San Juan Canoe and Kayak Club

Real Women Eat all the Quiche They Want

2009-04-10T19:09:00.000-07:00

scroll down and turn off music in bottom red box first

Paddle Tattle

2009-03-31T20:08:00.000-07:00

You know it's gonna be a good paddle when Jose wears his Blue's Clues sleeve. No better omen than that. But my heart was already sky high from seeing Bonnie's bright white convertible pull up next to the net shed. She hobbled out and hugged us, letting us know it will be very, very soon when she can get back in the boat. Only a broken kneecap would keep her out. We stood around, warming up, when suddenly someone staked a claim as to what actually defines art, at which half of us circled closer and the other half stared patiently at the empty canoe waiting for us to get on with it.

Two old friends from Halpern's distinguished background paddled alongside us: Steve Bennett from Sound Rowers and Traci Cole from Women on Waves (WOW). I don't know much, but I do know that someday I wanna look that relaxed on the water. Traci paddled back and forth between boats for two hours, covering well over 8 miles looking more fluid and blissed out than an expert frosting a cake.

We turned left into the sun and it was so bright we had to paddle with our eyes shut. We're good at that; just ask Jane. We had to stop the boat to peel layers, that's how warm it was. Dan set a beautiful pace, steady enough to meditate by. Martha managed to schedule a board meeting in 2 minutes, something that usually takes 2 weeks of emails to accomplish. Ivan kept us safe from airplanes, pointing his nose from side to side, switching on the hut.

Becky's shoulder's almost better. She thinks of us every time she lifts a spoon. Denyse is coming back. Where's Rick? I haven't even seen him at the thrift store...

How about YOU? Where are you? If you're out there, wondering when to get back into the paddling groove...we miss you, too.

Halpern's Report

2009-03-09T07:22:00.000-07:00

RACE RESULTS FROM THIS WEEKEND: High winds and sub-freezing temperatures forced the race organizers to change the race course three times prior to the start of the race and once during it. The course at the start of the race sent us out nearly directly into three-foot rolling waves. After about 200 meters Amy and I were convincingly in the lead of the OC-2 boats and and in the midst of the small lead pack of the whole race. John Pachuta, paddling a single, was somewhere back in the crowd, but paddling with his usual focus. At what we later determined to be the exact same moment, John flipped his single and Amy and I flipped the double. It was like a car accident in some ways, dragging the event into slow-motion, but slowing your reaction time just a wee bit more, leaving you witness to your own delayed demise. I was on the off-ama side and could see it lifting, floating up for a long moment, just out of reach, indecisive at best, and then over we went. Flip the boat back, tuck under and pop up between the ama and the canoe, kick yourself up onto the boat, brace while Amy gets seated, and off we go, now looking at the backs of the entire field. Then comes the hard part. The waves that did us in are only bigger the further out we go, the wind has numbed my hands which are now solid and heavy as packed snow. I hold in that form, and wondering if I can thaw out enough on the downwind leg to manage the two complete laps left after this first one . . . . and only wondering that to keep myself from wondering if we'll manage this first lap without practicing our flipping technique over and over again. Theories that the ama on the OC-2 rides a little light are hereby confirmed.

Despite the challenging start, Amy and I managed to move back into the lead of the OC-2 class by the end of the first lap. John managed to complete the first lap without turning his biathlon into a triathlon, a better result than about half a dozen others who DNF'd. Amy and I pushed on, learning a little about wave-riding this long canoe with too small a rudder, learning that with the wind or with a side wind, a short high-tempo stroke rate worked better than the power-stroke that pulls you into the wind. Amy learned that when we're riding the waves, I'll use her hut and ho as a guide at best, switching sides only when the challenges of steering and wave immersion allow. And I learned that Amy will do what she needs to do, adjusting to whatever comes along and once in a while just laughing back at the waves because she can. Nice job Amy.

