East Coast Paddlesports and Outdoor Festival April 11-13, 2014, in Charleston South Carolina

I arrived at the festival grounds on Thursday afternoon. I carried Dubside, the Greenland-style roll expert, down in my car for company. Tired and hungry I climbed in Pete's car to go meet his friends who had been in training (learning to assist the physically and mentally challenged with water sports) with him earlier in the week, pre-festival. We ended up at a barbecue place, where else? This was when I realized being on a vegetarian diet and not eating wheat either might be nigh on impossible.  So above is the first photo I took of my little adventure. It was an odd meal but that, and a root beer, set me straight. I had enough energy to finish setting up camp in the "primitive camping area" and tuck in for the night.

What would a trip to Charleston be without alligators? Or the legendary dolphins that have distracted so many kayaking students? 

This alligator was basking on the bank next to the gravel launch, off the parking lot. There were several 'gators in the "duck pond" with us. The park service "removes them" when they hit six feet. Stay small, my friend, stay small and live long.

To get to class we parked, launched, and then paddled to the "master class staging beach."

View of the festival from the launch canal

Dubside preparing his Greenland ropes

This Irish chap, Declin (sp?) was in many of my classes. His boat had stickers for "The Complete Paddler," a company that is based in his current home city in Canada, Toronto. He said his boat needed repair but the parts weren't in yet so the owner of The Complete Paddler sent him down with his own boat. Sweet.

I tried not to appear to be stalking Nigel Foster but, um...it was hard not to seek him out as he is a delightful fellow. He is really charming, and a very good teacher.

Taking my first class of the Symposium with Nigel set the tone to "very positive." I had a super time and every instructor gave me something to take home and work on. I'll cover that in my next installment.

I enjoyed the space between classes where in I paddled around and took photos, soaked up the sun, and just generally embraced the paddle-bum atmosphere.

Of course Subaru has a strong presence at the Festival. All the Subarus everywhere made me feel like one of the "cool kids." Also the number of sea kayaks just waiting for attention was staggering. 

Up to now my experience with Epic has been rare. Our friend Pete has an 18X and of course I know Brian Blankinship, who has an association with Epic. However, these boats were constantly in demo and apparently surf skis were selling like hotdogs. Some one told me they are the "next big thing." I was thinking that paddle boarding wasn't done with being "the next big thing," yet, but maybe I was wrong. Either way, surf skis have the challenge factor. And a challenge is something many paddlers crave.

Sea Kayak Carolina, my current favorite store and learning platform, had a strong presence at the Festival. And that fellow holding the Welsh Flag? That appears to be Nigel Dennis. Oh my...He helped me pick out a Celtic paddle. I met two great Nigels of the paddling world.

There was much color and play on the water. The view made me sad that I had only brought my water proof Nikon. Next year I'll bring a DSLR and really knock 'em out of the park.

You'll have to forgive me as these few photos are all about water, light, and color.

This is the first festival of any kind I have been to in years that allowed dogs. Charleston really impressed me as a dog lovers paradise. Can you hear the gears smoking in my brain? Well, the bugs are awful but the dog-friendly atmosphere might well make up for that.

More dog

There are two trailers here that piqued my interest. One was the Yakima system, which was light and would work well with my 'Ru. And the other was the "Sylvan Go Sport," a pop-up like trailer that offered a tent-system rather than a full on camper. Interesting.

And of course, more dog. This one watched me paddle up with a sad look on his face. Then he gently nudged his ball so that it dropped in the water as I took his picture. You should have seen me trying to retrieve his ball for him, from my tricky vixen boat. What a sweet old fellow!

Alright, more dog and more Subaru.

Have you ever seen a "Bellyak"? No? Me neither. Pete told me these have great potential to assist the physically challenged in getting on the water. Cool. But also, they look like they'd be a hoot at the beach. Kind of a cross between a boogie board and a sit-on-top.

More color, light, water, and movement.

Rolling lesson. Nah, don't mind the 'gators! They don't like all the fuss. Shy and retiring as they were, several paddlers who practiced rescues and rolls told me that the 'gators were on their minds during practice. I figure that just added a little real life urgency.

