Black Lives Matter - Perspective

#BlackLivesMatter #Perspective #BeAntiRacist
#ClaireSaccardi #CareForYourCommunity

Thought For The Day

With all the darkness that is in the world right now, and to everyone who faces their own internal struggles on a daily basis, how about we embrace our humanity and carry this straightforward but compassionate message into the new month ahead.

#LifeIsPrecious #YouAreWorthIt #Mindfulness

Thought For The Day

I just got done watching the ‘The Parole Officer’, starring Steve Cogan, on Netflix. A wonderfully quirky British movie from 2001, which is full of awkward moments, silly humor, sincerity, and innuendo.

If any of my North American friends want to get an insight into the culture I identify with, see some of the landscapes that abound in the North of England, and get a handle on my witticisms that are often mistaken for sarcasm, then I recommend you watch this film.

And yes, I laughed, I cried and felt terribly homesick for the vistas of Manchester and the Yorkshire Dales. And it appears, after all these years, I still have a crush on Lena Headey! If you are a GOT fan, then you will spot some of your favorite actors from that series here, looking much younger.

Watch and enjoy 😀

#LifeIsPrecious #EnjoyTheMoment #Humor

Welcome Onboard Fellow Storm Paddlers From Canada!

Today we would like to welcome onboard our fellow Storm Paddlers who will be joining us from Canada this March for Storm Gathering USA 2017 in Trinidad, California.

For more details about the event, visit the Storm Gathering USA website today!

To register, go to this page on the symposium website.

For more information, e-mail, info@greenlandorbust.org.

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The Storm Is On!

Storm Gathering USA 2017

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Naked Ambition

Nicole Reinhardt is a German Olympian who, along with Katharina Scholz, Petra Niemann and Romy Tarangul, featured in the September issue of German Playboy Magazine. The magazine was printed in four different editions, each dedicated to one of the athletes. Reinhardt, a sprint kayaker, was pegged as a gold medal hopeful in the K-2 500.

Reinhardt began her career in the club WSV Lampertheim and at the federal state performance base Mannheim. At the 2007 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Duisburg, she got, together with Fanny Fischer, WC-Gold in the 200 and 500 metre sprint. The following year she qualified for the Olympic Summer Games in Beijing. Nicole achieved Olympic Gold together with Fanny Fischer, Katrin Wagner-Augustin and Conny Waßmuth in the 500m K-4 sprint. In the K-2 class over the same distance she obtained fourth place with her team mate, Fanny Fischer.

Nicole Reinhardt says of her appearance in Playboy…'they're beautiful pictures'. Apparently the next spread she does, she wants her only accessory to be a gold medal...'not every girl or woman has a chance to appear in this magazine'.

I doubt she would have the same opportunity to promote paddlesports in such a unique way if she were to appear in Canoe Focus magazine!

Six Declines of Modern Youth

Born in Berlin of Jewish parents, Kurt Hahn studied in Oxford, Berlin, Heidelberg, Freiburg and Göttingen. During World War I, Hahn worked in the German Department for Foreign Affairs, analysing English newspapers and advising the Foreign Office. He had been private secretary to Prince Max von Baden, the last Imperial Chancellor of Germany. From 1920 to 1933 Hahn was headmaster of Schule Schloss Salem, a private boarding school in Germany, founded in cooperation with Prince Max. In 1933 Hahn was forced out of Germany and moved to Scotland, where he founded Gordonstoun and served as its headmaster until 1953. Hahn inspired or initiated the foundation of Outward Bound Schools, the Atlantic College in Wales as well as other United World Colleges, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and many other schools based on the same principles as Salem and Gordonstoun.

Hahn's educational philosophy was based on respect for adolescents, whom he believed to possess an innate decency and moral sense, but who were corrupted by society as they aged. He believed that education could prevent this corruption, if students were given opportunities for personal leadership and to see the results of their own actions. This is one reason for the focus on outdoor adventure in his philosophy. Kurt Hahn proposed that young people are exposed to six declines:

1. Decline of Fitness due to modern methods of locomotion;

2. Decline of Initiative and Enterprise due to the widespread disease of spectatoritis;

3. Decline of Memory and Imagination due to the confused restlessness of modern life;

4. Decline of Skill and Care due to the weakened tradition of craftsmanship;

5. Decline of Self-discipline due to the ever-present availability of stimulants and tranquilizers;

And worst of all:

6. Decline of Compassion due to the unseemly haste with which modern life is conducted or as William Temple refred to it as 'spiritual death'.

To counter these social diseases, Hahn conceived a preventive cure called Erlebnistherapie (experience therapy) which offered listless and lawless adolescence the opportunity to discover healthy passions, like the zest for exploration and the love for art and music, that would absorb the child completely. Hahn's experiential education program consisted of four elements:(1) physical fitness - exercising the body and keeping free from cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs; (2) expedition - exploring the world by sea and land under difficult conditions, alone or in groups; (3) project work - planning and executing an enterprise in research, art, or construction; and, most important, and (4) social service - helping the injured, sick, old, and handicapped in hospitals, homes, and rescue services.

Celebration

Freya Hoffmeister has become the first woman to paddle around New Zealand's South Island, setting a record time of 70 days for the 2,500 kilometre trip. Only four men have achieved the feat and Hoffmeister, who finished the circumnavigation at Okiwi Bay, near Nelson, on Wednesday, beat the previous record of New Zealander Paul Caffyn by six days, The Press newspaper of Christchurch reported.

She had paddled the final 169km through the night from Big River east of Kahurangi Point on the West Coast, taking 10-second power naps. She had planned to rest overnight at Farewell Spit but decided to keep going and with a tail wind reached Okiwi Bay at 3pm.

West Coaster Paul Caffyn, the first kayaker to circumnavigate the South Island, was there to hug Hoffmeister, who beat his record by six days. "It's an outstanding accomplishment," said Caffyn. "I don't think there is anybody with quite the same 100 per cent determination for achieving a trip like this. "You have to be so strong mentally as well as having the physical skills."

Christchurch kayaker Fiona Fraser said: "She is so brave and inspirational. She has battled huge seas, doing 60 or 70 kilometres some days."

Hoffmeister acknowledged it was a huge accomplishment. The worst moment was on the West Coast when the stern of her kayak broke in the morning and she lost her paddle in the evening. The most dangerous was battling 3m swells, with the crests breaking off Te Waewae Bay off Fiordland. "I was thinking if I capsized, `Who would rescue me?"' said Hoffmeister.

Her highlight was the last stretch. "It was lovely, there was bio-luminescence glowing in the water and dolphins swimming. It was magical," she said. "It is one of the hardest islands to paddle around -- there is rough swell and few sheltered places to land."

By Laura Basham, The Press, Christchurch, NZ

Live Fast ....

This is a video clip of Dan Osman climbing 400 feet in 4 minutes, 25 seconds. An impressive achievement.

Amazing People - Sean Morley

Photo: Sean Morley Collection

During my recent travels I had the great pleasure of meeting up with Sean Morley, who is a renowed British paddler currently living in California. Though our paths have crossed momentarily in the past at symposiums and trade shows, this was the first time I'd had to really talk with him. Sean is clearly a pleasant guy to be around with a rich and open outlook on life. And like many others, he's keen for people to enjoy themselves on the sea and is forging his way ahead in that line of work.

Sean originates from Cornwall and began expedition sea kayaking in 1996. He set a record for the fastest crossing of the Irish Sea in 1998. In 2004 he went on to complete the first solo circumnavigation of the UK and Ireland, the first ever to include all the inhabited island. Details of his exploits can be found at Expedition Kayak. 

Now a resident of Marin, Sean is working with Sea Trek on a number of their sea kayak clinics as well as being the West Coast representative for Valley Sea Kayaks. Sean has also featured in the This Is the Sea series of sea kayaking DVD's as produced by Justine Curgenven. If you are ever near Sausalito, call in at Sea Trek and say "Hi", you might just get some time on the water with Sean as well.

Amazing People - Mark Tozer

Okay, so what so amazing about me? Well, today is that special day in the year when I can celebrate all manner of things about my life. One being how I've managed to still be upright and breathing after all this time!

Not sure how much wisdom comes with age but I'm learning something new every day :0)

Amazing People - Nick Cunliffe

Nick Cunliffe is an active and experienced Level 5 Coach (inland kayak and sea kayak) and WCA Contracted Course Provider. In the past he has run a succesful adventure sports business in Llanberis where he organised the coaching programme and ensures that all Coach Education courses meet the highest coaching standards. Nick currently provides his services as a stand alone operator as well as producing the successful Kayak Essentials DVD.

Nick has been active across a number of watersports disciplines including sailing, windsurfing, river kayaking, coasteering and sea kayaking. Nick has occasionaly been known to enjoy mountain activities too.

As a long standing practitioner within coaching and instruction Nick has worked at two national centres in Wales, Plas Menai and Plas y Brenin. He continues to mentor and train aspirant paddlesports coaches at all levels. Learners that come into contact with Nick are often impressed with his empathy and ability to give feedback in a way that is understood by the performer.

As for global travels, Nick has enjoyed adventures with a boat in Europe, Alaska, Norway and Mexico

Nick features in Justine Curgenven's excellent sea kayaking DVD series 'This is the Sea 2 and 3'

Amazing People - This Is The Sea 3

The reason Justine Curgenven's latest DVD falls into this category is due to the fact that a number of people that feature in it are also mentioned here within my blog, and I think it its important to applaud the efforts of others especially your friends There is also the clear and obvious reason that Justine has again achieved a remarkable balance in representing a number of perspectives on our sport through two hours of visual stimulation in the form of action, wildlifes and seakayaking expeditions covering Antarctica, the Faroe Islands, New Zealand, Wales & Scotland. Also included is Greenland rolling with Cheri Perry and Freya Hoffmeister, the legendary Paul Caffyn and fantastic tidal race footage of the Falls of Lora.

All three volumes of This Is The Sea should become, deservedly so, a superb legacy for future generations to learn about what has been accomplished so far in sea kayaking terms and what may yet be still possible. It will inform anyone who watches the series, or even just this one, of the passionb and enthusaism particpants have of the sea, whatever the dimension.

Furthermore, Justine will be donating a percentage of sales from this DVD to the Andrew McAuley Support Fund , partly because it contains the story of Andrew's recent 800km journey down the Antarctic peninsula, which he filmed. For every copy Justine sells she will give US$1.50 to Andrew's family.

This Is The Sea 3 will be premiered on 10th March at Canoecopia in Wisconsin

Amazing People - Alys Mendus

Alys Mendus is a great source of inspiration to me. There are only a handful of people I know who can fill theirs lives with as much productive activity. Alys has the energy, enthusiasm and passion for life that sustains a remarkable sense of being. Every hour of every day is engaged in fufilling something of purpose and benefit. And this is not just in some sort of self indulgent way, Alys has the desire and willingness to share what she knows and what she loves with as many others who are open to such generosity.

In the time I have known Alys, which is over a decade now, she has proved to be to be a trustworthy, reliable and enthusistic friend. Alys possesses great maturity and conducts herself with reassuring confidence and efficiency. Qualities that I feel are particularly valuable traits in this modern society of ours. Whether its in the mountains, on a snowboard or clinging to a rock face, Alys such can't help herslef but get stuck in. Such is the boundless 'joi de vive' Alys possesses. She's even promised to give sea kayaking in the UK a go, though Alys has been spoilt by the trips she completed in New Zealand (which is a lot warmer and sunnier).


Photo: Alys Mendus Collection

If you were ever searching for a vibrant and wonderful travelling companion to have great adventures with......look no further

Amazing People - Alan Alldred

Here is a fellow who has had a tremendous impact on the values and beliefs I have formulated over the years as an outdoor practitioner. Alan Alldred is on of life's true journeyman who is revered and respected for his skills as an educator and as a paddler. Though Alan has embraced many disciplines over the years including competitive kayaking, mountaineering, caving and rock climbing his two current means of engagement with the environment come in the form of sailing and canoeing. What amazes many people is that despite his mature years and ailing body in the form of a loose hip, Alan still accomplishes a number of succesful voyages each year, sometimes solo.

Alan's career has spanned several decades which has included working at such bastions of outdoor learning as Whitehall, Buxton. He is very much a traditionalist in terms of the ethos we should project as coaches and instructors. For instance, if you can't climb the route in big boots, how can you expect the students to do the same? Alan firmly believes that the passion for an activity comes from doing the activity in your own time. The coaches, instructors and leaders he has at some time or other mentored, advised and challenged are legion. Every single one will speak of the benefits of knowing Alan and the value of the wisdom he has imparted.


Photo: Alan Alldred Collection
A truly original individual who has lived his life exactly the way it should be...........to the full

Amazing People - Andrew McAuley

Andrew MacAuley has been lost at sea whilst attempting the first solo kayak crossing from Tasmania to New Zealand, an open crossing of 1600 km. His journey began from the east coast of Tasmania to Milford Sound located on South Island, New Zealand. The route he took is entirely below the 40th parallel (40 degrees latitude south) otherwise known as the "Roaring Forties".

Andrew commenced this impressive endeavour on January 11. This was to be his second attempt, the first having failed due to exposure from the cold fairly quickly into the launch. However, on 10th February, with approximately 75 kilometers left in order to complete his Trans-Tasman Kayak Expedition, a distress signal was received, and many hours afterwards, following a helicopter search and rescue attempt, his abandoned kayak was located reportedly in good condition.

After several days of intensive searching there has been no sign of Andrew and further efforts have been halted. Hope fades away for his family who have been holding out that he will be found alive.

Wenley and Derrick are documenting information and updates as the story unfolds of the potential demise of this brave soul. It appears the outdoor and expeditioning community has lost a friend.

A support fund has been set up by the New South Wales Sea Kayak Club to help Vicki McAuley and family following the tragic disappearance of Andrew McAuley, devoted father and loving husband.

Amazing People - Mike Webb

There are plenty of characters in the world of sea kayaking who have gained prominence for one reason or another. Often notoriety or fame has been gained through the completion of an epic adventure. Well behind every great journeyman is a great boat builder. In this case its Mike Webb.

Here is one of life's genuine down to earth and straight talking individuals. What Mike loves doing is building boats that people want to paddle and currently that pleasure is being satisfied as master constructionist for Rockpool Kayaks. Whilst Mike may appear irreverent of the opinions of others, he does hold dear a process of healthy discussion where both sides can justify their perspective. This can be particularly effective over a pint, or several, at symposiums or trade events.

Mike may choose to describe himself as a grumpy git but beneath that veneer, or years of gelcoat, that is someone with a twinkle in their eye and a tremendous sense of humour. He cares about his work and quite happily put the time in to complete a job when most people are already in bed. Mike's reward is knowing that Rockpool Kayaks have gained a reputation for being elegant, high performance and well constructed quality boats.

Amazing People - Pete Jones

Peter Jones, by his own admission, has been round the block a few times and picked up many a story on the way. At one time Pete was chief kayak instructor at the Anglesey Sea & Surf Centre and continues to enjoy working life as a freelance coach in North Wales and further afield

Pete has taken part on many major sea kayak expeditions, including West Coast Canada, Nova Scotia, Israel, Holland, Spain, Ireland, Outer Hebrides, St. Kilda, Orkney and Greenland (2000, 2002 and 2004) and is currently sponsored by Sea Kayaking UK

As a long standing paddler and respected coach, Pete holds true to old fashion values of adventure, exploration and enjoyment wherever you may be with your boat

In June 2006 Pete along with Martin Ricard and Phil Clegg flew out to Scoresbysund via Iceland to undertake another extreme trip, and they had to rely on a certain amount of good fortune with weather and ice conditions to complete the expedition..................

..........."Exploring such a wild and remote coast under your own steam in a sea kayak, knowing you are totally dependant on your self and two mates, and being able to get to places and seen things no one else has ever seen before is beyond description. As is the coast line itself and the ice. We knew it would be wild and impressive but never realised how much so. Nor did we appreciate how insignificant we would feel in such a huge and remote world. Seeing the polar bears, close and in the wild on their terms was amazing and if nothing else was worth all the effort................"

Pete doesn't blog nor does he have a URL but if you ever get to spend time in his company whether its over a pint, on an expedition or being coached it will be a rewarding experience

Amazing People - Freya Hoffmeister

For those of you yet to experience Freya Hoffmeister, here are some insights I have gained over the last few months since getting to know the 'Lady in Black'. Despite having heard stories of this amazing person, I had only met her briefly at what was once the Anglesey Sea & Surf Centre. That chance meeting was memorable enough that when I began to organise the 1st UK Storm Gathering, Freya was an obvious choice as a guest coach. Not only for her expert knowledge on Greenland Style rolling techniques but also, as my good friend Pete Jones remarked, to add to glamour to the proceedings.

During the event Freya ran a number of rolling classes as well as doing some demo sessions on performance Inuit rolling for a local school group. Every student under Freya's tutelage came away beaming that they had accomplished several rolls as well as praising her calm and clear coaching manner. She was always first on the water and last off to ensure everyone got a far share of her time which takes some dedication in the turgid waters of Fionnphort harbour.

Yes, Freya still likes to wear mostly black but on occasion, off the water, she was spotted wearing clothing of a less stealth like nature. Her entry in to the Keel Row (Fionnphort's only pub) each evening caused many a man to consider forsaking his vows! Does that make her a woman to be wary of? I don't think so. Magnificent and entertaining is more likely with the ability to be charming and teutonic at the same time! She is clearly a fun loving yet hard working individual, you'd have to be to maintain that lifestyle (and enormous mobile home).

Freya has reached a certain status in the sea kayaking world which makes her the current 'femme de jour'. Rocpool Kayaks have produced what will surely become Freya's signature kayak - the Underground . Sea Kayaker magazine has written about her and soon we will all see Freya in This Is The Sea 3 . You can learn more about Freya's global activities through her blog . She happens to make a really good folding kayak trolley

Amazing People - Aled Williams

Aled Williams is synonymous with three things. He is a talented kayaker within many disciplines, he is an innovative boat designer and Aled is a very generous individual. As plenty has been written about the first two, I will focus on the last statement.

I have had the pleasure knowing Aled for over a decade and in the that time he has always presented himself to an upbeat individual with a positive, magnanimous and encouraging outlook. I have personnaly gained from Aled's support by being conferred sponsored Rockpool Kayaker status. An honour I have enjoyed for over a year now and something my students have benefited from by having access to his boats. Aled and Mike at Rockpool have continued this theme with Freya Hoffmiester, Wendy Killoran and Derrick Mayoleth. Aled was also happy to put his company's reputation against my fledgling efforts as organising a sea kayak symposium - 1st UK Storm Gathering. When all said and done, I think the behaviours Aled exhibits are rare in business and even scarcer in day to day life. To be willing to help others progress and with little asked in reurn other than to enjoy the opportunity is quite special indeed. Thank you Aled for making these things happen.


Its good to recognise amazing people.............it might inspire us to be amazing ourselves