We were passing boats and gaining solidly on those ahead during our second lap when the they called the race. With only one short leg left when we were told, we made an aggressive effort to pass the only OC-2 ahead of us (a strong women's OC-2) and we managed to close their lead considerably, ending up just 9 seconds behind after being down more than a minute. It was a race with a lot of lessons buried in it, the best kind.

Congratulations to Amy and John for jobs well done in unusually tough conditions!
-David

new sticker

2009-03-03T22:32:00.000-08:00

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Becky Merges with the Big Water

2009-02-22T15:36:00.001-08:00

Success!! I got to paddle with the Keahou Canoe Club today!
This is of me in front of their boat house. I found out their location and paddle times when I went to the Polynesian Paddle Products (P3) paddle shop in Kona on Thursday. Their first workout is at 6:30am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. They go out again at 8:00am and maybe a third time after that if they have any takers. 6:30am? They paddle in the dark???? Oh yeah, WE paddle in the dark! And cold! But, I'm on vacation so I plan on the 8am paddle. My dad, John and the kids all went with me to watch me go out.

I wasn't sure what to expect, if they would be welcoming or hard-core and apathetic to visitors. (With about 300 members, there was some of both, but mostly the former.) I was excited to go and a bit nervous too. Would I be able to keep up with their workout? Their water seems a bit choppier than ours! Do they huli a lot? Then, what song should come on the radio but, "Everybody go surf! Oooooo-waaah-oooo! Everybody go surf!" Very good ju-ju!

It made me remember that it's all fun, and made me wish something awful that I could be sharing this experience with the rest of you! Apparently they are used to having visitors all the time and I would say that about 2/3 of the 8am paddlers were guests. They take everyone of all abilities and fill up as many canoes as they can. They were filling a V-12 first and initially I was queued for that (which would have been 'OK'), but then a whole SLEW of OC-6's came in. Whew! (Above picture shows their water traffic!) We got our boat together and I took seat 4. We were a mixed bag of skill, half club and half visitors. It took a bit to get our timing (me below in the green tank, seat 4. I'm really TRYING to keep my timing!)

We went about a mile, straight out. The wind was a light breeze and we were in swells of about 4-5 feet. What fun! Then, for an added treat, about another mile off, at 1 o'clock, breaching humpbacks! Wow.

We watched for about 10 minutes, then did a few zig-zags. The steersman called "paddles up". Then he said, "Now's a good time if anyone wants to go swimming!" It never occurred to me to go in the water ON PURPOSE! I just HAD to go in! The water was so blue, and so warm! I've never swam in the ocean like that! We paddled back in, racing another 6 (OUR mixed boat would have done circles around the two!) I won't describe the 'singles scene' in too much detail, out of courtesy to Dan, but... the assault on Omaha Beach comes to mind. This last photo is just a part of their fleet. A rather large tree fell recently, destroying 4 of their boats.
Best. Vacation. Ever!

Aloha! We're back in Kona!

2009-02-18T19:08:00.000-08:00

Saturday we spent the day in the park. We took a 4 mile hike down into Kilauea Iki ("Little Kilauea") Crater. This is off the larger crater and was formed by the eruption in 1959. We saw the Pu'u Loa Petroglyphs in one of the very old lava fields. In the evening we went down to see the area where the lava is flowing into the ocean. The viewing area is a few miles away, but at night, the glowing red flumes of steam are quite spectacular! Looking up to the hillside, one can see glittering orange and red spots where lava is making its way down the slope. It's such a treat to experience these things with the kids. Nature really is the ultimate playground and sometimes I really can see more and different things through their eyes.

