This last week at Keeners

I have had the most amazing week ever. It was ram-pack-jamed with adrenaline pumping rapids, awsome instructors, great fellow Keeners and an insane trip to the Black River in Watertown, NY. I got to know a lot of the Keeners really well, and it was very interesting to see what they could pull-off in a wave. I learned a lot from them. I remember our first night in Watertown. We ate dinner at The Cracker Barrel. I looked over at Nicole's Chicken BLT and it was leaking mayo'. Everyone was sick afterwards. The competition was very interesting. Me and Tamara had a tie-breaker for 6th place. Everybody did very well. Everyone accomplished at least 1 of their goals. It felt good to get back to Keenerville and sleep on a mattress. The water level was high all summer, so when we found out that the level dropped to 2, everyone was so bummed. When I get back home I'm going to miss everyone so much. I'm going to be sitting in school wishing I was on th Ottawa.

Can't wait to paddle tomorrow,
-Jessica Droujko

Hey keeners, this is my 3rd and final week as a keener. Over the past 3 weeks i have learned a lot, about boating skills, river life, and rivers in general. my favorite skills i have learned were in the First Aid and SRT courses. we learned everything from cpr, to how to get out of a PFD when you are pinned under water. last week we drove to New York for a competition on the Black River, it was the first competition as a kayaker... i learned a lot about the pressure of a comp but was very happy to place 10th! this is my first keener experience, and will sadly be my last as a keener, because next year i will be to old to participate as a keener. however i plan to return to the Ottawa to play, and hopefully some day work at WT.

Keener Hot Meal- Egg in a whole

first preset you burner on high, and warm up a skillet. then take a slice of bread, and punch a whole in it with the top of a jar. heat the bread on the skillet with a little butter. while the bread is sill on the skillet crack an egg and pore it inside the whole. cook this side until the yolk is a fairly thick consistency, then flip the yolk and do the same. now enjoy

-duncan marsh

Three Weeks and the Black

Well well well where do I start..... Firstly I would like to thank Joe and everyone who works for WT. I am really happy that I listened to my brother and came and do the course with the Keeners. For me this was a life changing experience coming all the way from a small little green island everyone calls Ireland. It was a great chance to finally see what my brother has been doing here for the last 6 years. I loved meeting new people and getting to know them. Well one thing I really liked was that how much support you can get of the fellow Keeners which i think really helped a lot.

The Black river was really fun and I had a blast. It was a BEAST. My face in the picture is pritty funny because it is my last breath im goin to get before fliping haha.....

It was great fun boys and girls I couldn't have done it without any of you.
Thanks a million....... Kevin Kelleher.

P.S. This week i am hopoing to go to the gatineau river for high tension, its a sweet wave I have been told. BEAST

black river weekend

Well here is my first and last blog of the keener year! Just got back from the black river after a wonderful weekend of kayaking. It was my first ever competition and i loved it. Didn't make the top ten but that leads to be just more determined for the next competition. It has been an awesome summer so far at keeners with one week left.

see you on the river.

leighton

this is my last week, but I'm coming back next year. I've had a great time. i don't have any good pics to post at the moment but I'll try to get some. I've gotten so much better at kayaking during the past 2.5 weeks. I dont have anything more to say at the moment but I'll try to write some more posts soon.

Jacob

Keener Hygyine

Hey everbody this is Jamie Rosenberger and im here to tell you about keener hygine, it is always best to take a shower at least once a day, take good care of year feet washing them and keeping htem dry after the river. Alex chalhorn is a goood example of sombody who didnt wash her feet and everyboady could smeel her feet in the van. so keeep goood care of your feet it is the most important part of keen hygine

Hey the black river this past weekend was a blast. This my 4th summer boatin and my 2nd summer competing. Iwas happy with my finish in 5th place out of 18. I was 1 point behind 4th place. This week i am hopoing to go to the gatineau river for high tension, its a sweet wave

