Keener of the Week/Jackie’s Goals

July 21, 2009

Hello Everyone!!
I hope you are enjoying the Keeners blogs and photos. Tonight 13 Keeners did First Aid/CPR, which took until 9pm. These Keeners will be posting their blogs and photos tomorrow morning and tomorrow night. We held a Keener meeting tonight after the First Aid/CPR course where we all completed questionaires and voted for awards, these will be posted tomorrow night. Since all of the Keeners have been chatting about their goals and such, I would like to share mine as well. Tonight Jamie Rosenberger took me out on the water to assist me with basic bracing, rolling, and simple skills. I have been kayaking since last summer, but never had anyone teach me much at all. Having Jamie explain how things should be done helped me out so much that my roll and brace went from a 6 to a sturdy 9!! Then after that lesson he took me over to Baby Face and explained how to catch the wave and how to spin. I caught the wave multiple times, front surfed for long periods, and even attempted a spin!! I had a fantastic lesson with Jamie and hope to learn so much more from the Keeners by the end of the summer. My goal for the end of the summer is to learn how to blunt. I feel like I accomplished so much in just one night with Jamie that learning how to blunt won’t be too difficult. I would like to give a huge shout out to Jamie…thank you very much!!
Tonight at the Keener meeting Sam and I announced Keener of the Week. This week Sam and I decided that Max Rayner was certainly above and beyond. Max is a Keener with a bright heart and a cheery attitude. He is simply creative and unique. He is someone that doesn’t mind doing that extra little bit to make things impeccable. Listening to his speeches during Monday night speech night is entertaining for the entire group, everyone always gets excited when it is Max’s turn to speak. His blogs are generally very different and unique from other Keeners. Being above and beyond others is certainly a goal and interest for Max. He has proven to be a strong leader, even though he may be short and tiny…he stands out amongst the crowd. Thank you for your polite, mature, outstanding personality and behaviour Max, it is much appreciated and greatly admired. Keep up the extraordinary work!
Until next time…
Thank you,
Keener “Mom” Coordinator
Jacqueline :)

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Posted by sme180

This is the end, my only friend the end.

July 21, 2009

Well, here it is, the end of Keeners for little ol’ Matt Hill. It is sad to have to be leaving, I will be leaving behind all the fond memories, the surfs, the swims, and the beatdowns. It has to end and when it does you just need to look back and smile. These past three weeks at Keeners have been the highlight of my whole summer and I have learned so much. I did my first double pump to bow stall today!!! Hooray!!! So far I think my favourite experiences have been when I got my first bow stall and forgetting my helmet on the Gatineau trip because I have now learned to remember to bring all my things. It is always good to end on a high point and go out with style so I will make this last week last as long as possible and learn as much as I possibly can.
Bye,
Matt

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Posted by geoff

Last week on the ottawa

July 21, 2009

Hey guys, Finn here writing my last blog of my keener experience.
Last night was monday speech night, I had to do a farewell speech, I thanked the coaches and jackie, and then went on to say what I loved a bout keeners (everything) and what I would change about the program (nothing).
So far the water level has been good to us, when I arrived it was around 5, now it is 1, it has been good because we gety varying amounts of play on the river.
During my stay at keeners I really enjoyed meeting everyone and kayaking every day with a great bunch of people. When I came to keeners i really wanted to be able to blunt and loop. I have reached those goals and I am now moving on to bigger and better things.
I would like to see things get done a bit faster at keeners, we need to have a ramp and when we asked for a guitar we did’nt hear back.
I will probably not be returning to keeners next year because of the cost to get here from new zealand. But I would really want to.
I have had the best experience of my life at keeners and I will remember it for the rest of my life.
Finn

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Posted by scubastevenshannon

Keeners

July 21, 2009

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Posted by Jennifer Tytula

Last post of my stay

July 21, 2009

Hey this is Jacob from Keenerville. Unfortunately this is my last blog post as a Keener. I have had the time of my life during my stay. I have learned so much and pushed my limits. I still have one more week to accomplish as much as I can. Tomorrow we have swift water rescue training, which I am excited for. Last night was speech night and it was slightly depressing because everyone was saying their farewells. All of the Keeners had an excellent speech and many their last. Fortunately the water level is at a good level. Baby Face is currently at an excellent level. Left side is very retentive, this was proven when Rory, our Irish Keener, tried to dodge a raft and punch through the hole, this was very funny to watch. Hopefully the level will drop that extra foot so Garb will come in. It is so close and everyone is anxious. Keeners has been great and I will truly miss it. The part that made Keeners different from other camps is the great people and instructors, and of course the world class river. Hopefully the ramp will be put up and make my last week at Keeners that much better. I will hopefully be able to return next year to push my skills that much more. For anyone wondering if you should come to Keeners you should know that it will be life changing and make you a much better paddler and even a more well rounded person.
Thanks to everyone!

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Posted by Skyaker

My last days at the ottawa

July 21, 2009

Hey everybody, it is the Belguim boy Lane.
Yesterday it was speech night, speech night is always very interesting since you hear what other people have to say and about their goals.
The water level is not so high at the moment, but it is still fun because blacks is in and that is a really cool hole, perfect for looping.
I think that the part I most enjoyed was the trip to the Gatineau, that was really fun. One thing I would like to see change is more river trips to other rivers. I really want to come back next year, so I hope I can.
Many people should come to the Ottawa and join the Keener program, it is the best program in the world!!

Greetz,
Lane

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Posted by aparlini

Hoping for More

July 21, 2009

Hay there guys it’s Taylor from Tn, again. This is my last week as a keener and so far it has been a blast. Today was my first day doing the main at this level and I must say that the water level here makes a lot of difference. I surfed Push Button and Black’s for my first time today. On Push Button i was really close to a blunt but, I did do one at Baby Face. I am hoping that the level keeps dropping so that Garburatter comes in. It is going to different going back home and paddling the rivers there with smaller features and what not but, it will also be good to take the skills that I have learned here and but them to good use back home. I hope that I keep growing in my paddling skills here and learn as much as I can in the last week.

Taylor

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Posted by eaterfan