This lava experience is of sharp contrast to my last visit, 19 years ago.
My dad and I took a 2 day trip over here from Kauai. That was during the fresh flows of the early 90's and you could practically walk up to stuff and poke it with a stick. Location is everything, I suppose, even with lava! Yesterday, I had my first banana. Yeah. Those yellow things they sell in the market? Those aren't bananas. Real bananas are about half the size and look like they're over-ripe when they're good. (These aren't as ugly as plantains). Forget TM. I reached the 4th level of human consciousness with just one of these little gems!
Today, we're going to the beach, go back to Kona Brewery for lunch, and a luau tonight. The timeshare place we are staying is very pleasant. It's an older complex. And by older, I mean the buildings were probably some of the first condos in Kona. Oh, and by older, I would also say it's the "Del Bocca Vista" of Kona. I just might join in with the 3pm Penuchle tourney tomorrow! It's all fun!
Photos:
1) Halema'uma'u Crater (Pele's residence)inside Kilauea Caldera
2) Kilauea Iki Crater floor
3) Inside the Volcano Visitors Center

Becky's Hawai'i High

2009-02-13T23:39:00.000-08:00

2.12.09
Kona
I hope the rest of you get well soon! I WAS feeling the crud this week; it's amazing what 85 degrees and a mai tai by the pool can do for a 'cold'. But if it's any consolation, you all may still do more paddling in the next 10 days than I will! "Ho hum, just another sh*tty day in paradise..."
2.13.09
So far, we've been lucky to find wireless hot spots, I can check my mail!
Today we took the Saddle Road to Hilo, visited the Mauna Loa Mac Nut Factory, went to a small zoo (What??!!? No Halpern Flip-books?) and saw a white Bengal tiger and some other beautiful animals, then went to Kilauea Crater and saw some steam vents. Then, we had just about the best Thai food EVER, here in Volcano Village! Tomorrow, we're going to soak up as much info as we can at the Visitor center and hike our little hearts out.
It doesn't look hopeful to get to see active lava flow, but, if I think of a suitable offering to Madame Pele then maybe she'll concede (just a
little!) Thai food again for dinner tomorrow. We'll try the "Thai Hot"
curry, then go try and find the lava glowing somewhere in the evening.
Ohhh, maybe the Red Curry for Pele? Happy Valentine's Day!

call for photos

2008-12-28T23:45:00.000-08:00

This picture's just in case any of us forgets what sunlight feels like, or tires of peeling ice from the canoe. Pull out your camera next time we're shivering in the wind under 5pm moonlight because when summer comes back around, we'll want to remember just how special that is.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2008-11-25T21:39:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is a time to think about what's important:

Our family and friends, our homes, our Island

... and PADDLING!!!

We are thankful for our Mother Club in Everett,

our beautiful boats

and for ALL of the Happy Paddlers!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Mahalo for your strength, courage, and perseverance.
Mahalo for your teamwork, traditions, and community.

Mahalo for your language, stories, and prayers.

Mahalo for your culture, healing, and wisdom.

Mahalo for your balance, understanding, and hope.

Mahalo for your hunger.It fills us.

-Amy Harold

Spend the day with people you care about.

Laugh.

Over-eat and plan to burn off the extra helpings
on Sunday.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL
- David

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-29T10:36:00.000-07:00

Photos by David Halpern

A glorious Autumn afternoon bid farewell to our final Kid's Paddle for the 2008 season! We had a princess, our favorite Star Wars characters, a dainty (yet strong!) Fraulein and a rock star! David brought tricks (his famous flip books) and treats (caramel corn)!

Clone Trooper-Commander Cody (Connor Dederich), Heidi (Amy Harold), Anakin Skywalker (Arlo Harold), Obi-Wan Kenobi (Orion Seaton), Corrections/Work Crew Supervisor (Dan Seaton), Jango Fett (Ian Volk), Clone Trooper-Lieutenant (Tyler Davis), Darth Vader (Geoffrey Volk) and Guitar Hero, Slash (Jordan Davis). Protected by Anakin, is Princess Inga!

Hui Wa'a O Puget Sound-North Samish '08--photos by Denyse Davis

2008-10-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

Denyse Davis, Becky Volk, Bonnie Stanger, Steve Bennett, Martha Isbister, Dan Seaton, Amy Harold

big debuts: Martha's first "behemoth" steer and Becky's first distance race

The boat yet to be: we still need one more female!