Talk to everyone at a later date
Kalob Grady

The Black

The trip to the Black river was pretty amazing. We left on Thursday afternoon, and came back on the Sunday. We camped out in the local camping ground. And ate together each night, which gave the whole trip a nice atmosphere. The river was super fun to run it had nice long wave trains, willie kern showed us the lines on the Friday and I got stuck in a hole and got the beat down of my LIFE, OMG lol..... and I swam. I really enjoyed competing with my firends, its so nice to have a non competitive atmosphere amongst friends in teh eddy, oh and I came 2nd. I wish there was more than a week left in keeners, it feels like it ahs all gone to quick.... Nicole

Blueberry Pancakes

This weekend we took a trip down to the black river for a rodeo and some good food at the cracker barrel.  the rodeo was fun, i ended up taking third, but the best part of the trip were the blueberry pancakes at the cracker barrel.  once we came back, after enjoying another of WT's finest meals, I spent the entire night puking my brains out, wishing that we had some more of those delicious blueberry pancakes.  I also just want to say thanks to kyle's mom and jamie's dad for helping out around here and making us more good food.  You can check out photos at micksgraphics.com

Quinn

Black River Challenge

Hi everyone,

The Black River Challenge was my first ever kayaking competition, and only after 2 weeks in a boat. I achieved my goals of staying in my boat and at least catching the wave, leaving me with a whopping ZERO points. That aside, I had a lot of fun on the river and will hopefully have some tricks ready for the next competition.

-Jonathan

the black

The black river was a great experience for me as a new kayaker. Even tough I didn't run the whole river I had a great experience. The blackwater challenge was my first competition. I think I did well, scoring 2 points...which would have given me a silver medal if I was in the women's category.

-Peter

good to be back

I feel like I'm home now after being in New York for the weekend at the Blackwater Festival. The trip was super fun and I definately will go back and run the river again. I got used to the warm city weather in watertown and now being back at Keenerville is really cold. the water level dropped while we were away and now some of the low level play is coming in. sadly this is the last week of keeners for everyone this summer. My 3 weeks were super fun. Way more fun than going to back to school, which i am missing the 1st 3 days of to stay here in canada.

soon to be mising the ottawa - graham

Black River Challenge

Hey Everyone,

This past weekend we took a trip to the Black River N.Y state. Although the river may seem small, the keeners got a look at the huge white water down stream as we ran the river on friday. After we ran the river on friday we preacticed on hole brothers for our competition that was held on both saturday and sunday. The trip was really fun being able to spend time on another river and competeing. On saturday I placed first going into the finals and than placed first in finals on sunday. I am very pleased with my results and can not wait till the the Canada cup here on the Ottawa river this weekend coming up.

Alex

Running the Black River

Friday morring we met up with Willlie Kern to run the river he talked to the local raft company to fined out what are the best lines and the things to watch out for. We put on the river about 10am at Hole Bros played there for a bit and then headed down we stoped on an island befour the first rapid to talk about signals and how to paddle a new river that u haven't done befour. When we got to the first rapid (Knifes Edge) we all got out and souted it the was a nice clean right line where you stick to the right shore the hole rapid and the other line was to surf the top left wave and when u flush stay right tell after you pass the first hole then book it hard right to miss the nastest hole on the river called Marys Hole. Next we had to walk a dam and into a cayon the conyon we alot easyer then we exspected there was a coupel steep rapids and then a 1/4 mile wave train the best i have ever seen.

Watertown comp

hey everyone this kyle fresh back from the blackwater challenge in watertown New York. the comp was held on Hole Bros due to the high water levels which made it a wave. the standings for the Jrs were Devyn scott 1st by one point , i got second and Quinn got third. the comp was fun the keeners judged, Djed, and organized the event. well got to go train for the next leg of the event here on the ottawa.

Peace

Kyle Hull

Farewell

Hi Everyone,

Or should i say goodbye. Either one could begin this blog. I have had a wonderful time here at keeners, and I am going to miss it dearly. Everyday on one of the most amazing rivers in the world, paddling with some of the best kayakers, and making great friends is something that does not often happen all at one time. I learned so much including swift water rescue, first aid/cpr, how to stay on the wave, what to do during a competition, and how to handle big whitewater. Another awesome and unique experience I was fortunate enough to be able to paddle with the legendary Willie Kern. He is one of the most amazing paddlers, instructors, and an all around great guy. I am so sad that am not going to be going to the Black River with keeners and Willie. But I know that during school on Friday I will most likely burst out in tears  because I am not with the Keeners. 

