East coast Blizzard

Emma had no school today as Baltimore County is digging out from about two feet of snow that fell over the weekend. Apparently more is on the way and they are thinking as many as three snow closure days...... Today was very cool for Emma and I as she finally got Skype video conferencing working and we were able to chat numerous time through out the day.

Pool session and paddling making

This morning at the ISK pool session it had been my intention of focusing on the spine roll, but some much more was achieved…. I had thought that I just needed to work on the end of the roll, but Alex helped me understand that I had to set up differently (my hands were all wrong), dig deep and get the blade out of the water and then slide my off hand and on hand out sideways. The end result was a great sense of accomplishment as I powered through the roll and found myself upright. Alex made another comment that really resonated with me – stop watching, just feel the roll, my chin had been tucked in so I could watch and this caused my head to rise up. By relaxing and no trying to watch my head was much lower in the water and stayed there for longer.
Having completed the spine roll Alex suggested I try the roll with the paddle behind my back, I nailed that first time. With my confidence built I broached the subject of Norsaq rolls and my desire to do the forward start forward finish Norsaq roll. Alex helped me set up correctly then bam, I did it, then bam I did it again… at this point I thought of quitting having had such an awesome session. Then Alex suggested I try the Norsaq from stern to bow finishing forward, unbelievably I nailed that too. I repeated them both then took a breather chatting with Tony, who then wanted to see the rolls, I did not expect them to work but to my amazement I nailed them all again! This time I finally quit and practiced some braces to relax. I had a huge grin and a wonderful sense of accomplishment leaving the pool today. You have to love the way people embrace not just the skills but also the culture of passing on these skills to others. Thanks Alex I am indebted to your teaching this winter.
On my way home I called J and we decided to have lunch together which was a lovely surprise, we met at Big Bowl in Edina, mmmmmm….. Good food. We then shopped and chose some everyday china and glasses to replace the war wounded flatware we have been using for many years. I visited Ron, owner of Novorca Paddles, on my way home and he showed me the processes he uses for wrapping the paddles in carbon, then as an added bonus I stayed and watch as he cut the foam core for an Aleut paddle a customer had ordered. It was great to see the craftsmanship and artistry at work, anyone who claims technology takes away from the tradition has clearly never seen Ron at work.
Ron and I have decided to offer this Wednesday pool session for free. Why you may ask? Well its paid for so why not share the opportunity with friends? One compelling aspect of Inuit culture is the way they pass on skills and help each other adapt the rolls to suit their bodies and boats. I think of these sessions as our chance to do that with our friends. I have helped several and several have helped me.... this is what it is all about for me. Today at the ISK pool session I talked Peggy through learning the butterfly roll, I knew having seen how relaxed she had become with her standard roll that she was ready for something else, she nailed it, and I was proud to be called her rolling mentor. A perfect end to a great learning experience... pass it on.

So the roll list has grown:

• Standard Greenland roll - Kinnguffik paarlallugu/nerfallaallugu
• Side sculling - Innaqatsineq
• Chest Scull - Palluussineq
• Reserve sweep roll - Kingumut naatillugu
• Standard roll with paddle behind neck - Siukkut tunusummillugu
• Armpit roll - Paatip kallua tuermillugu illuinnarmik
• Butterfly roll – Pakkaluaq
• Rolling with paddle in crook of elbow - Pakassummillugu/unermillugu
• Storm roll - Siukkut pallortillugu/masikkut
• Throwing stick, start tucked forward, finish leaning aft - Norsamik nerfallaallugu
• Hand roll, start tucked forward, finish leaning aft - Assammik nerfallaallugu
• Paddling upside down - Pusilluni paarneq
• Quick succession of standard rolls - Nerfallarlugu assakaaneq
• Spine roll - Aariammillugu
• Paddle held behind back- Kingup apummaatigut
• Throwing stick, start tucked forward, finish tucked forward - Norsamik masikkut
• Throwing stick, sweep from stern to bow, finish tucked forward - Norsamik kingukkut

Sea Kayak with Gordon Brown

While working on an incident at work tonight I had another new DVD playing in the back ground, Sea Kayak with Gordon Brown. Gordon Brown uses a trip along the west coast of the Isle of Skye to teach many bracing, turning and rock hopping skills. It's an interesting approach to a training DVD, I have many produced by the University of Sea Kayaking which are pure training, and the This is the Sea series which are purely about trips, this is the first that I have seen that blends the two together.
It certainly made me long to get back onto Lake Superior where I can get to play in the waves.... or the warm trade wind swells of Kauai breaking on the bar at the Hanalei river....

Dubside Spine Roll

Today my copy of Dubside's Greenland Rolling DVD arrived, I had received two copies of a different DVD from Paddling.net for Christmas and so I replaced one with this new DVD. It is awesome, lots of very helpful hints on how to improve my rolling. I captured this shot showing the arm position for recovery from the Spine roll, it completely explains why I failed.... I was taking the whole spine thing a little too literally. I can't wait to try this out on Sunday.

Also he shows a very interesting progression for learning the crossed arm roll, Alex tried to explain this to me a couple of weeks ago, but watching this DVD really made the progression sink in, more learning for me.... If you are unfamiliar with Dubside check out his website here: http://www.dubside.net/ And thanks Renee for recommending that I watch this DVD.

Spine Roll

I still can't quite get the finish on this roll. More practice required next weekend. In this video it is pretty clear that you leave the paddle behind in the water and it only comes out as you left your back upright and that it never really comes onto the deck.... food for thought.
Today I also cracked the Petrussen maneuver, which was surprisingly easy with my long tulik, Jeff struggled but I think his tulik was not long enough to allow him to get his hips out and twisted. I also again practiced the nalaasaarneq this time on both sides, in fact most of today's pool session I spent practicing offside rolls, none forward finishing... that is next on the list.
The new paddle worked like a charm even with its far smaller blade, I saw Fran using hers for the first time too, and Ron had finished the Carbon Aleutian Paddle - it looks awesome.



I discovered by chance today that ISK has an extra pool session on Feb 7th, sign up on line as usual, I just checked and 8 slots were available. Also we are holding a rouge pool session Wednesday the 10th February, sign up at http://poolsession.net

Rogue Pool Session #5

Traditional Kayak Clowns

Be careful when you watch this, you might die laughing:

Aleutian paddle

Ron at Novorca Paddles is working on a new Carbon Alutian design paddle, I am not sure but this may be a world first!
Very cool. I am hoping to see the prototypes on Wednesday, also my new Carbon GP (86x3) may be ready by then too... can't wait to try it out!
This picture shows the prototype shape cut out in styrofoam - not the foam that will be used in the final product!
While surfing tonight I came across this cool site skinboats.org they have a page on carving Aluet paddles.

Homeward bound

Plaza de Mayo, originally uploaded by Christopher Crowhurst.

Argentina proved to be a beautiful country filled with fabulous architecture and warm hospitable people. The mix of ancient and modern architecture makes for a vibrant lively city, add to that the street café scene and you have a great place to live, or visit.
That said its time to fly home, I can’t wait to see my family again. Europe beckons next with a trip to the UK, Spain and Belgium.

Buenos Aires

I arrived this morning in Buenos Aires with Peter on a direct flight from Sydney Australia, it was a great flight, I ate dinner took a sleeping pill and woke up on the approach to the airport!
Daniel met us at the airport and took us to our hotel which is a Hyatt inside the Palacio Duhau, a beautiful old stately home.
We walked around the city streets to get some sunshine and fresh air, then had lunch at the hotel. Now I am back at work on finance conference calls for the afternoon. Tomorrow we are off to the La Ley offices to meet both the local team and the customers.