Salmon Row and Paddle V-12 (photos by Peter Dederich)

2008-09-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

"Uh oh! Uncle Butch, we're short one paddler!"
"Trevor, do you want in?"
"Nope!!"
"Okay...Connor, you want in?" Connor is standing under his father Peter who is snapping this picture at the very moment we all turn to see whether he'll say yes.
"Who, ME?????"

Ok, folks. Let's get in. We're outa' time. This is Sound Rowers, by God, and we know how to start a race on time!!! (Guess who said that...yes, it was Steve Bennett.)

Martha: "What do you want me to do?"
Whole team in unison: "STEER!"
(Notice her brave child Connor Dederich seizing the opportunity to be the youngest San Juan Islander to paddle a distance race.)

Around Lake Samish and here we come! Finish!
L to R: Dan Seaton, Christine Davis, Denyse Davis, Sandy Kuala, Amy Harold, Bonnie Stanger, Steve Bennett, Becky Volk, Connor Dederich, Butch Calivo, Martha Isbister, and Hal Lavinsky, all ready to eat the delicious Salmon BBQ!! If you could only see Becky's face--she was SOOO happy!! We all were.

PS. Budd Inlet pictures are here. Congratulations to David Halpern and Dan Seaton for finishing 1st and 2nd!!

Hatless Confidence

2008-09-14T14:13:00.000-07:00

My favorite paddling experience, bar none, is when canoes fight neck and neck, in the thick of deciding who will dominate. How I love bumping and near-misses, pitching against the rhythm of competitors' breath. I cherish their call and response as if it were coming from my own canoe. Their blood pulses with determination that matches ours every time we bring it up another notch. Thrill drives collective effort, effort drives individual abandon, and then comes the Universe: splashing cold salt water lit in silver speed high enough to taste.

Or is it the triumph in the eyes of someone who finished what they were never before brave enough to start? Facing the morbid dread on race morning together, hauling canoes to the shore, rubbing the sunscreen in hard to reach places, finding that last piece of advice, we prepare one another somehow for a physical experience that will demand more than we have. The green flag lifts, we labor, we cross the finish freshly born. Stronger.

Or is it the dreams? People from all walks of life (even the venues where I am weakest) standing on the starting line, cheering. So many people I know rooting for me. I sleep while they applaud. I wake up with their excitement new in my mind.

Here's three cheers to Martha Isbister who paddled 12 miles at breakneck speed for the first time ever. Here's to Bonnie Stanger who brought her 20 year-old paddle down out of the attic for yet another marvelous chance.
Here's to Dan Seaton whose every faithful stroke I tried my best to echo! Here's to Jose Domenech who didn't make it and was sorely missed. Here's to Dave Halpern who said he would have to quit coaching if we beat him. Ooops. Here's to Butch and Mary Calivo for being the Mother and Father. Here's to Stanley and Teresa Otsubo who take care of the canoes 24/7. Here's to Uncle Ray for the chili, and Joyce for the sushi. And here's to EVERYBODY for the work and the love.

PS. Wouldn't it be nice to have photos of sunny Mukilteo?

The Hat Race

2008-09-10T09:32:00.000-07:00

This is the crew from last year. Have you ever seen a happier bunch? There was a bulldog that ran under the boat just as this picture was taken. Remember that? We all laughed while the owner apologized. Tell Marty Robinson, Katie and Kenny Askew, and John Pachuta that it won't be the same without them! In fact, we might just have to go hatless Saturday.

Popcorn & a Movie

2008-09-01T10:45:00.000-07:00

Scroll down and turn off the blog music in the red box before you watch this Youtube video...unless your brain is like my husband's. (just kidding)

When you get to minute 1:05, you'll see mighty PNW Autumn Rose racing by in their white and turquoise jerseys. These girls are all under 16 years old! Then, at about 1:24, you'll see the PNW Senior Masters walking by with Sabine Jessel in front, leading them to the staging area for their next race. At 3:10, you'll get a glimpse of some v-12s.