I know from reading a Scottish photographers blog that sails on kayaks are fairly common in the British Isles. However, am I the only one who thinks of Jimmy and his magic flute (H.R. Pufnstuf) where I look at this photo?

I am in dog heaven.

Just a view of the back canal next to the parking lot, where we launched daily. There was also an option to leave one's boat at the master class beach where they stored them behind a movable fence. I chose to use that after hauling my boat around the first day.

Interesting Hobie Craft that was wind and pedal driven. That's right, the person to the rear is pedaling like a recumbent cyclist.

Ah, my ride. My tricky vixen boat. I tend to think she is named "Dragon." And she is a bit of a snake. She was right at home amongst all the other high end boats crowding the masters beach. While there were a handful of Current Design boats, NDK, P&H, and Seaward were also well represented.  Nigel Foster used a Point 65N Whisky 16 which I came to fancy and am now on the prowl to acquire.

One of Nigel's "Fun with Foster" classes

What would all these pictures be without the ubiquitous selfie?

Nigel demonstrating one way of bracing for a turn that was new to me. Exciting stuff.

My last class of the festival was the "Long Boat Surfing" class. Here we are, Pete center, getting ready to launch off Folly Beach. Wahoo!!

Gent on the left in blue is "The Legend formerly known as Barry" Ok, enough with that joke. At the time it was funny. This Seaward Legend (white boat) was new to Barry. I watched him surf it very well. And I was quite smitten by its looks, as well. And then I found out it was also a Nigel Foster design. Oh_My_...I think I might be a fan-boi.

Not sure what's up with this. Either he is bailing the boat while next to it, or I caught the shot just as he braced too far on his side. Either way, the boat and paddler separated ways moments later. I mentioned the dolphins earlier and we did see several playing in the surf further out but, alas, I was unable to photograph them.

Mike, also from Toronto. His wife had a Subaru with more stickers on it than mine. Quite a feat! He gave me a sticker for their paddling business. I'll photograph it and post it with my next installment. These Toronto boys, Barry, Mike, and Declin were just a hoot. Very clearly on holiday and enjoying every minute.

Just a shot I really like.

Declin nudging a lost boat towards shore.

Declin back paddling in for a landing.

Nails it!

I posted this to facebook "the Oona-Bomber Rises," making a reference to my own nick-name that has more meaning to me than my given name. Indeed, the Celtic paddle and my Bomber spray deck remind me of my previous sport. I take some of it with me on the water every day.

I brought the 205 to 215 cm adjustable Celtic paddle with a 750 cm blade face home to the Lorax. He greeted it with great interest, and has used it with much enthusiasm. Dale Williams helped me pick it out for him. So far, a well-received gift, score.

And so this wraps up the photo segment of my festival experience. Next installment I will discuss each class and my take-aways. I'll also talk about which teacher I liked best and why.

Every teacher is a personal choice. I have really learned alot from Brian Stevens, my personal favorite. I took one last lesson from him a few days ago. I know there will be more lessons in the future but he'll be out of pocket for some months while he over-sees the building of his new home in North Carolina. He suggested I write down as much as I can remember about each class and I intend to use my blog for that. One more tidbit he has given me, write it all down, and sooner than I have done this time. And so I will.

Sea Kayak Surfing and Other Open Water Skills

Last weekend I went down to SeaKayak Carolina for the first time, in Charleston, for a Sea Kayak Surfing class. The instructor was Dale Williams, a well known surf kayak teacher. Brian and Pete were taking the class as well.

Saturday morning started out with a weather and locale briefing. Dale explained where we were going and why. This is where I found out that I had signed up for an ACA L5 course. Um. When Dale digressed for a moment I went back quickly to re-read the course announcement. Nope, no mention of L5. Way to go kiddo, dropped yourself right into the fire.

Lesson 1: next time I will *ask* what level is expected.

I had, with Brian's input, arranged to borrow this very nice Romany Surf for the class. Thanks for the loan Scott!

Mmmm, red and white, my fav boat colors too!

In the briefing room:

L to R: Dale Williams with chart of coast, Lee

These morning discussions of gear, weather, and navigation were fascinating to me. I am reading Gordon Brown's "Sea Kayaking" right now. Hoping it covers some of those topics but if not "the Sea Kayaker's Handbook" is next up and I might find more coverage there.

