Paddle Canada Level 2

 This past weekend I finally got my Paddle Canada Level 2 certification! Its something that I have wanted to do for a long time, and I'm proud to finally have it done. 

Overall it was a great course, and I certainly learned a lot, and learned what I have to work on. 

The biggest thing was the dynamic stokes, like the bow rudder and how to use them with edging. My eyes were really opened up to how much more maneuverable my kayak can be. 

Cathy and Gary were great instructors, and gave great feedback along the way. I think the biggest thing I need to work on is staying calm....I have a tendency to get excited in whatever I'm doing....even putting my spray skirt on....which leads to me fumbling more than I need to for sure. 

This course was also my introduction to paddling in currents and tides. It wasn't the best conditions for learning, but we did get to play around and try some things, now I just have to go and practice. 

Placentia Gut, waiting for a fishing vessel to pass

Day 3 - Ship Harbour area in Level 2 conditions

Day 4, Mad Rocks, Conception Bay. Not exactly Level 2 conditions, but we still got to play around and try some things

Cathy and Gary giving instructions on towing systems

On the way back

Now I have lots to practice and perfect over the summer. But I did discover that my 15 yr old drysuit is leaking on some of the seams, so I need that fixed!

Paddle Canada Level 2 - Day 1

 I've been wanting to do my Level 2 for a long time, but between family vacations, work and other things, I've never been able to line it up. But this year, it looks like the stars have aligned and I'm finally able to make it happen. 

But Mother Nature has the final say, especially here in Newfoundland and Labrador. We were supposed to do the 4 days of the course this weekend, including Friday and Monday, but with the forecast going beyond what was safe for Level 2 conditions, it was decided to put it off for 2 weeks, but we could do Day 1 today in Paddy's Pond. 

The forecast called for heavy rain in the afternoon, so the idea was to get on the water around 9 and get our training done and call it a day as early as possible to avoid the worst of the weather. 

It was wet, cold, and socked in with fog....but sometimes you just have to take what you can get. We started out with working on paddle strokes, and the recoveries. I have to admit I was nervous about a few things, as I am very out of practice with recoveries. 

I am doing the course through Newfoundland Kayak Company - The Newfoundland Kayak Company (nfkayak.com), and my instructors, Cathy and Gary were fantastic. They really did a lot to make us feel comfortable and it was very easy going. 

I got some great pointers on improving my forward stroke, and learned a couple new strokes that I never really practiced before. 

For the recovery portion, it wasn't as cold as I thought it was going to be, and I managed to successfully roll my kayak, which I haven't done since 2016 in Belize. It was nice to practice re-entry again...I haven't done that in years, and I certainly was rusty, and not as nimble as I was back before I had kids.

I'm really looking forward to the next section the course, especially the current work, as I have almost no experience with that to speak of, so I have a lot to learn there!

Morning Paddle from Spread Eagle to Little Ridge

 Really making an effort to get on the water as much as possible, whenever the wind and life permits. 

Sunday morning I got out for a few hours, went from Spread Eagle to Little Ridge and back, about 12 kms. It was a lovely morning, very little wind, and sunny skies. 

Saw a few eagles along the way, one I got pretty close to who was eating a fish on a rock. 

Sunset Paddle In Chapel Arm

 I got out for a Sunday sunset paddle yesterday. Nothing serious, just a short jaunt from Western beach in Chapel Arm over to the falls and back. Total was about 6 kms. I had originally planned to go to Little Ridge and back, but ultimately didn't have enough time to safely get back before dark. Got pretty close to a couple bald eagles, and also took a detour into Little Gut Brook. Nice way to end off the weekend.

Colliers to Bull Cove and Back

 Saturday morning, the Windy app was calling for light winds, becoming 20 gusting to 40 from the Northeast by noon. So I figured we'd be able to get a quick paddle in. I chose this area because it was facing NE, meaning we'd have the wind at our backs on the return. Plus I'd never paddled there, and I always like to see something new. 

I reached out to my buddy Trent and he was good to join me, so that was great. Always better to have a buddy than paddle alone, especially this time of year. 

It was cold morning, so we actually had to paddle through a couple millimeters of ice for about a km. Took a while for the fingers to warm up, and I started to notice my right foot was a little colder than the other. 

I'm also trying to get used to how my Rockpool handles. It was great to try it out in a decent following sea. The wind started a little earlier than expected and I did notice my hands got pretty cold during our lunch stop. Took me 10 mins of paddling to get them warmed up. I was thankful for my pogies, but discovered that my sealskin waterproof gloves were no longer waterproof. 

We hit the water just before 9, and were off the water just before noon, about 14kms total. I'm slowly getting my sea legs back!

No wind in the morning

Snack break at Bull Cove

Some nice wind waves by noon!

Revisiting an Old Favorite

 For my first paddle of the season, I thought I'd revisit an old fave. Colinet, St Mary's Bay.

I haven't paddled there for at least 10 yrs. With the forecast calling for no wind and sun, I figured it would be the perfect location. I only had a few hours, so I hit the water before 9 and was home again by noon, with 15kms under my belt and a smile on my face. 

My kids are finally old enough that I can sneak away for a few hours here and there, so I'm really hopeful to get back to being a serious kayaker. I'm pretty rusty right now, that's for sure.