Quite a few of you have asked, "When are we going to watch the video from Worlds?" Friday Sept 5th at 7pm right after the FHES Principal's Ice Cream Social. Drop in. Drink cammomile tea or coffee, whichever works for you.

For nice Tahitian music and photos, click here.

Ask me, "What is haka?" (I'd love to tell the story...)

Great Huli Drill

2008-08-29T14:23:00.000-07:00

Hi Paddlers,
That was a great huli (capsize) drill for a bunch of mostly first timers(myself included) I'm real proud of us all for braving that cold water and getting us all back in the boat lickedy split. Next time I know we'll get the boat upright without scooping so much water! (we'll be very motivated to keep the ama down until we're really ready)

Thanks for the great instruction, David, and kudos to Amy for her awesome steering and leadership. I'm sure both factors were why we could do it so easily and quickly. I wanted to recap for everyone what we did. Please correct anything if I made a mistake.

Although David reminds us it's not likely we'll capsize, that boat was surprisingly easy to flip when we were all leaning away from the ama. Something to always remember. I noticed that one of the clubs in Vancouver B.C (Kitsalano) has even modified their boats with a strap running between the iakos. They call it their ama brace strap and they all put their paddles on it and lean on it if needed. Interesting (and must be interesting conditions that bring that on)

The water was surprisingly cold, even in the lagoon... and it was COLD even though we had prepared for capsize with extra layers (fleece, paddling jackets, wetsuits, PFDs) It does take a moment or two to calm down and not distress....that's why it was essential to know exactly what we were supposed to do. It felt like we needed to get out of there right away (at least that was my first reaction! ) and I say this as a swimmer and someone who loves the water. It is definitely better to dress in non-cotton layers as we head into autumn, you never know when you're going to get spashed or even drenched. Although different people have different cold tolerances, this water will get all of us sooner rather than later and very quickly will make it hard to think straight or even physically function.

At the bottom, I've attached the websites that I sent out before with terminology, pictures of capsize recovery, etc. They are also on the blog. In case you don't go to those websites, here is the huli that we did in a nutsell including basic terminology.

The Pogue water sports huli drill site is really worth looking at ... the other site with diagrams is great, too.

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words!

Huli = capsize
Ama = the outrigger float
Iako = the wooden bar that connects the ama to the canoe, there are two iakos
muku = piece of the iako that extends out past the gunnel on the non-ama side

The steerer of the boat is calling the shots.

1. Capsize (hang on to your paddle!)

2. Pop up and count off by seat (1 is the bow, 6 is the steerer. MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS UP AND WE'RE ALL OKAY. Hang on to your paddle)

3. Get into position for recovery. Seats 2 and 5 are responsible for getting onto the mukus. Getting to that position from between the canoe and ama is best, using the iako for leverage. These seats will use their weight and arms to pull the iako up and over when the steerer calls it. Seats 3 and 4 will get to the outside of the ama to prepare for flipping back over. Seats 1 and 6 help with ama flip or collect paddles. Wait until the steerer calls the flip before you lift the ama or try to pull on the iakos.

4. The steerer calls the flip. Amy said "On 3: 1, 2, 3" and on 3 we give a big push up on the ama and seats 2 and 5 stand on the mukus and pull on the iakos at the same time. (Our mistake last night was we had the ama in the air before 3 and that caused the boat to scoop a lot of water. It took a long time to bail out.)

5. Bail like mad. Find your paddle, get back to shore and warm up. Make sure everyone is doing okay.

Here are the links:

Huli drill from Poguewatersports in Vancouver, B.C. Great pictures.
http://www.poguesports.com/pscc/paddlingsafety/hulirecovery.html

Ocean River Paddling Club (Victoria, B.C.) Safety Policies and Procedures including Huli drill
http://www.orspaddlingclub.com/downloads/orpc_policies.pdf

great diagrams on all the pieces and parts of outriggers plus A DIAGRAM OF HULI RECOVERY
http://www.box.net/shared/ptg21y2048

Happy trails, on the water and off....
Shannon

P.S. Click here to see pictures of Kikaha flipping.