I want to thank Joe for keeping the incredible program alive and growing. I will treasure my time at keeners forever. I want to thank all of my instructors which include, Stephen Wright, Joel Kowalski, Nick Troutman, Phil, Pikey, Willie Kern, Moe kelleher, and Rafael Ortiz. All of you have helped me become a better kayaker in so many ways. I also want to thank Stacey for being a wonderful keener mom and putting up with all of us. And finally thanks to all of the keeners I got to meet and spend time with  (even if you make fun of my southern accent), and Katie who was the coolest roomie ever!!

Love Y'all!!!!

Palmer

Goodbye

This past week was a great way to end off my stay at keeners.  Thanks to the great instruction of Pikey, Moe, Willie, and Joel, I achieved both of my week goals - airscrews and split wheels - and more.  My first day at keeners I was disappointed to learn that I just missed bussy by a week.  It was a miracle that it came back in on my last day, because I had some of the best surfs of my life there.  I had an amazing time these last four weeks and  hope to come back next year.

Jeremy

Max Chmielinski- Week 3 and Farewell

This program has brought me to a whole new level of kayaking. I not only improved my paddling skills exponentially, I have also acquired a set of skills pertaining to but not directly involved with moving the boat from one pool of water to another down the river. First and foremost I have learned how to take good pictures. Many of the Blogs other people wrote have pictures that I took. These include Tracy's run of Lucifers, Alex's Clean Run on Elevator shaft (Video), and Jeremy and Jackson's idiotic but awesome party surf on Big Kahuna. Next but not quite as fun, I learned safety through painful 6 hour classes. It was only painful because I knew that the rest of the group was having a blast somewhere on the main. The payoff was decent however; as I feel a lot more confident in my ability to take others, especially beginners, down river. Finally I learned tricks. I am one of very few people (hopefully one of a kind) who can say they pulled off their very first loop on Bus Eater. I had many near successes at 7-8 hole but never achieved full rotation. I have to thank Nick Troutman for my kickflips, roundhouses, and the "occasional" blunts. I can't wait to see how my skill set handles the Gauley in 4 weeks. This program works. I wish I could take one more year. Sadly I have to say goodbye as I turn 18 in April 2009.

Saying goodbye

Hey guys,

It is a little late for my last blog considering I am already at home, but the internet was not working the day before I left so here goes. I had an amazing time at keeners. It was an awesome experience. Getting to repel 140 feet, paddle the Gatineau, run anvil falls and garvin's rapid...so many challenging and fun experiences. I am so thankful to all the keeners who I paddled with for three weeks; they were all really nice and made the Keener experience complete. I will miss all of them.

However, I will be back up on the Ottawa in 2 1/2 weeks to attend New River Academy, so my time on the Ottawa river is not over for this year. I cannot wait to see Alex and Katie and such when I return. Crossing my fingers the bus eater is still in...

Speaking of which, I am so annoyed that bus eater came in the day before I left. I hope that all the new Keeners are getting to rip it up.

Huck it big for me

xo Tracy d'Arbeloff

KEENER AWARDS SESSION 2

The votes have cast and counted. Let the drum roll begin…The envelope please.

KEENER OF THE YEAR (on the river) Jason
Honorable Mentions: Cameron, Zach, Jeremy

KEENER OF THE YEAR (off the river) Jackson N from Alabama
Honorable Mentions: Teresa, Ethan, Palmer, Miles, Sean, Tracey, Jeremy

SENIOR KEENER OF THE YEAR (on the river) Kyle
Honorable Mentions: Taylor, Nelson, Stephen

SENIOR KEENER OF THE YEAR (off the river) Taylor
Honorable Mentions: Alex. Kyle, Jeremy, Nelson, Stephen

FAVORITE GUEST INSTRUCTOR Tino
Honorable Mentions: Dave H, Willie, Clay

BIGGEST THRASHING Alexandra
Honorable Mentions: Nicole, Miles, Ethan, Palmer

MOST IMPROVED Zach
Honorable Mentions: Sean, Alex A, Teresa, Josh,

MOST OBSESSED PADDLER Cameron
Honorable Mentions: Kyle, Taylor, Max, Jason, Josh

LONGEST TIME UNDERWATER Palmer
Honorable Mentions: Taylor

FAVORITE MEAL Poutine
Honorable Mentions: Lasagna, 3 bean chili, steak

BEST SPEECH GIVER Jackson C
Honorable Mentions: Kyle, Taylor, Max, Stephen, Alexandra

MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE Gatineau
Honorable Mentions: Dragon’s Tongue, Lucifer’s, Max’s boat in a tree

Jackson's Blog

Hey Guys,
It was a great last week. The best part was by far Friday when Buseater came in. We were all so happy when we woke up and saw the gauge. We stayed at Buseater the entire day. My first time to drop in it was a little bit intimidating, but after that it was all fun. It was the coolest thing I had ever done. My favorite part was when you get to the top of the wave and then bounce like 5 times all the way down. It was a great day and my playboating skills really improved. I also got to try using the rope to get on it. It was kind of hard but made things a lot easier.

After a hard days work on Busy we took out at the lunch site which is right next to Buseater. We all went to bed praying the level would stay up. I got up at 7:00 hoping to beat the lines for this famous wave. So me and two of my other friends got some breakfast and headed down. We got a few good surfs in before the line got too bad. I also mastered using the rope. I had a great time surfing Busy all day. It was an amazing ending to the awesome keener program. Hope to be back next year.
Jackson

buseater pics

This last week has been really sweet with all the cool things that happened. Whirlpool rides at butchers knife were scary and cool at the same time with 10 second rides happening. Also we finished swiftwater certification. Also the water lever went up and a really cool wave came in and we went there all day friday.
Kurt

friday was possibly the worst/best day of my stay on the ottowa river. i would consider it the best day because as unbelievable as it may sound the level went up to 14and buseater came back in. now for those of you who don't know what buseater is, it is unargueably the best wave on the river. friday was also the worst day because it was the last day i would be kayaking on this wonderful river. i hope to come back next year hopefully for a longer period. its been a wonderful experience up here but i'm glad to be going back home to see my family.

josh

extra week and BE

so yesterday was amazing and all i did the whole day was surf a wave 7 times but the quality of this wave was so high that it didn't matter... 14 1/2

Zach's 3rd week

This week was my last week. It was awesome, we had willy kurn as guest instructors. I swam for the 3rd time since Keeners in Swimmers Hole at Coliseum, it was a fun surf tile I started to window shade. Big Water Thursday was sick, the water level was at 10 1\2 we surfed Phills Hole, punched Busy and we surfed Big Kahuna. Amasingly on friday Bus Eater was in and we spent the whole day ther. Zachary zwanenburg.

Life after Keeners 2008

I had a fantastic time with the Keener Program during July, and was sad to leave.  I enjoyed the opportunity to meet and paddle with many new students as well as old friends.  It was great to get to work with other incredible instructors like Moe Kel

leher, Nick Troutman, Joel Kowalski, Rafa Ortiz, Eric Jackson, Ryan Whetung, and everyone else.  It was also a pleasure to get to be on Buseater in the middle of July!!!

   Anyway, I've been in Reno/Cali for the past week and a half spending time with my girlfriend and training freestyle in the Reno park and on the SF American.  I had the opportunity to get on a super fun Sierra Creek and thought I'd send a few photos.  Enjoy!  Now it's off to Europe to try to win the World Cup!!!

Stephen Wright

Head Coach

Elevator Shaft - Clean Run

This is the rapid called "Elevator Shaft." I (Alex Anderson) am running this on the main line.

Ropes and Knots !

Keeners become the world's best paddlers capable of running the most insane rivers. However, there comes a time in every paddlers life when they encounter a drop bigger than what they can handle. When that time comes a Keener needs to be ready to rappel around if there is no alternative. To prepare Keeners, WT's top vertical guy, Greg Arminen, teaches rope, knots and rappelling every Wednesday evening. This is what it looks like!