 Lesson 2: more to learn. I love learning, look how much more there is I need to learn! No wonder I like messing around with boats.

On the shore:

L to R Paul, Lee, Paul

Dawn aka "Sandy Bottom," Dale, Tom

Pete, Brian, Trey stretching

Heading out to the surf spot

We are just now beginning to find some waves but they aren't yet breaking or ridable

Wave rising up between us makes the first paddler look like a disembodied head

Now you can really tell we are getting into the waves

It was a few miles out to the surf spot. We rounded Fort Sumter and continued along the coast on to the right, south of the city. With the lighthouse as a landmark, down coast of us, we went out a few miles from shore to find swells. These were fast moving rollers that were hard to catch. I had many near misses or partials but got two really good rides in. Both times Dale was near me and was able to direct me on to the wave. These were both amazing rides-amazing for me anyway.

Brian pointed out tendrils of mist on the shore. Soon we had almost complete fog cover. The light house disappeared. Brian advised me what heading to look for on the compass if I had to bale and make my way back alone. I'd never paddled with a compass on the deck before, now I want one. Yeah, yeah, like all the other things I want, right?

Lesson 3 lean forward, 

Lesson 4 bring a short paddle with big blades, like the Werner CorryVrecken and paddle fast, 

Lesson 5 stay on the crest: My tendency is to lean back. Lean forward, paddle fast, let your boat settle on the crest of the wave. The boat is too long to ride down the face like a surfer on a board so the best spot for a sea kayak is right on top. Both bow and stern will be out of the water.

6th thing, let the boat turn a bit in one direction or the other as the ride is finishing. On the second wave this took me over the shoulder and now I was pointed right at the oncoming face of a similarly big wave. I didn't know what else to do so I charged right at and over it. Just as I got to the crest it started to break into my lap. I leaned forward and pushed hard, dropping neatly down the back of the wave. I repeated this maneuver several times. I enjoyed the doubt that I would make it over the wave before it broke, carrying me backwards into a reverse endo. Okay, I'm an adrenaline junkie. I already knew this.

Lunch time came and we pulled out on the beach. I botched the landing. Stuff went awry and I found myself broaching, then flipping, wet exit with really no room between me, the boat, and the sand. The already heavy Romany was full of water. Just as I got it up on the beach I coughed up some sea water and there was a perfect sand dollar nestled in the sand. Treasure. I'm okay, dry suit isn't full of water, I'm surprisingly warm. Lunch. I am not unhappy. I was a little glad I wasn't the only one who botched the landing or the take off. Better paddlers than I wiped out as well. 

We played around in the waves some more and then the long paddle back. My low point struck about 1.5 miles from our take-out. I was just on empty.

We debriefed in the parking lot and then off to the hotel for a shower. Then we went to the shop's open house, where we caught an hour long film about Dale's 2013 trip to Wales, and the NDK factory, among other things. Filmed mainly by Joe Campbell, and well edited by him, it was a blast. Just really really cool.

I slept like a rock.

Next morning, briefing, and then off to play in Elliott Cut. This is an entrance to Wappoo Creek, a place of truly fierce tidal currents. Rips really, as in "tide rips through." Here we practiced ferry glides, eddy hopping and turns, as well as peel outs.

While yesterday I felt very little fear and indeed felt well in my element, here I had doubts just putting in. The currents were ripping down stream at about 5 knots, while boat traffic was coming through without slowing down. The numerous docks and pilings, all encrusted with barnacles and other shells, made for dangerous obstacles. Always at the ready to grab your boat or paddle, these things suck mightily. 

Dawn, Paul, and Dale watching "Group A"  acclimating to the rip.

First group ferry gliding across to the first eddy. Look at those currents churning!

This was highly educational to me. I really got up close and personal with my need for better boat control. While the first day of class had been exciting and fun this second day of class was a stern reminder that I need to get my sh*t together. I would feel this class in my chest muscles the next day. And my brand new paddle left class somewhat worse for the wear. Thanks barnacles!

A good class, money well spent, that gave me tons to think about and ruminate over. Plus, I think I fell in love with Charleston; just like that, on the first date with the first kiss.