Weekend at Shaw photos by Denyse Davis

2008-08-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

We need pictures to go with the update about Shaw! Anyone with pictures to share (Liz!) are invited to email them to Amy or Becky. We'll post them on the blog. Blackmail photos are always welcome.
"Wow, despite the rain, the Round Shaw Race Weekend was terrific. Those who missed it should INK it into their schedules for next year. We had a beautiful downwind paddle over to Shaw on Friday, much thanks owed to those not racing who helped us paddle over and back (of course, it was a pretty fun run with a few "surf's up!" opportunities.) The race itself was brilliantly done by Denyse, Jose, Dan, Steve (from the mainland club), Kenny, all taking me along for a smooth, determined ride with steady power all the way . . . and setting a course record for OC-6! Some may note with cynicism that this was the only OC-6 ever to run the course, and while that is true, the time was nonetheless impressive: 1 hour and 57 minutes.
While we were warming up, one of the faster kayakers shouted out that it would sure be impressive if we could keep that "warmup" pace up for the whole race. And so we did. Great GREAT job, everyone. Ongoing potlucks, campfire laughter and a weekend where Ivan didn't bite anyone made the event a perfect one. Thanks all - David"

Canoe Journey - Friday's Visit

2008-07-30T22:25:00.000-07:00

Amy had a great idea of making leis to give to our Canoe Visitors. Amy Wynn and Denyse Davis answered the call out to our club for spare blossoms! Thank you!!! (although Becky mitigated minor disappointment when she thought Denyse invited her over for "Chocolate Cosmos" - small misunderstanding!) Amy and Becky had a 2-woman lei party on Friday morning. Dan was sorry he missed out until they explained what actually took place!

We arrived back to Roche Harbor Friday evening with hot spaghetti and sauce, ready to feed a pack of, well, hungry paddlers, of course! We all took turns stirring pasta, keeping things warm while Dan and Craig watched. We worked well with our fellow Islanders from The Friends of the San Juans and really kept the dinner line moving. After dinner, we had our time to present our gifts and thanks to the steersmen of each of the 12 canoes. This was an experience our young club will embrace and carry forward: to look in the eyes of others who paddle. They paddle not for any other reason than because they were born to it. It is in them. It was an honor to have them accept our gifts and almost magical to share common ground with their traditions.

Our club thanks The Friends of the San Juans and especially Stephanie Buffum-Field for coordinating this event and inviting us to take part!

"Wait, is it boat or canoe?"

"...boatsImeanCANOES!!!" (Man, Seaton got schooled!)

The kids give the leis

Ooops, a flower fell off

Tyler Davis gives out a lei

Jordan Davis gives out a lei, too

Margie Patrick "leis one on" to Stephanie Buffum-Field of Friends

Ian Volk, Orion Seaton and Tyler Davis share the 'aloha' spirit

A pineapple for good luck

Puget Sound North gets to paddle!

(Abe Lincoln snagged us our 'invite'!)

"You guys are PULLERS! We'd already be there by now!"

Canoe Journey - Thursday's Visit

2008-07-30T21:43:00.000-07:00

Following Thursday's practice, we went out to Roche Harbor to the Community Potluck, welcoming the Native American Canoes. It was a substantial gathering with a smorgasbord of tasty dishes, complete with traditional BBQ dogs and burgers. We began the meal with the Tribal Elders leading the group in prayer. After our bellies were full, they launched a canoe and those paddling were included by special invitation. Here's David, Seat 4, "Ama side". How Cool!

"OK everyone, act like you like each other!"

(only one good actor in the bunch)

*Ah, nuts! I'm sure I'll get the hang of this at some point, Amy!*

Chronicle

2008-07-28T21:59:00.000-07:00

This is the back of my jersey. I hope everybody gets a good long look at it on the lake.
Do I look scared? The hardest part is leaving the kids' sunscreen out next to their sandals, hoping that it actually gets on them even though I'll be gone for 10 days. Or is it maybe knowing of course it will, and I'm not so indispensable after all. That must be why I found myself re-caulking the tub and sorting through doll stockings today.

If you can stand my fuzzy pictures, and if I can figure out how to load them from Stepbrother Jack's computer, I'll try chronicling. Feel free to say "Hi," "You can do it," or "Holy crap, whaddya do that for?" Just click on the comments button. The only reason I'm getting on that ferry tomorrow morning is because I told you I would. Otherwise, I'd chicken out. Oh, I guess there's another reason: paddling is fun.

Roseburg, OR
5:45am Atwell blessed my paddle
charms upon calm wood
Ben and I took turns holding it
How was practice?

Folsom, CA
7.31.08
flu shoots pains through arms, legs, back, neck
headache, stomachache
crashed in brother's guest bed..ahhhhhhh
(paddle under my pillow)
read Becky's entries, saw Stephanie's pictures
sweated happiness--THANK YOU!!!!!
Good luck on Huli Nite!!!
(don't forget your cameras)

8.1.08
Make New Friends but Keep the Old day

Ben with Denver friends Ken Lorig and Daniel Geisler

first practice on beautiful Natoma Lake
lanes perfectly straight, markers every few feet
like a lane line
water perfect; actually had to dodge swimmers
they tried me in stroke and seat 2, then seriously schooled me--I'll probably never be at the front of a boat again and am relieved about it
an inter-club canoe has six different cues for paddles up ("let her run" just never makes me want to stop...)

8.2.08

falling in love with these rudderless canoes
lane lines rock--wish life had those
folks are really starting to show up now
had a VERY short conversation in Italian
shook hands with a Tahitian...tried to get a picture but flustered (blush)

8.3.08
met up with teammates from Tricities
paddled HARD at practice (they are fast--I don't think I trained hard enough to keep up with them, but it's too late now)

out for pizza after the parade
they gave me a unity necklace

let's not go on and on about Tahiti
but they were so COOL during the parade with their chants and songs, must've been about 200--strong force, even on pavement
gives us all chills in Sacramento heat

a few more parade shots

Fiji

PNW-ORCA Miss Lummi Stommish Shirley Johnson

8.4.08
watched New Zealand practice
was so spellbound, couldn't run for my camera
would be a waste to try and capture how they move
pop, pop, pop, pop, pop at the start for about 100m (at least six switches)
then BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! for the rest until the turns, which are like rollercoasters, then back to pop, pop, pop at the end

conversed in French with paddlers at the outlet mall
who suggested a trade for my jersey avec le beau desin
they want to give me one of theirs
you'll never guess where they're from...
I suppose you'll know when I walk up
(it's not France)

my race schedule tomorrow is:
(put an "ish" on all these times)
11am 1500m Open Women V-6
1pm 1000m Master Women V-6
4pm 500m Open Women V-1

8.5.08

Here's Autumn Rose 16 & Under, our first race of the day
spoke French, dreamt French
(the loudspeaker is constant French all day long)
had one German conversation

paddling???!!! Oh you want to know about paddling...
1000m Master Women V-6 (Tricities +me) earned a repechage (means "speed up again" or do-over)
first single race went well--did not come in last but
dropped out of the pack in the last 200m.
let's call that good, because no one
checked their watches

keep sending the love; it works!!

8.6.08
PNW's new cheer: "Don't come in last!"
no other way to describe how fast these
Tahitians, Kiwis, and New Caledonians are
you gotta see it

broke my own singles record with a 2:56
did a happy hoot dance in front of the
results postings, crowd thought
they were watching The Price is Right

(photo by Gary Bertram)
had to change my flight because
two of my races have advanced
I'll be missing you so much at Shaw
darn it (but hooray)

spoke more German today than I have since 1993,
feels like shaking a third of my brain out

8.7.08
Happy Birthday Darling Husband!!!
the girls tell me you're the best
and how lucky I am
you bend the curve

focussed on video today and will continue to
get as much of that as I can because it'll be
good to have a medley of champion strokes to watch
when I get back home
let me know if you want to come over; I'll make popcorn

passed on the Devil's Club necklace
to a veteran paddler with Peruvian ancestors
also descended from Tahiti's king, he said
for once the French came out like a dream
and the love circled in four kapunas' kisses

(photo by Gary Bertram)
paddled in a v-12 with all the Autumn Rose women
who chanted Lummi and we went by the call
(hupdelelele) ONE! TWO! And somewhere out in the
middle something magic happened
and we dozen were one heart
fierce with war, paddles chugging like a
freight train crossed with
a herd of wild stallions charging, water
thumping under our hooves
mightiest corporeal fusion I've ever felt
and we advanced to the finals
we'll be racing for medals on Saturday

8.8.08

raced 500m MW v-6 repechage
raced 1000m MW v-6 repechage
advanced to semi-finals
came in 8th place
we're gr8
fell asleep three times during dinner

8.9.08
one last race
my favorite
v-12 OW 500m FINAL
then I'm coming home
if you see my Mother-in-law Vonnie
give her a clap on the back
for making gluten-dairy-soy-free dinners
and holding babies every time I was at sea
she's the champion

Mahalo

2008-07-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

Journey paddlers bring sacred breath across the water. On every shore they share this breath. If we breathe it in where we too are sacred, our joined breath is gratitude: Mahalo.

Mahalo for your strength, courage, and perseverance.
Mahalo for your teamwork, traditions, and community.
Mahalo for your language, stories, and prayers.
Mahalo for your culture, healing, and wisdom.
Mahalo for your balance, understanding, and hope.
Mahalo for your hunger.
It fills us.

Paddler's Welcome

2008-07-06T09:05:00.000-07:00

Stephanie Buffum of the Friends of the San Juans has asked whether our club would be interested in paddling alongside these eight tribal nations on their way across the Haro Strait. We've also been asked to host a meal for them on their rest day, July 25th. Be sure and let Halpern know soon what you'd like to do for these honored paddlers!!!!

Here's what's already underway through the Friends:

Welcome Dinner
Thurs. July 24th
7 p.m.
Roche Harbor
Grassy picnic Area
(near the pool)

Bring a dish
to share

SJI Welcome Dinner for Lummi Nation, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Tulalip Tribes, Sammish Indian Nation, Nooksack Nation, Suquamish Tribes traveling through our area July 24-26 to Cowichan, BC.

This event is free and open to the public!

ABOUT THE CANOE JOURNEY – The Canoe Journey is filled with ceremony symbolic of ancient times when one nation would travel into the territory of another, reminding us of the importance of the sharing of culture and respect for Indigenous people all over the world. The journeys involve visits with Indian and non native hosts.

The Journey provides an excellent setting for strength and self-reliance, balanced with interdependence in a drug free environment. The movement has grown to become a major force in positively influencing many lives. As many as 80 ocean-going canoes, from a variety of canoe cultures and nations, will make the final destination to Cowichan, B.C. Canada (near Duncan). The end of the Journey marks the beginning of the 2008 Indigenous Games in Cowichan.

WANT TO HELP? Call 378-2319
• Escort boats for Haro Strait crossing Sat. July 26th (depart Roche 8am).
• Donations - ferry tickets for ground crew travel.
• Help with meals.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Call FRIENDS of the San Juans 378-2319

Post-Parade photos by Shannon Calverly

2008-07-06T08:24:00.001-07:00

Didya wonder how we got the boat in the water after the parade?

It actually worked! We only tried it because we owed Halpern two weeks. Now we might owe him a third.

Aloha Fourth of July!!!

Parade Parade

2008-07-04T23:11:00.000-07:00

gold inside and out

bringing aloha to the islands

Pre-Parade photos by Becky Volk

2008-07-03T23:11:00.000-07:00

Imua!!
It's working...it's working!!

Yo, Dude, which way is the water?

Burgess guns it on the hills (played to Rocky's Theme) yes--we're jogging

Uni! Kahi! Out!!!