- katie k :) 

2nd week at Keener

Hey its cameron and its my 2nd week on the ottawa
some of the major things ive been dealing with this week are muscles soreness, not pushing myself too much, hand roll and bow stalling (both of which maybe because of switching boats). my hand roll is very erratic and i have a great hand roll some days and can't hand roll at all some days. however, this week i got a hold on my nerves and started building confidence on the river. My goal was to run dtongue and on the 2nd day i did without scouting because the past times i scouted i got scared. i did fine and it gave me a confidence boost not to the point where i think im invincible but that i can run things with high risk or intimidating factors with in my skill level and come out fine. a good reminder of of the dangers of the river was on wednesday alex had to be evacuated off the river on a backboard and now has 2 hereniated disks in her spine even showing that you don't have to hit a rock to hurt your self. i bought some food today and protein bars which will hopefully help with my sore shoulders. mainly i need to stay injury free so that i can maximize my paddling time

Zach's 2nd week

This week was awesome. We had Joel, Nick, Clay, Pikey and Moe as instructors. The water levels have been crazy and we got a lot of rain, but other then that it's been a lot of fun. The weekly rodeos and races have been grate, I placed 5th(at 7-8 hole) with 90 points in the A class this week and 3rd in the race.
This weeks trip to the Gatineau was super, sadly High Tension was not in but Lusiphers was amazing.

Next weeks goal is to surf Big Kahuna and perfect my flat water loop.

Zachary zwanenburg.

the gatineau

Hey guys.
This past week has once again been filled with fun whitewater and amazing playboating. The highlite of this past week came in the form of a rode trip to the distint Gatineau river in Quebec. After leaving Keenerville at 6:30 and having a nice brekfast at WT, we departed on the long two hour drive over to Gatinaeu. Once we got there, we were enthused at the presince of the almighty Lucifer's Anus, and we all enthusasticlly went and plugged it. I was very succesful and it made me feel really good. After spending an hour or twat Lucifer's we continued on down the rest of the river, and enjoyed the nice wave tranes down the rest of the river. The only disappointing part of the trip was that it was two high for high tension, so that was a disappointment, but it was overshadoed by the all fun we all had. Overall, the last week has precented itself with fun times and valyable lessons, and I'm looking foreward to 1 more week on the Ottowa river.
Ethan

Tracy's thoughts on kayaking...

A lot of people have asked me why I love kayaking. There are so many answers that I have no problem listing reasons. Then comes the "aren't you scaredof the big water?" This is a harder question to answer. I always respond with yes (much to the confusion of the asker). On a trip to the Gatineau River this past week, I had to face down Lucifer's Anus, a massive hole around 17 feet high. It made me think of the "aren't you scared" question, and I realized something as I was paddling out to run Lucifer's for the first time. A lot of times when kayaking out into a new/hard rapid, everything in my mind is screaming at me to turn and flee, to not die. But you keep pushing yourself, ignoring that terrified voice inside you. Your heart is beating so fast, and your hands are shaking, but when you hit your line perfectly, when you make it through a 17 foot hole...the feeling is...indescribable. It is why I continue to push my limits. It is partly why I love kayaking...that feeling, you know? So I guess a more complete answer to the scared question is yes, kayaking terrifies me, but that is partly why I love it, partly why it is so addicting and rewarding. Kayaking is definitaly not for the weak hearted...

-Tracy d'Arbeloff

seans blog

hey guys this was my 2nd week as a keener it was awesome. this photo was taken of me surfing angles kiss last week. This week i was in a green all star witch was much better for tricks, it was a crazy week and on Wednesday i was of the river nursing a ear infection it realy sucked because i missed boater cross , however it was worth it for the next day my ear was better and i got to go to the Gat in Quebec for big water beet down thursday. high tension was not in (so sad) but lusiferes was amazing, friday was good we had SRT in the morning and had to practice with throw ropes, and had our weekly rodeo at 7-8 hole i had some good surfes but my stern kept cathing on the hole and my spins were not counted. all in all it was a awesome week and it makes me sad that i only have one more week here before i must leave.

this was sean

Hey Guys
Whats going on? Im having so much fun at Keeners and i made a video to show hom much fun im having. Its wicked good and shows off the asmazing talent of 20% of our group. Hope you like my video. PS Im growing what could be called one of the greatest beards ever. Ill include a picture on Next weeks blog.

