a lot. Despite an early swim (my bad) we had the boat rolling together by the end.
Speaking of the end… The evening was shut down after 45 minutes…. While paddling the weather took a turn for the worse. The biggest thunder storm that I have seen in a while! So we hustled everyone off the water, had a chat with a few parents anfd get em all to land.
I invited Aaron, Brandon, Alex and Alissa to step up to the Wednesday evening whitewater program. They are ready and benefit from the change. I also asked Adam to come if he can get back to Conwall. (We are crossing our fingers )
As soon as the kids and parents were gone we wer hit by the storm. In no time at all we were all soaked. Massive lighting, thunder and rain.
The kids asked why were were getting off the water and thisemphasised the importance of safety on the water.
Impresseive storm and good lesson to boot

Categorized as:CReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth ProgramCReW  •   Kids and Kayaks  •   Youth Program

Tagged with: