Lumpy Waters 2017

Lumpy Waters 2017 was great fun!!!

As I write this post, I can't believe that this was my 7th year coaching at Lumpy.  Time flies when you are having fun!

Preparing the team for rock garden safety and rescues.

Lumpy Waters is a 3 day sea kayak symposium held annually on the Oregon Coast.  It is hosted by Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe.  If you haven't been to Lumpy, definitely mark your calendar for October 12-14, 2018 and get there! 

Why do I say that Lumpy is a don't miss event?

FUN - FUN - FUN.  Of course sea kayaking is supposed to be fun.  Lumpy Waters takes it to the next level of fun both on and off the water.  Each day starts with a chant and students sharing fun moments from the day before.  Classes are designed to be fun and instructional.  Instructors are encouraged to incorporate games, play, and even out-right silliness into their classes.  Lots of laughing and learning occurs.

Rock Garden Safety and Rescue class at Cascade Head.

After a day of paddling, everyone reconvenes at the Lumpy Headquarters at Cape Kiwanda RV Park.   Most participants and coaches stay on-site in cabins, rv's, tents, or nearby houses which are within walking distance of the event.  Evening activities begin with Happy Hour followed by dinner, short programs, and hanging out around the fire pit - which is conveniently located next to the Ninkasi beer tent.   

At the end of the evening, we walk home (or possibly to the pub - the Pelican Brewery is right across the street).  Rest up and do it all again the next day!

Liquid Fusion Kayaking's Jeff and Cate team-teaching rock garden safety and rescue at Cascade Head.

I keep coming back to Lumpy because I enjoy the camaraderie of the Northwest Paddling Community and I enjoy working with Team Alder Creek.  I look forward to reconnecting with students, coaches, and industry reps each year.  And each year the tribe grows.  Around the fire pit, we share stories of our personal and professional adventures.  Lots of laughter ensues.  

In addition to catching up with friends and making new friends, coaching was a lot of fun.  I got to teach my favorite subjects in the environments that I love the most.  Friday teaching in the surf zone, Saturday teaming with Jeff to teach rock garden safety and rescue and Sunday teaching a new class - Wet n Wildlife.

Day 3 Wet n Wildlife Tour on the glassy waters of Sand Lake.

For the Wet n Wildlife session, we went to Sand Lake.  It is a really cool estuary where we got to do a little bit of everything - reading the water, surfzone review, planning, tides and currents, wildlife watching, and identifying trees and plants.

Landing on the sandspit at Sand Lake for a little surf zone training.

The class was quite varied and I think that everyone enjoyed it for many different reasons.  A huge shout-out to the students for being open to the randomness of the class and my awesome assistants Kate Govaars and Kathy Mitchell for their coaching skills!!!

Checking out Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons on Sand Lake.

A huge thanks to the Team at Alder Creek Canoe and Kayak for putting on this fun event - especially Paul Kuthe, Suzi Elle, and Dave Slover.  Also a huge thanks to event sponsors -  Immersion Research, Maui Jim, Thule, NRS, Kokatat, Jackson Kayak, Sterling Kayak, Current Design, Sweet Protection, Astral, Werner, Ninkasi, Paddlesports North America, and the American Canoe Association.

Warm and dry on the Oregon Coast in my Immersion Research Shawty Drysuit.

I have marked my calendar for Lumpy Waters October 12-14, 2018.  Have you?

Expect to see this guy coaching at Lumpy next year!