Yours Untruley, Mr. Taylor Wicks (Lucious)

Gatineau River with Jason

On Thursday morning we woke up at 6:30, loaded in the vans and drove to the Gatineau River in hopes of High Tension wave. After a short and sleepy two hour drive we arrived to find the water was nearly flooding. We were stoked to find that Lucifer's was huge and awesome! The top had a sweet wave that was great for every move. Then the bottom of the rapid had a HUGE wave with a massive hole to the side. The wave was green and huge but fed into a huge hole so I didn't surf it but some of the boys did. It was awesome. Later we headed down the river in hopes of High Tension. It was not in but the rest of the rapids were huge. This river is so beautiful with big granite walls and green water. We finished the run with all smiles and headed to town to get some classic poutine. It was my first time eating poutine, yum.
Jason Craig

The Gat

Hey everyone this is Kyle hull. just last week the keeners and i went to the Gat and it was huge. the level was about 28 and we stayed at Lucifers Anus for about 2 hours. pity was a pity that Irish Dave waas not there because he would have gone big but Troutman was there and he was going huge and sowas Dane Jackson , Jason Craig, Pikey and iwas going big too. well cant wait for next week

Kyle Hull

The Gatineau Trip

This past week the keeners took a trip to the Gatineau river, which turned out to be amazing. One could not close to imagining the size of the first rapid Lucifer's, and the 18 foot wave which towered in the middle of it, Lucifer's Anus. The Gatineau also had man other great rapids such as high tension which at some levels is supposed to be a great wave. Overall the Gatineau was a great trip and change from the Ottawa, with some grate rapids and big water.

Ian

Keener group photo taken last week

Kurts Blog

Hello, this is Gigantor. This past week has had a lot of stuff going on. Monday and Tuesday was just working on tricks with Joel and the other instructors. Then on Wednesday there was a boater cross race at the lorne, and coliseum. I managed to get second in both heats. Then on Thursday we took a trip to the Gatineau, i had been there before when it was high, but not 28.5 Lucifers was a huge standing wave and high tension was just a green wave. On Friday we had our weekly competition and I got 0 points, but later that night I hit my first loop in the superstar all in all it was pretty good week.

Jeremy's Blog

Hey everyone, this last week was full of events which will definately make good memories. Thanks to our instructors Nick, Clay, Moe, and Joel I learned a bunch of new things about scouting, river running, and a bunch of new playboating skills. Wednesday all the keeners participated in the boater-cross on the Lorne. At the finals at Collie, after missing the first gate, I decided that I may as well surf Big Kahuna. Once being hit by a yellow boat, I came to the realization that I was party surfing one of the biggest waves on the ottawa with Jackson (who later got his face cut during another party surf). Our river trip to the Gatineau was also an amazing trip, where i ran some of the biggest water i have ever paddled. Hope next week was as memorable as the last. Jeremy

Week 2 -- Teresa Logue Photo

Week 2 -- Teresa Logue

Hey, everyone, Teresa here. I've just finished my 2nd week this year as a Keener -- and boy, was it fantastic.

I started off the week taking 2 days off from paddling, along with Palmer, to rest and then go to Renvew Hospital because of an ear infection. But, after carefully administering antibiotics, the infection has faded, and my left ear feels fine. Wednesday, I had loads of fun paddling the Main, though I was totally worked at Colliseum. On Thursday the group took a trip to a nearby river, the Gatineau. The Gat had lots of super fun rapids and tons of big water. It was truely a "Big Water Thursday". I especially enjoyed running the rapid with the giant hole "Lucifer's Anus" -- it was super scary, but an incredible thrill at the same time! Friday was play boating competition day, as always, and I learned loads practicing at 7-8 hole.

I'm eagerly anticipating next week, my final week as a Keener for this year. I expect to again have loads of fun and learn lots more about paddling!

^_^.
Teresa.

2nd Week of Keeners

Hey guys,
I am having so much fun here at Keeners!! We got to go to the Gatineau River on Thursday; it was so much fun. There is this one huge wave called lucifer's anus that was the best rapid on the river. I kept re-running lucifer's, it was so much fun! I wish there were rapids and rivers in the southeast that are as good as the rivers up here. I have learned so much more and I have become even more confident on the river. Another plus is that I get to stay an extra week after this upcoming one!!! I cannot wait!!! I am having the best time of my life!!!
Palmer

hey its my second week at keenerville. this week has been fun and exciting, as well as a great learning experience. this week i learned how to pan am and i'm very close to doing a phonix monkey all i need to perfect is the transition from pirouette into a loop. it was fun to have the jacksons and nick troutman here to help us learn. we went to the gatineau on thursday. the level was about 26 so it was a little high for high tension but it was high enough that lucifers anus became a massive wave. the competition on friday was at 7-8 hole which is a nice playhole where you can throw almost any move.

josh

Kayaking Injuries

Hi everyone my name is Alex Shallhorn and paddling is my passion. The week that just past was my third week as a keener. This week was different for me than the other weeks of being a keener. I unfortunatly hurt my back really bad this week doing boater cross on the Main chanel. We had boater cross on the Lauren rapid down the little chute on the left hand side. I dont know how it happened but I got to far right and went into a really boily spot where the Moby Dick rock usually is. I flipped there and it took me a few tries to get my role which is unusual for me, and some point trying to role 2 discs in my back slide. I have had a bad back for a little while now so that was just the breaking point of it. It hurt a lot, but I am mostly upset of not being able to paddle for a little while. My back is doing a lot better now though and I am hoping to paddle this week coming up. When people start kayaking in the back of their mind they know that paddling can be a dangerous sport and it does have consenquenses, but that is what makes the sport. When you kayak you get the best feeling in the world because of the adreniline rush you get. I did get hurt, but I knew that was bound to happen one time or another in my kayaking career. I am just happy that I will be able to kayak again this summer and that I am not out for the season. I love kayaking and it is deffnitly worth the consequenses that come with it!

-Alex

Alex's Blog

Hi this is Alex,

This is the end of my second week and im super pumped for my last week! This week I've learned how to roundhouse and loop. I also ran iron ring for the first time and we did a trip to the Gatineau and saw son BIG waves. Unfortunately High Tension wasn't in. This is a photo of the eddy line for Angel's Kiss.

Jackson's Blog

Hey guys,
This week of keeners was amazing. My favorite part of the week was when we went to the Gat. It is such a cool river. My favorite rapid was one called Lucifer's. There is a video of me running below. After running the river we went to a restaurant in Quebec. I got to have one of there delicacies called Poutine. It sounds disgusting but it is actually really good. It is a bowl of French fries with grave and cheese curds on them. I also had the best vanilla ice cream I have ever had. Another highlight of my week was racing Wednesday. I got first in my heat and moved on to finals. The finals race was on Coliseum, the biggest rapid on the main channel. The gate you had to touch was in an eddy in the top of the rapid. It was pretty hard to catch so Jeremy and I missed it, and it put both of us way off line. We both got resurfed in Big Kahuna, the first and biggest wave on Colisuem. It was so out of Control I didn't even realize what was going on, until I saw a blur of orange in the corner of my eye and banged into Jeremy's boat. We ended up party surfing this huge wave. We both got disqualified for not touching the gate but it was still very fun. The level has dropped to 8 and a quarter so hopefully it will keep going down.
Hope for a good last week.
Jackson

Max Chmielinski - Week 2

Hi Guys, This week was chalk full of facts. I learned three new moves this week: the roundhouse, the blunt, and the kickflip. I pulled off a kickflip in Friday's rodeo. On thursday we went to the Gat river in southern Quebec. I went over my first 15 foot wave. I have never done anything that big nor will I have the chance again for a very long time. If you look closely at the picture on the right you will see my tiny head in the center of the shot. Unfortunetally High tension was not in. In the spirit of facts, I learned that Nick Troutman is terrible at Chess. Here he is shown getting his butt whopped by Zach Zwanenburg, our youngest paddler. All of our coaches here: Nick Troutman, Clay Wright, Joel Kovalski, Chris Bucksey are all awesome people and instructors. I can't wait for you guys to get up here. Getting impatient Max Chmielinski

Farewell

This week was my fourth and final week as a keener, and now it's time for me to say goodbye. I had a fun summer here on the Ottawa River and I learned alot. Though the river level didn't vary alot while I was here, I did get to surf Buseater and go to the Gatneau River twice. I had a great time and I hope to be back on the Ottawa again soon.
Jackson